SPORTS
AFN Begins National Trials March 29 for African, World Championships

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has concluded plans to hold national trials for the upcoming African and World championships.
The two-day event takes place on March 29 and March 30 in Port Harcourt.
This is made known in a letter signed by the AFN Director-General, Mr Young Pepple, and sent to state directors of sports and other stakeholders.
Pepple said that the trials were designed to select the best athletes that would representing Nigeria at the World Athletics Relays (Silesia, Poland), 22nd CAA African Senior Athletics Championship in (Algiers) and AA Region II Championships, (Kaduna), among others.
Pepple also said that the AFN was determined to select the best athletes and speed up their preparation for successful outings.
He said that athletes would represent Nigeria in all events except pole vault, 3000m, steeplechase, combined events and marathon.
Pepple gave the assurance that the federation would adhere to all COVID-19 protocols at the national trials.
“COVID -19 protocols will be strictly adhered to in order to ensure safety of all athletes and officials during the trials.
“In view of this, all athletes and afficials should come with face masks/face shields and hand sanitiser.
“Therefore, states/ clubs/institutions with eligible athletes are to send their entries to our official email: ngr@mf.worldathletics.org on or before 24th March, 2021, as submission of entries at the venue will not be considered,” he said. (NAN)
SPORTS
Tottenham Interested in Crystal Palace’s Eze

Tottenham FC are exploring a deal for Crystal Palace and England forward Eberechi Eze.
Thomas Frank is looking to bolster his options in the final third after attacking midfielder James Maddison was ruled out for the majority of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
South Korea forward Son Heung-min left the club after 10 years earlier this month having scored 173 goals in 454 appearances, while midfielder Dejan Kulusevski is still out after knee surgery.
Thus Eze has scored 14 goals across all competitions for Palace last season, including in their 1-0 win against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
The 27-year-old made his England debut in 2023 and has won 11 caps for the Three Lions, including three appearances at Euro 2024.
Tottenham are also in talks with Manchester City over a move for Savinhobut multiple sources have indicated that Eze is now emerging as a player of serious interest for Spurs.
There is no confirmation whether Tottenham will look to progress with deals for both Brazil winger Savinho and Eze.
Arsenal also have an interest in Eze but are currently looking at trying to move players on, with the likes of Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira set to leave.
However, it remains to be seen whether Tottenham’s active interest in Eze results in Arsenal accelerating a move for the England international.
Eze joined Palace from Queens Park Rangers in a deal worth £19.5m in 2020 and has scored 40 goals in 168 appearances.
His contract at Selhurst Park is due to expire in the summer of 2027.
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SPORTS
Liverpool Stepping up bid to Sign Palace’s Guehi

Liverpool are stepping up their attempts to sign Crystal Palace and England center-back Marc Guehi.
Palace captain Guehi has a year left on his contract, but Chairman Steve Parish said earlier this week he could be sold this summer to avoid him moving on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.
Sources have said that Liverpool have held initial talks with a view to signing the 25-year-old before the summer transfer window shuts.
Liverpool are also trying to sign Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni.
The 18-year-old Italian is not seen as a potential rival for Guehi but more as one for the future.
Guehi was the subject of bids worth up to £65m from Newcastle last year.
The FA Cup winners are believed to want £40m for him now, but Liverpool want to pay less than that.
The Reds have already spent about £270m this summer, though they have recouped about £170m through player sales.
They have also had a £110m bid for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle, though sources have said the Swede remains determined to move to Anfield.
Signing Guehi and Isak would take Liverpool’s summer spending above £400m.
SPORTS
Finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games Begin in Enugu

The finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games, on Thursday began in Enugu with the arrival and accreditation of athletes at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.
Dan Onwuegbuna, Director, Information, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Enugu State, said in a statement on Thursday that the games would be held between Aug.
7 and Aug. 10 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and the Enugu State Sports Council.“The games is designed to help the state discover talents to represent the state at the forthcoming U15 National Youth Games scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6,” he stated.
Onwuegbuna said that apart from representing the state at the Youth Games in Asaba, talented athletes discovered would represent the state in other competitions.
He quoted the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu as thanking Gov. Peter Mbah for approving the games.
Onwuegbuna said that the games was made possible following the collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the state Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB).
The games finals followed the outcome of the inter- Secondary Schools competitions held at the local government areas in the six Educational Zones in the State – Enugu, Agbani, Awgu, Udi, Nsukka and Udenu.
“The games will feature athletics, boxing, chess, basketball, volleyball, football, tennis and scrabble,” Onwuegbuna stated.