Local News

Max Verstappen takes dominant win for Red Bull

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen sent out a chilling message to his Formula 1 rivals with a crushing victory in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

He brushed off controversy surrounding his team principal Christian Horner to dominate after a brief challenge at the start from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen led team-mate Sergio Perez home ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.

Leclerc recovered from dropping to fifth early on to pass Mercedes’ George Russell for fourth in the closing laps.

The weekend in Bahrain had been dominated by Horner, who has been at the centre of a complaint of inappropriate behaviour from a female employee for the last month.

On Wednesday, the day before the on-track action started, Red Bull’s head office announced that the grievance had been dismissed.

An email containing a cache of messages purporting to involve Horner was sent to Formula 1 personnel and media less than 24 hours later.

After qualifying, Verstappen was asked twice whether he had full confidence in Horner as Red Bull team principal, and both times declined to give a definitive reply.

Horner’s wife, the former Spice Girl Horner, flew into Bahrain for the race, as the pair made what appeared to be a studied and calculated appearance for the cameras.

Red Bull’s main shareholder, the Thai businessman Chalerm Yoovidhya, also flew in for the race to offer public support for Horner. Yoovidhya declined to answer BBC Sport’s questions before the race.

Horner was asked before the grand prix by BBC 5 live pit-lane reporter Rosanna Tennant whether the messages were genuine and replied that he “couldn’t comment on messages from an anonymous sender”.

Verstappen, meanwhile, admitted after taking pole that Horner had been “of course a little bit distracted” but said that the controversy was “not our business” and that he was “focused on the performance”. And what a performance it was.

Total dominance from Verstappen

Verstappen went into the race as a strong favourite, after winning a closer-than-expected battle for pole position with Leclerc.

The three-time champion suffered a little wheelspin in the second phase of his start, which allowed the Ferrari driver to challenge on the outside at the first corner.

But Leclerc backed out on the exit and that was the end of the race for victory.

Verstappen pulled away from his pursuers at an average of around 0.8 seconds a lap to take total control of the race on his way to his 55th grand prix victory.

The race was all behind him, as Leclerc struggled in the early laps, frequently locking his front brakes, and coming under pressure from behind.

First Russell passed him, then Perez and Sainz.

Perez closed on Russell but had to wait until after their first pit stops to take second place behind Verstappen on lap 14, Sainz following him through four laps later.

Sainz kept Perez honest, but the Mexican was able to fend off the Spaniard to secure second place and a perfect start to the the season for the world champions.

After the first pit stops, Leclerc’s struggles reduced. He recovered some pace through the second stint, and after his final stop he closed in on Russell to challenge to Mercedes for fourth place.

Leclerc took the position after Russell locked his front brakes into Turn 10 on lap 46, as the Ferrari driver had done regularly when he was struggling in the first stint, and Leclerc was able to slip by along the straight to Turn 11.

McLaren’s Lando Norris was sixth ahead Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took eighth, with the Aston Martins of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll completing the points finishers in ninth and 10th.

Local News

Loveworld Incorporated Commits N50m To Support National Sports Commission’s Athletes Grants Initiative

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has received a significant boost for its Athletes Development Grant Initiative, with Loveworld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, pledging a ₦50 million support grant.

This commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the church to the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, at his office.

The delegation, led by Dr. Daystar Oyakhilome and Pastor T.T. Temisan, affirmed the church’s dedication to partnering with the NSC in advancing Nigerian sports.

Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General of the NSC, expressed profound gratitude for the generous support and swift alignment of the church with the commission’s vision.

“I want to thank Pastor Chris Oyakhilome for this gesture of love and collaboration from his church. This shows that religious bodies are beginning to understand the vision of Mr. President and the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, in building a sustainable sports economy driven primarily by the private sector,” he said.

