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Rugby 7s Breaks Into NUGA Games To Debut As Scoring Sport At Jos 2025

NUGA Games 2025

 

The University of Jos, Plateau State, will host the upcoming Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) championship, which will mark rugby’s historic debut as a medal-winning sport.

This represents a significant milestone for rugby, which has become an essential part of the games’ sports program due to the core values it promotes, including character building, respect, discipline, teamwork, integrity, and sportsmanship.

The sport’s growth has been further fueled by the participation of Nigeria’s national teams in various international tournaments. In recent years, rugby has witnessed a surge in interest and development, especially among young athletes and educational institutions.

The inclusion of rugby in the NUGA Games is credited to the relentless efforts of two key figures: Prof. Musa Garba Yakasai, Chairman of the Technical Committee for the NUGA Games, and Prof. Joseph Awoyinfa, Chairman of NUGA Rugby.

Both professors worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that rugby not only debuted at the games but also earned its place as a medal-scoring event, further cementing its significance within the Nigerian sports landscape.

Speaking on this groundbreaking development, the President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Dr. Ademola Are, commended the professors for their dedication and vision. He expressed optimism that this inclusion would have a far-reaching impact on the sport’s development in the country, particularly among the youth.

“I am delighted with the tireless efforts of those who made this possible,” Dr. Are stated. “This decision sends a strong message to universities that rugby must become a major part of their sports programs. It also sets the stage for the inclusion of rugby in future national events, such as the National Sports Festival, where its absence has been keenly felt.”

Dr. Are further emphasized that the debut of rugby at the NUGA Games will serve as a springboard to promote the sport’s growth across Nigerian universities, ensuring that it becomes a staple in youth sports development programs nationwide.

As preparations for the NUGA Games continue, the inclusion of rugby 7s is expected to bring excitement and a new level of competition to the event, while providing a platform for young talents to showcase their skills on a national stage.

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Dmitry Bivol Wants Revenge Over Belts, Reveals Why He’s Turning To Psychology Books

Dmitry Bivol Wants Revenge Over Belts, Reveals Why He's Turning To Psychology Books

Dmitry Bivol is more than just one of the most technically gifted boxers in the world. He’s a man constantly evolving—both as a fighter and as a person.

His journey to the top of the light heavyweight division hasn’t been without its challenges, but it’s shaped him into the disciplined and introspective athlete he is today.

Ahead of his highly-anticipated rematch with Artur Beterbiev, Mail Sport had the chance to sit down with Bivol during his training camp in Turkey, where he shared insights into his mental preparation, the lessons he learned from his first fight with Beterbiev, and how he’s balancing the weight of his ambition with his desire for perfection.

Heading into Bivol’s gym, the word UNDISPUTED is boldly printed above the entrance and again on the back wall, an ever-present reminder of the goal he’s working toward. Inside, the atmosphere is light but focused—before each session, Bivol jokes around with his team, creating a good vibe in camp. It’s a stark contrast to the intensity that follows when training begins.

His walls are lined with pictures of boxing greats—Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard— icons of the sport whose legacies serve as daily motivation. They look down as he perfects the Soviet boxing style that has defined his career.

Mentally, Bivol has always been an introspective individual. He’s someone who understands the power of the mind, and over the years, he’s honed his mental strength as much as his physical conditioning.

‘I used to read psychology books to understand the mind,’ Bivol reveals. ‘It helped me understand the thoughts I was having during training and fights, and it’s something I focus on more now—having power over my thoughts.’

This focus on mental clarity is key to his approach to fighting. After a gruelling training session, Bivol takes time to clear his mind, lying on the canvas in the pitch black to relax his muscles and let go of any lingering thoughts.

‘I try to empty my mind, to think about nothing. It’s hard, but it’s necessary after a long day of training,’ he explains. The process is as much about mental recovery as it is physical, and it’s an essential part of his routine as he prepares for Beterbiev.

Bivol’s approach to boxing has always been about duty—his commitment to discipline and excellence. But over the years, his perspective has shifted, and he now finds more satisfaction in his work.

‘Year by year, I become more focused on enjoying what I do. It’s become my lifestyle. I enjoy it for myself,’ he shares. However, that enjoyment doesn’t come without sacrifice.

