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.”

The 2025 edition of the annual 42km 2024 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has been once again dominated by East African runners from Kenya and Ethiopia.

Kenya’s Edwin Kibet on Saturday emerged winner in the men category, clocking a time of 2:14:06 to win the $50,000 price money.

Kibet came third last year behind his compatriot Bernard Sang who won it with a time of 02:16:49 and another Kenyan Cheprot who came second.

In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa emerged victorious.

More to follow…

A teenage Chinese player, who was previously part of Bayern Munich’s World Squad, has reportedly been diagnosed with ‘brain death’ following a match in Spain.

Guo Jiaxuan, an 18-year-old defender, was reportedly struck in the face by a knee during training camp last Thursday.

He had been playing in a training match against Spanish side RC Alcobendas at a camp organised by the Beijing Football Association.

His brother revealed on social media that Guo had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage – a form of stroke caused by bleeding on the brain – following the accidental collision.

Doctors in Madrid have diagnosed Guo with ‘brain death’, according to his brother.

‘During training [last Thursday], he was rushed to [hospital] after being hit in the head by another player’s knee,’ Guo’s brother wrote on social media.

From the interpreter, I learned that the doctor at the hospital said my brother had too much bleeding in his head and that there was little hope of survival… the hospital was going to remove his [life support] tubes.’

Guo’s father had reportedly refused the doctor’s suggestion to turn off his son’s life support and perform an autopsy, and has instead sought for him to be repatriated to China for further treatment.

The South China Morning Post reported that Guo’s family have accused the Beijing Football Association and his club Beijing Guoan of failing to cover his medical bills.

The family claimed the Beijing FA had failed to buy insurance for the trip.

The organisation has reportedly now reached an agreement to transport Guo to China and will support his continued treatment.

Guo had previously represented the Chinese national team at under-17 level and had been invited to train with Bayern Munich in 2023.

He had become part of Bayern Munich’s World Squad, an international project by the German giants aimed at developing promising players from around the world.

Following the match last week, Spanish side RC Alcobendas offered a message of support for Guo and his family.

‘From RC Alcobendas we want to express our deep concern for the player from the Beijing Football Association delegation who suffered an accident during the friendly match played this morning against our first team,’ the club wrote last week.