Sports
UNIDO Wins 16 Medals at United Nations Inter-Agency Games 2026
Jointly hosted by the Vienna-based organizations, with the strong support and engagement of UNIDO, the Games welcomed participants from across the UN system for several days of competition in a wide range of sporting disciplines.
Image credit: UNIDO
United Nations Industrial Department Organization (UNIDO) wrapped up this year’s United Nations Inter-Agency Games winning a total of 16 medals — 7 Gold, 6 Silver, and 3 Bronze — through competitions involving both UNIDO and joint inter-agency teams.
The game held in Crete, Greece, brought together colleagues from across the UN system in a long-standing tradition of friendship, exchange and healthy competition, highlighting the role of sport in strengthening cooperation and collegiality.
Jointly hosted by the Vienna-based organizations, with the strong support and engagement of UNIDO, the Games welcomed participants from across the UN system for several days of competition in a wide range of sporting disciplines.
First established more than five decades ago, the Inter-Agency Games have grown into one of the largest and longest-standing staff initiatives within the UN family, bringing together around 1,500 participants and supporters from agencies worldwide.
UNIDO recorded its highest level of participation to date, reflecting the dedication, discipline, and commitment of colleagues who trained throughout the year in preparation for the event.
Beyond the results themselves, the Games provided an opportunity for colleagues from different agencies, professional backgrounds and duty stations to connect in an informal and collaborative environment.
Throughout the event, UNIDO participants demonstrated a strong spirit of fair play, professionalism and mutual respect both on and off the field of play.
UNIDO played an active role in supporting the organization of the 2026 edition alongside fellow Vienna-based organizations, reflecting the strong culture of cooperation that underpins the multilateral community in Vienna.
The Games also highlighted the continued collaboration between the Staff Union and the Administration in promoting sport, health and mental well-being as important elements of a positive and inclusive workplace culture with benefits extending well beyond the sporting arena.
UNIDO remains proud to support the Inter-Agency Games and the values they represent, including teamwork, excellence, inclusion and international cooperation.
(Industrial Times Ngr)
Sports
Mbappé wins Onze d’Or award for 2025/26 season
The Spanish club announced the award on Monday, October 19, saying Mbappé received 48.2 per cent of the votes to claim the honour for the first time in his career.
•Kylian Mbappé
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has won the Onze d’Or award for the best player of the 2025/26 season, following a vote by readers of French magazine Onze Mondial.
The Spanish club announced the award on Monday, October 19, saying Mbappé received 48.2 per cent of the votes to claim the honour for the first time in his career.
Paris Saint-Germain players João Neves and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia finished second and third, with 11.9 per cent and 10.8 per cent of the votes, respectively, according to Real Madrid.
In a statement published on its official website, the club said the French forward was the leading scorer in both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga during the 2025/26 season.
Sports
Ronaldo Gets 30-Day Suspension For Portugal Camp Walkout
Ronaldo’s suspension takes effect from the day of the Denmark match, meaning he has already served 19 days of his ban and will complete it by the end of October.
•Cristiano Ronaldo /AFP
Federação Portuguesa de Futebol (FPF), the official governing body of football in Portugal on Monday handed Cristiano Ronaldo a 30-day suspension for leaving the Portuguese national team camp during the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) nations league.
The 41-year-old left the Portugal camp on September 30, before accusing coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word about giving him game time.
Ronaldo apologised to supporters earlier in October, adding he would accept any punishment that was imposed.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, who will also have to pay a fine of 255 euros ($286), has received the minimum penalty provided for in the federation’s regulations, which stipulate suspensions of between one and six months for leaving the national team.
Ronaldo left Portugal’s squad after first being made to warm up as a substitute against Norway on September 27 and not brought on, and then finding out he would not start against Denmark in the match on October 1.
Ronaldo’s suspension takes effect from the day of the Denmark match, meaning he has already served 19 days of his ban and will complete it by the end of October.
Sports
CAF Increases Annual Funding for Member Federations to $700,000
The funding has climbed in stages. It stood at $200,000 in 2021, rose to $400,000, then to $525,000, and now sits at $700,000.
•CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has raised the maximum annual subvention available to each of its 54 member associations to $700,000.
The new figure is a 33% increase on the previous allocation of $525,000.
The adjustment continues a steady rise in direct funding to national football governing bodies under CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe.
Under the revised framework, each member association will now receive up to $700,000 yearly.
Across all 54 federations, the maximum annual allocation could reach about $37.8 million.
The difference of $175,000 per federation adds up to roughly $9.45 million in potential extra annual funding across the continent.
That gives CAF a bigger financial footprint in football development programmes.
Since 2021, the annual allocation per member association has moved from $200,000 to $700,000, a 250% growth over four years.
The funding has climbed in stages. It stood at $200,000 in 2021, rose to $400,000, then to $525,000, and now sits at $700,000. In four years, CAF has added $500,000 to what each federation can access annually.
