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Arsenal’s attempt to sign Ollie Watkins failed after Al Nassr’s decision to snub Boniface

Arsenal’s bid to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa was impacted by Al Nassr’s decision to pursue a transfer for Jhon Duran instead of Victor Boniface.

Despite significant injuries to key players Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal failed to add a forward during the winter transfer window. Mikel Arteta had hoped to bolster his attacking options, with Watkins a potential target.

Discussions between Villa and Arsenal began after their Premier League clash on January 18, with Villa looking to sell one of Watkins or Duran due to manager Unai Emery’s difficulty in fitting both strikers into his starting lineup. Villa had been in talks with Al Nassr over a transfer for Duran and were willing to sell Watkins for £60 million.

Watkins, a boyhood Arsenal fan, was eager for the move, and the Gunners submitted an opening bid of £40 million on January 27, which was promptly rejected. Arsenal planned to make a second offer, but Al Nassr’s decision to focus on Duran over Boniface meant that the potential transfer of Watkins to Arsenal was no longer possible.

With the transfer window now closed, Arteta is left with Kai Havertz as his only forward option for the remainder of the season.

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EFCC Collaborates With NSC On National Sports Development

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the National Sport Commission, NSC are set to deepen collaboration and partnership towards improved sports development in the country.

The resolution was reached on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 when the Sports Committee of the EFCC, led by its head, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE ll Halilu Dauda paid a courtesy visit to the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, ahead of the One Service, One Medal Games, OSOM, which is a tournament organized to foster peace, unity and sports development among members of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and para-military organizations in the country.

Dauda appreciated the strides of the NSC under Dikko’s leadership, noting that the OSOM games will further foster unity for national development.

“I have been following every single story from your Commission, and I must confess that you are doing well. I believe that the games will harness talent that will help Nigeria win laurels in international competitions. A lot of Nigerians, living abroad, are doing well in sports. All we need is to train the best locally from the grassroots and we can win any competition,” he said.

In her contribution, EFCC’s Sports Committee Public Relations Officer, ACE ll, Aisha Mohammed observed the need for collaboration and partnership among agencies of government adding that such synergy will go a long way in enhancing robust participation in the games and resources needed to develop local talents.

Dikko, who was delighted with the visit, disclosed that the NSC under his leadership has prioritized talent hunt and development.

“Since my assumption in office, we have focused our attention on the development of athletes. We have a plan to train the younger ones for a period of time. We are focused on going to the grassroots, especially schools, there are so many talents there; we are not waiting for competitions to come before we start preparing because preparation beats talents in sports,” he said.

The games will feature competition in swimming, taekwondo, weightlifting, tug-of-war, beach volleyball, boxing, chess, squash and scrabble. Others are, golf, tennis, shooting, table tennis, football and badminton.

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Olukismet FC Youngster Popoola Abdulrasaq Joins Top Hungarian Side Kisvarda FC

Highly rated midfielder of Ekiti based NLO 1 side Olukismet FC, Popoola Ridwan Abdulrasaq has joined Hungarian side Kisvarda FC on a five- year deal.

According to a statement from the Ekiti based team which is known for churning out top young talents under the tutelage of renowned youth talents developer, Coach Gabriel Oladeji Atobaje, Popoola has quickly hit the grounds running with some wonderful displays in the games he has played for the promotion seeking side since he started pulling on the red and white of the club.

In his remarks, Coach Atobaje expressed confidence in the abilities of the 18 years old midfielder, who has started turning heads with his performances in the Hungarian league.

“We’re very confident that our boy Popoola would make us proud out there in Hungary.

“This is a very gifted young player with uncanny ability and intelligence and physical strength to dominate the midfield play, even at the highest heights of world football,” the obviously excited Atobaje enthused confidently.

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Joy Unlimited: NBBF Board Members, Stakeholders Hails Musa Kida’s Appointment As Chairman, NNPCL

Encomiums and felicitations have been pouring for the President of Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida, on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the new Chairman of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Since the appointment which many experts in the oil and gas industry described as long overdue, but timely, it has been stopless prayers and heartfelt goodwill messages for Kida by all Nigerians and particularly, from his immediate sports constituency, the basketball community.

In a press statement signed and released by veteran sports journalist Felix Awogu, on behalf of the NBBF board members, congratulates Kida on his appointment as the chairman of the board of NNPCL.

It noted that Kida has proven his ability, capability and integrity as a globally renowned expert in the energy, oil and gas industry, with over 40 years’ experience bouyed by high levels of efficient and spectacular achievements.

“It is no gain saying that you’re a great achiever with so much experience and sagacity in administration, and that is glaringly evident in the unprecedented feats your leadership as President of the NBBF has brought to the game of basketball in Nigeria.

“We acknowledge your reputation as a globally renowned expert in the oil industry and like the other good people of this great nation, we have implicit confidence that you shall deliver on the mandate of your new board of the NNPCL.

“The board members of the NBBF, the stakeholders, as well as enthusiast and aficionados of the game, say a big thank you to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on your appointment. And we heartily pray that God in His infinite mercies continue to guard, guide and bless your steps in your new national assignment.