Sports
Gov Mbah Runs 10km, as East Africans Clear Elite Prizes in 1st Enugu Int’l Marathon
… Mbah promises continuous improvement
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Saturday, participated in the 1st Enugu City International Marathon, completing the 10km road race in 45 minutes, while East African athletes cleared the first, second, and third positions in the elite 42km full marathon.
The event, which was supervised by the World Athletics represented by Nadeem Khan, who is also the President of International Ultra Runners; President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria led by its President, Chief Tony Okowa and the 1st Vice President, Nigerian Olympic Committee, Chief Solomon Ogba, drew participants from Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Nigerians, who trooped out in their numbers to compete for the prizes.
In the female elite category, Shaoline Chepriroi of Kenya finished in 2:44:37 (Two hours, forty-four minutes, thirty-seven seconds) to clinch the premium prize of $15,000, Tilahu Birul of Ethiopia finished in 2:45:10 (Two hours, forty-five minutes, 10 seconds) to place second and walk away with $10,000 prize money, while Rita Busiengy of finished in 2:47:17 (Two hours, 48 minutes, seventeen seconds) to finish third, earning her $5,000.
Nigeria’s Blessing Shambo completed the 42 kilometres in 2:48:04 (Two hours, forty-eight minutes, four seconds) to finish fourth and place first among Nigerian female elite runners and went home with N1 million, while Charity Agofure and Elizabeth Pam finished in 2:55:03 (Two hours, fifty-five minutes, three seconds) and 3:01:45 (Three hours, one minute, forty-five seconds) to clinch the second and third prices, respectively, in the Nigerian elite runners category. Agofure and Pam got N750,000 and N500,000, accordingly, for their efforts.
In the men’s category, Ken Kopos of Kenya, ran the 42km in 2:22:32 (Two hours, twenty-two minutes, thirty-two seconds) to claim the star prize of $15,000, while his compatriots, Steve Baswey and Bernard Sang placed second and third, respectively, to earn themselves $10,000 and $5,000, accordingly.
Davou Gyang finished in 2:29:03 (Two hours, twenty-nine minutes, three seconds) to emerge Nigeria’s best in the elite category, beating compatriot Boyi Nyango with just three seconds, while Iliya Pam placed third. They got cash prizes of N1 million, N750,000, and N500,000, respectively.
Lydia Akusho, Esther Afigbo, and Mwantiti Davou came first, second, and third, respectively in the women’s category of the 10km Road Race, while Francis James, Iliya Raymond, and Boyi Gang placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the male category.
While congratulating the winners and participants, Mbah assured of continued improvement of the sporting event, noting that Enugu City International Marathon was in line with his administration’s vision to position Enugu State as the premier destination for investment, business, tourism, and for living.
“What we have just witnessed is a spectacular event. It is a testament to the power of sports. Remember that I told you all that participated in our last year’s Enugu City Half Marathon that we are going to make the Enugu City International Marathon, an international event. Have we not done that?
“The International Marathon attracted elite runners across Africa. We have long distance runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea. Next year, we are going to attract elite runners from across the world, not just Africa. Our objective is to make the Enugu City International Marathon a major highlight in the calendar of the World Athletic. The world will be watching.
“Meanwhile, what you are witnessing is not a happenstance. It is connecting the dots. When we said that we were going to attract three million visitors every year and make Enugu state the premier destination for tourism, these are all part of the dots. Sports, for us, is beyond recreation. It is a serious business.
“We are going to make sure that through our sporting event, we are going to nurture talents, dreams will be born, goals will be achieved, and talents will blossom. We will be able to attract a lot of businesses. That means our business will thrive. People will come to Enugu and they will spend their money,” Mbah stated
He commended and thanked the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu and his team as well as the consultants led by Yetunde Olopade, who is the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, as well as the security agencies, among others for putting up a great show.
Meanwhile, the flag-off was also witnessed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and former governor of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, while the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, federal and state lawmakers, as well as commissioners and other officials of the state government came out in their numbers to participate.