He further emphasized the impact of the donation, noting, “This commitment is truly divine. To come forward and support our Athletes Grants with such a significant amount is commendable. This will take care of at least six indigenous athletes who struggle to represent our great country. I know the Chairman will be overwhelmed with gratitude, and I urge more people to emulate what Pastor Chris is doing.”

Dr. Daystar Oyakhilome highlighted the church’s readiness to support the commission in the areas of sports facility development and financial assistance across various sports.

“As a body of Christ, we believe our motto of ‘giving life a meaning’ should also be reflected in sports. This is why we are making this commitment, and we are open to doing even more to strengthen our relationship with the NSC as the apex body of sports in Nigeria,” he stated.

With this landmark contribution, Loveworld Incorporated reinforces the growing synergy the NSC seeks to build with organizations, including faith-based organizations, to drive forward Nigeria’s ambition for a thriving, private-sector-driven sports economy.

Local News

NYML/NLO Reschedules Annual General Assembly To February 5

The 2025 Nationwide League One (NYML/NLO) Annual General Assembly has been rescheduled.

Originally set for January 30, 2025, the assembly will now take place on February 5, 2025.

In a recent announcement from the media department of the league, it was noted that the assembly will be conducted virtually rather than in person.

This change aims to enhance accessibility and participation for all state-adopted representatives, as the league Secretariat appreciates their understanding and flexibility regarding this adjustment.

The NLO Secretariat will provide further details about the virtual meeting platform and the agenda as the event date approaches.

All relevant representatives from each State Football Association will represent their respective clubs, as their collaboration is essential for the advancement of football development in Nigeria.

Local News

Lagos, Practagali Partners Unveil Inaugural Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Games

The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) and Practagali Partners, organisers of the maiden Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games (BAT SWAG), have announced that the inaugural edition of the games will be hosted in Lagos.

BATSWAG, a unifying sports initiative led by Practagali Partners, is designed to discover emerging under-18 athletes from across the Southwest region, encourage mass participation in sports, and provide opportunities for talented athletes to showcase their skills and build a career in sports.

Scheduled for March 2025, the highly anticipated competition will bring together promising young talents from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti, to compete in various sporting disciplines, including Athletics (Track & Field), Basketball, Boxing, Football, Table Tennis, Traditional African games, Ayo-Olopon and Abula.

BATSWAG aims to promote youth development, stimulate sports participation, and encourage inclusivity through adaptive sports. The event will showcase the immense sporting potential within the Southwestern region while creating opportunities for budding athletes to shine on a regional stage.

Speaking on the upcoming tournament, the Director-General of LSSC, Lekan Fatodu, expressed enthusiasm about Lagos being identified as the state where the event will be hosted.

“Hosting the inaugural edition of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games in Lagos is an honour, and it speaks volumes about the support and commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to sports over the years, which has laid the foundation and created many opportunities and resources for Lagos to be the ideal location for any great sporting events. The future of sports in the South-West region is bright, and the BAT SWAG Games will undoubtedly serve as a springboard for young athletes aiming for national and international success.”

Ms Funmilola Adedipe, Managing Director of Practagali Partners, highlighted the broader impact of the event, noting that it aims to promote positive engagement among youth and rescue them from the grip of social vices prevalent in society.
She said, “The BAT SWAG Games will not only nurture talent but also serve as a vital tool for social reformation, using sports as a vehicle for development, empowerment, and hope.”

Adedipe also highlighted the significance of Practagali Partners’ collaboration with the Lagos State Government, noting that the partnership will create sustainable opportunities for youth and further the cause of grassroots sports development across the region.

“This partnership with Lagos as the host state will bolster efforts to engage youth meaningfully, and we look forward to discovering new talents that can potentially represent Nigeria on the global stage,” Adedipe added.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games is expected to be a remarkable event, showcasing the wealth of talent within the region. The competition will draw in large crowds, enhance community spirit, and create a sports participation legacy that will impact future generations.
By being chosen as the host state, Lagos further solidifies its reputation as a hub for sports development and excellence.