World soccer governing body, FIFA, has opened its major Africa office in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, further confirming the North African country as the hub of its operation on the continent.

The new office will coordinate with existing FIFA regional offices in Brazzaville, Dakar, Johannesburg and Kigali, in directing and implementing key policies for the development of African football across all levels.

The state-of-the-art office at the Mohammed VI Complex aims to strengthen support for African federations in their development projects and further reflects FIFA’s desire to establish a lasting presence on the continent.

The opening of the office follows a signing of a Host Agreement last December in Marrakech between the key stakeholders: FIFA, the Kingdom of Morocco and Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

Rabat becomes the latest city to host a FIFA office after Paris, Miami and Jakarta, and reinforces FIFA’s engagement with all regions and affirms commitment to developing football across the globe.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “Today is certainly a wonderful day, it’s a special day, a glorious day, a joyful day.

We will write, in gold letters, the wonderful history of FIFA, of football in Africa, of football in Morocco, of football in the world.

“It’s an incredible and beautiful complex, and I want to start by thanking Morocco, thanking His Majesty King Mohammed VI, for making this possible.

“It is witness to a country that is projected into the future, to a continent that is projected into the future, and to the work that all of us do for this incredible sport.”

Hulk Hogan, the iconic face of professional wrestling in the 1980s who parlayed his prowess in the ring into an acting career, has died at the age of 71, US media reported today.

Hogan — known for his towering 6’7″ (two-meter) physique, bandana and distinctive blond handlebar mustache — died at his home in Florida, NBC News reported, citing his manager Chris Volo.

TMZ also reported the news, citing unnamed sources.

• Ezechukwu -middle ( first) Nwankwo (second) Sigah (third)

At the packed MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Sunday, Miracle Ezechukwu stormed to victory in the CAA African U-18/U-20m girls’ final having won three gold medals of the championship with a personal best of 23.87s.

Her compatriots Chigozie Nwankwo and Perezide Sigah finished second and third, respectively, recording 24.01s and 24.26s, to complete an emphatic Nigerian 1-2-3.

Ezechukwu, who also clinched gold in the 100m earlier in the event, described the championships as a dream come true and expressed her gratitude to her coach and the organisers.

Moments after the U-18 triumph, Nigeria repeated the feat in the U-20 women’s 200m final as Success Oyibu led another clean sweep for the host nation when she blazed to a new personal best of 23.56s.

She was closely followed by U-20 100m champion Chioma Cynthia Nweke (23.95s) and Lucy Nwankwo (24.24s) to ensure Nigeria captured all six medals available across both female sprint categories.

Oyibu credited her performance to divine guidance and her camp’s preparation.

Earlier in the day, Nigeria won a protest regarding its U-20 men’s 4x100m relay team.

After initial claims of an exchange outside the zone, the Confederation of African Athletics ruled in Nigeria’s favour, awarding the quartet of Saliu Toyeeb, Joachim Uyovwiyoma, John Caleb and Malik Oluwatobi the gold medal, which earned Nigeria’s third consecutive title in the event.