Also, veteran actor, Nkem Owo, was among the celebrities that took part in the exercise, while music artiste, Kcee, thrilled the crowd at Okpara Square, the finishing point and venue of the closing ceremonies.
A football referee in Brazil has reportedly issued 51 red cards following a mass brawl involving players and officials during a youth football match between Uberlandia and Mamore.
The incident occurred during a Minas Gerais Under-20 Second Division encounter on Sunday, with the confrontation reportedly lasting about 40 minutes before military police intervened.
According to Brazilian newspaper O Tempo, the violence erupted in the 54th minute after Mamore player Davi allegedly taunted the opposing team’s bench while celebrating his side’s third goal.
The situation reportedly escalated when Uberlandia’s goalkeeping coach, Paulo Sérgio Dias Dos Santos, ran onto the pitch to confront the player.
A video of the incident, which went viral on Thursday, showed the scale of the chaotic confrontation.
Chairs and stretchers were allegedly used as weapons during the melee, while the referee’s report claimed that ball boys representing Uberlandia also joined the violence, throwing punches and kicks.
The match official, Drosghic Modesto, further alleged that he received death threats and other threats of violence from different individuals following the incident. He subsequently filed a police report over the threats.
The match was suspended for 40 minutes before it was eventually abandoned.
The referee reportedly issued 51 red cards, comprising 43 players and eight members of the two teams’ technical crews.
According to Guinness World Records, the previous record for the highest number of red cards in a single football match was 36, recorded during an Argentine Primera D fixture in 2011.
The latest incident has drawn attention to the disturbing level of violence that can erupt during football matches.
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 41, bringing an end to his 23-year career with the national team.
Ronaldo announced his decision on Thursday in a video shared on his official Instagram account, expressing gratitude to the Portuguese people for their support throughout his international career.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made 234 appearances for Portugal, scoring 146 goals to become the country’s all-time leading scorer and the highest goalscorer in men’s international football.
In his retirement message, Ronaldo said it was time to hand over the iconic number seven jersey to the next generation of Portuguese players.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons players have received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each, while members of the technical crew and officials received $50,000 each, following the fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s financial pledge to the team for winning the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The National Sports Commission (NSC) announced the payment in a statement on Monday, describing it as the completion of the financial component of the presidential reward package for the team’s record-extending 10th continental title.
The players had earlier received title documents for their three-bedroom apartments in Abuja, alongside certificates of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, commended President Tinubu for fulfilling his promise, describing the gesture as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to recognising sporting excellence.
“The Super Falcons made Nigeria proud, and Mr President has honoured his commitment to them in full. This means a great deal to the team and to Nigerian sports,” Dikko said.
He expressed appreciation to the President for ensuring that the promised rewards were delivered within a short period.
The commission attributed the successful payment to collaboration between the NSC and the Ministries of Finance, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and Housing and Urban Development.
Dikko noted that the fulfilment of the promise represented a departure from previous experiences in which Nigerian athletes had to wait several years before receiving rewards announced by the government.
He urged Nigerian athletes to draw encouragement from the development, assuring them that their sacrifices and achievements would be recognised.
The Super Falcons clinched their 10th WAFCON title in July 2025 after staging a remarkable comeback from two goals down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final in Rabat.
Tinubu announced the reward package during a presidential reception for the team on July 28, 2025, promising each player the naira equivalent of $100,000 and members of the technical crew $50,000 each.
He also promised the team three-bedroom apartments and national honours.
The development follows a similar reward arrangement for Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, whose players received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each in September 2026 after winning their fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket title in 2025.
Members of the basketball team’s technical crew and officials also received $50,000 each, alongside housing documents and OON certificates.
In December 2025, the Federal Government also presented housing title documents and national honours to members of the Super Eagles following their silver-medal finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
…Beats Mbappe, Yamal after remarkable 73-goal season
England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has been crowned the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, becoming the first English footballer in 25 years to claim football’s most prestigious individual award.
Kane received the honour at a ceremony in London on Monday night, beating Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, who finished second and third respectively.
The 33-year-old striker secured the award following an extraordinary campaign in which he scored 73 goals for club and country, establishing himself as one of the world’s most prolific forwards.
