Nigeria’s growing influence in global athletics administration has received a major boost following the appointment of Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (Rtd) as an International Referee for the World Athletics Relays, Gaborone 2026. The event is scheduled to be held from May 2 to May 3 in Botswana.

The historic appointment makes Nesiama the first Nigerian ever to be entrusted with a refereeing role at the World Athletics Relays, one of the most prestigious competitions on the World Athletics calendar.

His engagement was confirmed in a formal communication from the Local Organising Committee of the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026 and made available yesterday in Abuja.

The confirmation was in recognition of his “expertise” and the confidence World Athletics places in his ability to uphold fairness, professionalism, and technical excellence. For many within the athletics fraternity, the appointment comes as no surprise.

A highly respected authority in athletics officiating and competition management, Nesiama served as Referee at the 2024 African Games in Accra, Ghana, where he played a pivotal role in delivering seamless technical operations at one of Africa’s biggest multi-sport events.

In addition to officiating, he was also appointed as a World Athletics certified lecturer to train Ghanaian technical officials ahead of the Games, further underlining the international trust in his competence and depth of knowledge.

Nesiama is a former Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and currently serves as the Chairman of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Technical and Development Commission, where he continues to influence policy direction and technical growth in Nigerian sports.

He is also a respected member of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Technical and Competitions Commission, contributing to the development and standardisation of athletics competitions across the continent. Over the years, he has built an impressive résumé that transcends borders.

He has functioned as a Sports Management Consultant, Competition Director, Technical Delegate, World Athletics certified Lecturer, and Silver Level Referee, officiating at numerous national and international championships.

As a prelude to his assignment at the World Relays, Nesiama has also been invited to officiate at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix, scheduled to take place a week before the World Relays.

The meet serves as a key test event ahead of the global competition, further demonstrating the confidence placed in his expertise.

His latest appointment not only underscores his individual excellence but also marks a significant milestone for Nigerian athletics administration.

It signals growing international recognition of Nigerian technical officials and their capacity to operate at the highest levels of global sport.

Tottenham Hotspur are in a relegation battle, said former England captain Wayne Rooney.

A 2-0 defeat by Manchester United stretched their winless Premier League run to seven games to leave Thomas Frank’s side 15th in the table and only six points above the relegation zone.

Spurs finished 17th last season leading to the dismissal of manager Ange Postecoglou, even after winning the Europa League.

“You’d have to say they are in a relegation battle with their current form,” said the ex-United striker on The Wayne Rooney Show.

“West Ham have been in form, Nottingham Forest pick up results here and there.

“You can’t think that they’re not in a relegation battle where they are.

Captain Cristian Romero was sent off in the first half at Old Trafford for a late lunge on Casemiro, his sixth dismissal in a Spurs shirt.

“I can see why it’s been given but I think it’s a little bit harsh,” said Rooney.

“Sometimes you lose your head at times. And I think he’s done that throughout his time at Tottenham.”

It came days after Romero’s social media post which seemed to criticise the people who run the club when he said it was “disgraceful” they only had 11 fit players for a 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

“What doesn’t help is comments in the week before about the lack of players Tottenham have,” added Rooney.

“He clearly speaks his mind as well. But unfortunately, you’ve got to go and back that up with performances when you’re vocal like that – and I don’t think he’s done that. All that’s going to do is bring more pressure on Thomas Frank.”

Rooney has sympathy for Frank, who managed Brentford for seven years before moving across London last summer to replace Postecoglou.

“I feel for Thomas Frank because he looks tired, he looks like he’s aged 10 years,” he said.

“That’s what that Tottenham job has done to him in a short period of time. I hope they stick with him because he’s fantastic manager, but I think it’s going be very difficult for them to do that.

“And you don’t need your captain going out getting sent off on a regular basis or being as vocal as he was this week.”

Snooker legend and BBC commentator John Virgo has died, aged 79.

Virgo enjoyed an 18-year professional career, winning the UK Championship and reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship in 1979.

He is perhaps best known for his post-playing career, presenting popular snooker TV show Big Break alongside comedian Jim Davidson from 1991 to 2002.

Following his retirement from playing in 1994, Virgo became a BBC commentator.

His last commentary for the BBC came 17 days ago when Kyren Wilson beat John Higgins in the Masters final.

Virgo was a popular commentator, with his famous “where’s the cue ball going?” catchphrase when a player was close to committing a foul.

Players and officials held a minute’s silence at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan said: “Finished my match to get the news that JV has passed away.

“Such a great mate who I loved spending time with. Absolutely gutted.”

Four-time world champion Mark Selby said: “So sad to hear the news of the passing of John Virgo! Such a great guy and a huge character! He will be greatly missed! RIP JV.”

Former world champion Shaun Murphy, who worked alongside Virgo for the BBC, said: “I first met John in 1994, filming Junior Big Break. He then went on to become a friend and colleague.

“I learned so much from him whilst sharing a commentary box. The voice of snooker will be sadly missed.”

Virgo regularly took part in exhibition matches, playing trick shots and performing impressions of other players.

Former world champion Neil Robertson said: “He was a great character and an amazing pundit and commentator.

“I had the pleasure of sharing the booth with him during the World Championship a couple of years ago in which I got a huge appreciation for how good he was.”

A World Snooker statement read: “Everyone at the World Snooker Tour is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary snooker player and broadcaster John Virgo.”

Former world number three Neal Foulds said: “Terribly sad news that we have lost one of the greats of snooker in John Virgo.

“JV was incredibly generous, kind and funny. He was also a wonderful player and commentator. Thanks for all the great memories JV.”

Virgo, who was born in Salford in 1946, is survived by wife Rosie and children Gary and Brooke-Leah.

John was a tremendous competitor and a very good break-builder – brilliant among the pink and black. He knew the game inside and out and backwards.

Then he transcended the sport and went into the commentary box. He did Big Break with Jim Davidson, so he became a household name to everybody.

It was that voice which was very different to everyone else and made him stand out.

You could have a right laugh with him – he loved a joke.

He had a really good act and he did impersonations of Alex Higgins, Terry Griffiths, Cliff Thorburn – and they all loved it.

It was unusual for someone to do that at the end of an exhibition, but he was absolutely brilliant at it.

I’m sure when we give him a tribute at the Crucible [for the World Championship in April] they will show his impressive routine, which is just hilarious.

He was a brilliant character.