Author: Favour Olatunbosun

For the first time, the Oakleaf Fitness Fiesta is heading to Abuja on Saturday, October 4, with a mission to promote healthy living and active lifestyles in the nation’s capital. The event will take place at Monoliza Amusement Park, Dikko Road, starting at 8:00 am. Organisers expect between 400 and 500 participants, including fitness lovers, healthcare professionals, families, and anyone eager to live healthier. Explaining the choice of Abuja, Oakleaf Pharma Managing Director, Dipo Adetuyi, said the city’s energy and fitness culture made it the perfect host: “Abuja was a natural choice because it is the nation’s capital, a vibrant…

Anthony Joshua is set to fulfil his dream of fighting in Nigeria, with plans underway for his first-ever bout in Africa in early 2026. Promoter Dr. Ezekiel Adamu, CEO of Balmoral, revealed discussions with Joshua’s camp have been positive, and all parties are keen to make the homecoming fight a reality. “Joshua has always said that before he ends his career, he wants to fight in Nigeria, and we are going to make that fight happen,” Adamu told The Ring. The proposed venue is the 50,000-capacity Abuja Stadium, with Adamu insisting the fight will be an all-African contest. Potential opponents…

Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk says Victor Osimhen’s fitness remains uncertain after the striker missed their Champions League opener against Frankfurt. Osimhen picked up an injury during Nigeria’s clash with Rwanda on September 6 and has been sidelined since. Despite training lightly in recent days, Buruk confirmed the forward is not ready for competitive action. “Osimhen tried in practice for the last two days, but his feedback wasn’t enough to play,” Buruk explained. “The health of our players is very important. We didn’t include him in the squad based on his recovery.” The Nigerian, who scored 37 goals in 41 games…

The Lagos State Sports Commission has dismissed claims by some athletes that they were denied rewards for winning medals at the 2020 and 2022 National Sports Festivals. The protests came weeks after Lagos made history at the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba, topping the medal table with 51 gold, 31 silver, and 24 bronze medals, displacing Delta State. In response, the commission’s Director General, Lekan Fatodu, announced the dissolution of the ‘senior athletes’ group, a move he said was aimed at injecting fresh energy, discipline, and competitiveness into Lagos sports. Fatodu explained that the alleged promises of medal rewards…

Nigeria have dropped to 45th in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking, equaling their lowest position in six years. The Super Eagles slipped one place from 44th, marking their worst standing since June 2019 and remaining sixth in Africa behind Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and Côte d’Ivoire. FIFA said more than 200 international matches were considered in the September update. Nigeria’s struggles contributed heavily to the decline, with just two wins, two defeats, and a draw across five matches. At the African Nations Championship in Tanzania, the home-based side crashed out at the group stage after losses to Senegal and…

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Manchester United at Old Trafford, Maresca dismissed suggestions of unfair treatment. “I’ve been in Raheem’s situation and Axel’s situation as a player. I know it’s not the best feeling because every player wants to train and play. But the club is giving them the chance to work properly, and that’s all I can say. It’s the same everywhere in the world, if you’re not part of the squad, you’re not involved.” While FIFA rules prevent clubs from isolating players in abusive ways that could allow early contract termination, Maresca insisted Chelsea’s approach…

The 2025 Zenith Bank Final Eight playoffs are in full swing at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, and First Bank head coach Juliana Akhere has declared her ambition to lead the Elephant Girls to the league crown. First Bank booked their playoff ticket through the Atlantic Conference and have started strongly, winning their first two games. They defeated Bayelsa Blue Whales 53-36 on opening day and followed up with a 52-44 victory over Royal Aces of Abuja, moving closer to a semi-final spot. “For me, every game I go into, I go in with everything…

Cole Palmer insists Chelsea’s Champions League campaign is not a “learning curve”, stressing that the Blues want to compete immediately despite a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in their group opener at the Allianz Arena. The clash marked Chelsea’s first appearance in the competition since April 2023. While Bayern’s experience told, with goals coming after defensive lapses, Palmer underlined the team’s ambition: “We are not coming here for it to be a learning curve. We have shown tonight we want to compete and we want to do as best as we can,” the England forward said. Head coach Enzo Maresca…

Jake Wightman says close friend Josh Kerr would have joined him on the podium at the World Athletics Championships if not for the calf injury that wrecked his 1500m title defence in Tokyo. Wightman, the 2022 world champion, claimed silver on Thursday after being edged out by Portugal’s Isaac Nader in a dramatic finish. But the moment was bittersweet as Olympic silver medallist Kerr, the 2023 champion pulled up on the penultimate lap and limped home last. “Probably the saddest bit for me was I didn’t realise that was happening,” Wightman told BBC Scotland. “I sent him a message afterwards…

Inter Miami and Lionel Messi have reached an agreement to extend the Argentine superstar’s contract, keeping him in Major League Soccer beyond next year’s World Cup. The new deal means the 38-year-old will continue playing in the MLS through the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. An official announcement is expected within the next two weeks. The extension all but confirms that Messi will finish his career in the United States. Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 after a difficult spell at Paris Saint-Germain, following nearly two decades at Barcelona, where he…