Sports
FIFA U-20 World Cup: NFF Commends Flying Eagles
The Nigeria Football Federation has commended the Flying Eagles for giving a good account of themselves at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina.
After an impressive match at the tournament, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria were able to make it to the quarter-finals where they faced Korea Republic.
Two-time runners-up Nigeria dominated for large parts of the game but were eliminated from the tourney by a single goal on Sunday as the Korea Republic surged into the semi-finals for the second successive tournament.
The Flying Eagles, who eliminated hosts and six-time champions Argentina in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, created few chances despite passing the ball around the field quite well.
However, the lack of punch in the final third was the greatest undoing of the seven-time African champions.
NFF’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, on Monday in Abuja told NAN that the Flying Eagles gave their best at the world cup, adding that they did not disgrace the country.
“The Flying Eagles have done their very best. I can say they have not disgraced Nigeria.
“In every competition, there has to be a winner and there has to be a time when some teams will be eliminated.
“Yesterday, it wasn’t our day. The team played very well but the goals refused to come.
“So, I think we should take it in good fate and move forward.
“As I have always said, anytime we go for competitions, we go to fulfil God’s righteousness because whatever God has destined to happen will happen, you cannot change it.
“If you have looked at the game, you would know that it wasn’t our game at all.”
He said the team could have equalised towards the end of the full-time but the goal “refused to come.”
The NFF Scribe apologised to Nigerians for the failure of the team to progress to the semi-finals, stressing that the Flying Eagles gave 100 per cent.
“We want to say we are sorry to Nigerians who believed in the team that they could go all the way.
“Going by their progression and improvement from match to match, Nigerians expected us to defeat the Koreans.
“But as I said earlier, it wasn’t the wish of God. He did his wish and we were eliminated by the Koreans,” he added.
NAN
Sports
Sanwo-Olu Tasks Lagos Sports Trust Fund Board To Look Beyond State’s Funding
The Lagos State Government is spending heavily on sports, but it is never enough in a megacity of over 20 million people.
• Photo : Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday inaugurated the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund board at Lagos House, Marina.
The board is chaired by Enitan Oshodi, with Olaposi Agunbiade as Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer. Other members include Olabode Agoro, Adeniyi Adekoya, Gbolahan Onibuje, Jubril Gawat, Kikelomo Bolarinwa, Olayemi Sarumi, Lekan Fatodu, Moshood Ajide, and Ibrahim Adigun.
Sanwo-Olu tasks the board with leveraging members’ networks and expertise to build institutions supporting sports development for present and future generations.
The mandate is straightforward. Use your contacts, skills, and professional background to help fund sports and establish robust institutions in Lagos State,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu urged priority for grassroots programmes and rehabilitation of facilities, noting several government-funded projects required completion and improvement.
I implore you to deploy resources in grassroots and school sports that encourage growth across our divisions,” he added.
The governor said that the trust fund would bridge government and private sector participation in sports development.
“Organisations are willing to support, but reluctant to approach the government directly”, he said.
The board chairman, Oshodi said that the board would create sustainable funding pathways for infrastructure and athlete development.
“The Lagos State Government is spending heavily on sports, but it is never enough in a megacity of over 20 million people.
“We need facilities to support athletes. While the government is trying, the private sector must play a major role,” he said.
Sports
Mexico invests in robotic dogs for 2026 World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, with Monterrey among the host cities.
Photo: Robotic dogs
Mexican authorities have introduced robotic dogs to support police operations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the growing convergence of football, technology, and security investment.
The local council in Guadalupe, part of the Monterrey metropolitan area, invested approximately $145,000 in the robotic units as part of its World Cup security preparations.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, with Monterrey among the host cities.
A demonstration video released by the municipality shows one of the robots navigating an abandoned building, climbing stairs and transmitting live footage to officers positioned behind it
In a simulated scenario, the robot confronted an armed suspect and issued instructions via loudspeaker for him to drop his weapon.
Sports
2026 Lagos City Marathon on Saturday
The 42-kilometre race will commence at Ahmadu Bello Way by MRS Filling Station and proceed through the entire Coastal Road, which serves as the finishing point.
The Lagos State Government has announced traffic diversion plan ahead of the 2026 Lagos City Marathon scheduled for Saturday, February 14.
The government said that the diversion became necessary to ensure smooth conduct of the annual sporting event and to minimise disruption to movement across major routes in the state.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the marathon will feature two races, 42 kilometres and 10 kilometres, which will run simultaneously across designated routes.
He explained that the 42-kilometre race will commence at Ahmadu Bello Way by MRS Filling Station and proceed through the entire Coastal Road, which serves as the finishing point.
He added that the 10-kilometre race will begin at Durosimi Etti in Lekki Phase 1, passing through Ozumba Mbadiwe, Bishop Oluwole, Akin Adesola and terminate at Sanusi Fafunwa.
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