His victory ends England’s long wait for the coveted prize, with former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Michael Owen being the last Englishman to win it in 2001.
Kane also joins an exclusive list of English winners, including Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan.
An emotional Kane, who received the trophy from Brazilian football legend Ronaldo, described the achievement as a dream come true.
“Wow, I’m almost speechless,” he said while accepting the award.
He expressed appreciation to Bayern Munich, the England national team and his former club Tottenham Hotspur for their contributions to his football journey.
Reflecting on his rise from difficult loan spells to becoming the world’s best footballer, Kane encouraged young players never to abandon their ambitions.
“For any young boy or girl who wants to achieve their dream, anything is possible,” he said.
The England captain’s achievement attracted widespread congratulations, including tributes from England manager Thomas Tuchel and Prince William.
Tuchel described the recognition as richly deserved, saying Kane’s exceptional performances had finally received the global acknowledgement they merited.
Prince William also hailed Kane as a remarkable player and inspirational captain who had given football supporters unforgettable moments.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal claimed the Men’s Young Talent of the Year award, while Spain’s Alexia Putellas secured her third Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Kane completed a memorable night by also winning the Men’s Striker of the Year award.
Other winners included Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, who emerged as Men’s Coach of the Year, while Paris Saint-Germain claimed the Men’s Club of the Year award.
Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award in recognition of his humanitarian contributions.
2026 Ballon d’Or Top 10
Harry Kane – Bayern Munich/England
Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid/France
Lamine Yamal – Barcelona/Spain
Rodri – Manchester City/Barcelona/Spain
Lionel Messi – Inter Miami/Argentina
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – PSG/Georgia
Ousmane Dembele – PSG/France
Erling Haaland – Manchester City/Norway
Michael Olise – Bayern Munich/France
Fabian Ruiz – PSG/Spain
Kane’s triumph represents another milestone in a remarkable career that has seen him rise from Tottenham’s academy to become one of the most celebrated goalscorers in world football.
By Chinedu Adonu
The 9th edition of the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly and ALGON Grassroots Boxing Talent Hunt has produced five new talents for national and international competitions.
The 2026 finals, held at the premises of the Post Primary Schools Management Board, PPSMB, Enugu, saw the emergence of Maxwell Anikwe, 50kg, Nkanu West; Jude Ugwuanyi, 60kg, Nsukka; Hilary Favour, 55kg, female, Enugu North; Peter Abonyi, 50kg, Isi-Uzo; and Kingsley Ossai, 49kg, Isi-Uzo.
Declaring the championship open, the South-East Coordinator of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Bernard Ezema, commended the Speaker and ALGON for promoting grassroots boxing, saying such initiatives provide platforms for discovering athletes for local and international competitions.
“The grassroots is where we get our talents. We appreciate the Speaker’s effort and vision,” Ezema said, urging the young boxers to strive for mastery.
Also, the Chairman of PPSMB, Rev. Fr. Hilary Mgbodile, commended the Speaker for his interest in catching young talents early, noting that the board partnered with the programme to ensure its success.
The sponsor of the talent hunt, Hon. Uche Ugwu, said Enugu had a large pool of youths who needed to be discovered and empowered through sports.
“Boxing is a very lucrative business just like football. Talents are there waiting and we want to harness them,” he said.
Coordinator of the Speaker’s ENHA Grassroots Boxing event, Mazi Ikechukwu Okonkwo, said the programme had, over the years, provided a platform where young athletes could combine passion with discipline.
He said boxing promotes physical fitness, self-control and self-defence, while also providing career and financial opportunities for talented youths.
“Boxing can take a young athlete from local streets to international arenas, creating sustainable livelihoods and lifting whole families out of tough circumstances,” Okonkwo said.
One of the newly discovered talents, Ugwuanyi, said he had developed a strong interest in boxing and identified late boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, as his role model.
Favour, the female discovery from Enugu North, said although boxing was often seen as unusual for girls, she had nursed the ambition to become a boxer from childhood.
She said boxer Makintosh inspired her interest in the sport and expressed her determination to pursue a career in boxing.
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