Sports
DHQ Clarifies Facts About Canada Visas Denials to Invictus Games
Furthermore, the participation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, would have added mental strength to our troops.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier -General Tukur Gusau, Defence Headquarters, this morning, presented the fact regarding Nigeria Military’s request for visas to attend Invictus Games in Canada.
In a statement, Brig. Gen Gusau, said that the need for accurate information at this time can not be overemphasized.
He explained: “Recently, the Nigerian Military received an invitation to participate in the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.
Our team, comprising 3 officers and 21 players, including a team physiotherapist, eagerly looked forward to this opportunity, as the only African nation participating in the Games.
The Invictus Games Foundation catered for our team’s accommodation and feeding needs, along with those of other participating nations.
However, despite our best efforts, only 14 members of the team, excluding the team leader, captain, and physiotherapist, were granted visas.
Regrettably, seven of our athletes who had the potential to excel were denied visas, preventing them from participating in the Games.
Notwithstanding this setback, our team’s outstanding performance earned Nigeria gold, silver and bronze medals, proudly placing our nation and Africa on the global map of Invictus Games.
Furthermore, the participation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, would have added mental strength to our troops.
It is on record that the Chief of Defence Staff has initiated laudable efforts to boost the morale of our service personnel who risk their lives to protect our nation and its people.
The Invictus Foundation Centre,(first in Africa) currently under construction, is part of this initiative to provide care and mental healing for our wounded personnel.”
Sports
Nigeria petitions ITTF over Romania visa denial
Nigeria had qualified to represent Africa in the boys’ U-19 and U-15 team events after emerging as continental champions at the African Youth Championships in Lagos.
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has formally petitioned the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) after its players were denied entry visas to compete at the ongoing 2025 World Youth Championships in Romania.
In a letter signed by NTTF President Adesoji Tayo, the federation condemned the visa refusal, calling it a violation of the principles of international sportsmanship, inclusivity, and fair participation that the ITTF and its partners uphold.
“As an official representative of Nigeria and Africa in this prestigious global event, I firmly believe that the reasons provided for the visa refusal are unjust, discriminatory, and contrary to the spirit of unity which international sports is designed to foster,” Tayo stated.
Despite weeks of rigorous training by players and coaches, the visa denial has dampened the contingent’s morale and resulted in financial losses for the federation.
Nigeria had qualified to represent Africa in the boys’ U-19 and U-15 team events after emerging as continental champions at the African Youth Championships in Lagos.
Sports
FIFA president Infantino to receive Lebanese citizenship
Infantino, 55, is a Swiss-Italian national married to a Lebanese woman, Leena al-Ashqar, who used to work for the LFA.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun informed FIFA President Gianni Infantino of his approval to grant him Lebanese citizenship on Tuesday, the head of the Lebanese Football Association told AFP.“
The President informed (Infantino) of the decree and the requirements of the file in order to complete its implementation,” Hashem Haidar, head of the Lebanese Football Association (LFA), said.
“The decree granting citizenship to Infantino came as he is a public figure who provides services to Lebanon.”
Infantino, 55, is a Swiss-Italian national married to a Lebanese woman, Leena al-Ashqar, who used to work for the LFA.
“I don’t have it yet, but soon. I feel very good and very proud, I feel very happy,” Infantino told Lebanese channel LBCI.
“I am Lebanese since many many years already, so it’s good that we formalise this as well.”
Sports
CAF Awards: Super Falcons win 2025 women’s team of the year
This marks the team’s seventh CAF Women’s National Team of the Year award, having previously won in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and consecutively in 2023, 2024, and now 2025.
Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons, have been named the Women’s National Team of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards held on Wednesday, November 19, in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s national team, claimed the honour after a remarkable year in which they secured a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
Nigeria defeated hosts Morocco 3–2 in a dramatic final, showcasing their pedigree, depth, and resilience.
This marks the team’s seventh CAF Women’s National Team of the Year award, having previously won in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and consecutively in 2023, 2024, and now 2025.
The Super Falcons beat strong contenders, Ghana’s Black Queens and Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, to clinch the award.The award further reaffirms the Super Falcons’ dominance on the continent.
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