SPORTS
World Athletics Championships: NOC Comforts Amusan

The Board of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) on Saturday urged Tobi Amusan to work harder following her inability to defend her title at the ongoing World Athletics Championships.
In a statement signed by Tony Nezianya, Public Relations Officer, NOC, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Habu Gumel, NOC’s president, described Amusan’s loss as a temporary setback.
He noted that losing the 100m hurdles title must have been tough for Amusan.
“We at the NOC are reaching out to offer you, Amusan, some comforting words in the light of your race yesterday in Budapest at which you lost out in the finals, placing 6th in 12.
62 secs.“Although you may have faced disappointment in failing to defend your 100-meter hurdle, we want you to know that all is not lost.
“We are consoled with the fact that your 12.12 seconds world record set at Oregon, U.S., is intact.
“We know you have been under considerable pressure lately. Do not lose your focus as the 2024 Paris Games are still a year ahead of you,” he said.
Gumel further said the outcome of the race should not be the end of the world, adding it did not define Amusan’s talents or abilities.
“Competing at such a high level comes with its fair share of ups and downs, victories and setbacks. It is through these challenging moments that we grow and discover our true resilience.
“Tobi, you have shown incredible strength throughout your career, and this setback will only serve as another stepping stone on your path to success.
“Remember, the most successful athletes have faced defeats but have managed to bounce back even stronger.
“It is during these difficult times that you develop the mental fortitude and discipline necessary to overcome obstacles,” he said.
The NOC president urged Amusan to use this experience as an opportunity to learn, refocus, and refine her strategies for future races.
“Embrace this setback as an opportunity for growth and use it to fuel your fire. Your comeback will be nothing short of extraordinary,” he said.
NAN reports that Amusan was under a provisional suspension over whereabouts, but the ban was lifted just two days ahead of the start of the Budapest Championships. (NAN)
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.
SPORTS
Super Falcons’ Nnadozie Nominated for Ballon d’Or Best Goalkeeper Award

Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been nominated for the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy, the Ballon d’Or award for the best female goalkeeper.
The 24-year-old recently joined Brighton Women FC from Paris FC after helping the French side win their first major title in nearly two decades.
Nnadozie delivered a heroic performance in the final of the 2025 Coupe de France Féminine, where Paris FC edged Paris Saint-Germain 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw at Stade de l’Épopée in Calais.She was also instrumental in Nigeria’s success at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where the Super Falcons secured a record-extending 10th continental crown against host nation, Morocco.
Her standout displays earned her the Best Goalkeeper award and a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Other nominees for the Yachine Trophy include Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC), Cata Coll (Barcelona Femeni), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea Women) and Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal Women).
SPORTS
Super Falcons Maintain 36th Position in Latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking

Nigeria’s Super Falcons maintained 36th position in the latest FIFA women’s world ranking.
The latest ranking was released on FIFA’s official website yesterday.
While the Super Falcons remain the number one team in Africa, WAFCON 2024 runners-up Morocco are third on the continent and dropped to 64th spot in the world.
Former WAFCON champions Banyana Banyana of South Africa maintained 54th place in the world and second in Africa.
Ghana’s Black Queens who claimed third place at the WAFCON dropped to 67th position in the global ranking.
The Super Falcons recently won their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after coming from 2-0 down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final.
Second half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi and substitute Jennifer Echegini completed the turnaround.
Okoronkwo, scored a goal and provided two assists against the Moroccans was Named Player of the Match.
Chiamaka Nnadozie was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament while Captain Rasheedat Ajibade won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Meanwhile, World champions Spain (1st, up 1) had an impressive run to the final of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 with five back-to-back wins, which was enough to see them reclaim top spot in the ranking, a position they previously held from December 2023 to June 2024.
The USA (2nd, down 1) have therefore been knocked off their perch, which they had occupied since August 2024.
However, three convincing home wins in friendlies during this period have kept the USA in contention, and they are now sitting less than two points behind Spain.
The top 10 has been shaken up completely since the June edition of the ranking, with France (6th, up 4) performing best among them.
France completed a flawless group stage at the European Championship before falling to Germany in the quarter-finals.
The next edition of the Women’s World Ranking will be published on 11 December 2025.