Reflecting on his first fight with Beterbiev, Bivol remains remarkably calm and analytical. While the bout was competitive, he feels there were moments where he could have performed better.

‘I controlled the fight for most of it, even when I was moving back. I felt in control,’ Bivol recalls. ‘But I didn’t act how I should have to impress the judges. I should have been more active, throwing more punches in the later rounds.’

Bivol is not someone who shies away from self-assessment, acknowledging that his inability to maintain his activity in the final rounds contributed to his defeat. But his mindset remains pragmatic: ‘I don’t think about the loss too much. I just focus on doing everything right this time. I know what I have to improve.’

Meanwhile, his coach Gennady Mashianov jokes all Bivol needs is ‘better judges that can be more objective when scoring the fight.’

 

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Gilas Ends Doha Stint With 31-Point Loss To Egypt

Gilas Ends Doha Stint With 31-Point Loss To Egypt

Gilas Pilipinas suffered back-to-back losses to end its campaign in the Doha International Cup on Monday (Manila time).

Seeking a bounce-back win following a 21-point defeat to Lebanon on Sunday, Gilas got whipped by a balanced Egypt side, 86-55, instead at QU Sports & Events Complex in Qatar.

Justin Brownlee scored a team-high 18 points but had little help with no other Gilas player hitting double digits. Carl Tamayo chipped in nine points.

Egypt, which was crowned champions in the four-team tournament after going undefeated, took control in the second quarter and never let up led by Ehab Amin’s 20 points and eight assists.

Gilas struggled on offense anew, shooting just 37 percent from the field while committing as many turnovers as assists with 16.

The Philippines tries to return to its winning ways when it visits Chinese Taipei on February 20 and New Zealand on February 23 to wrap up the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Gilas has already punched a ticket to the Asia Cup set this August in Saudi Arabia after winning its first four qualifying games in Group B.

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Mike Tyson Responds Parkinson’s Claims By Jake Paul

Mike Tyson Responds Parkinson's Claims By Jake Paul

A representative for Mike Tyson has come forward to refute Jake Paul’s claim that the 58-year- old boxing legend was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, as reported by Express.co.uk.

Tyson’s highly anticipated return to the ring in November saw him face off against the social media personality turned boxer.

Although many believed the former world champion could turn back the clock, his age became apparent on fight night. Tyson’s performance began to decline after the second round, and he failed to land any significant blows for the remainder of the bout.

Despite not securing a knockout, Paul coasted to a unanimous decision victory in Texas. In a recent conversation with Adin Ross, Paul shocked the boxing world by claiming that Tyson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s but was ‘cured’ by smoking toad.

“Ayahuasca is really good for your brain as well. And same with toad! Toad cured Tyson’s Parkinson’s so that he could come back and fight.” When asked to explain how it worked, Paul replied, “You smoke it.”

His comments quickly went viral online, prompting Paul to clarify the situation on social media. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the 28-year-old social media sensation wrote: “Bruh…Mike Tyson didn’t have no Parkinsons..WTF. Why the f*** is the internet so stupid for. I misspoke. Meant he used toad to heal his pain. He has spoken about it many times. Just like I do. Just like many do.”

In response to Paul’s remarks, representatives for Tyson have refuted claims that the former heavyweight world champion is suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

“Mike is happy and perfectly healthy. He doesn’t have Parkinson’s or any other illness,” a spokesperson for the 58-year-old informed TMZ. While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, various treatments are available to alleviate symptoms, including supportive therapies such as physiotherapy, medication, and surgery.

Last month, Tyson expressed concern about his recovery from the Paul fight, telling the New York Post: “I feel pretty good. I don’t know if I’m 100 per cent recovered, but I feel good.”

In December, the boxing veteran confessed he couldn’t recall much of the bout though: “I don’t remember the fight that much, I kind of blanked out. I haven’t watched the fight. You know what I remember… coming back from the first round and Jake was doing some sort of bow… that’s the last thing I remember.”

He continued: “I wasn’t tired, I wasn’t sweaty. I went to the house we were staying in, I left the house with my wife and kids, went to the after-party then went back.”

 

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