Sports
Serie A Players To Go On Strike
Serie A’s top stars are to go on strike on 11 and 12 December, the Italian Players’ Association (AIC) has said.
The walkout follows a dispute between the AIC, the players’ union, and Lega Calcio over a new collective contract.
Fixtures due to be held on the affected weekend include Lazio’s trip to Juventus and Roma against Bari.
The strike follows a rejection by the top-flight clubs to reopen talks about a new contract, which lays down basic rights of players.
The agreement had expired in the summer and the AIC said players would strike if a new one was not reached by 30 November.
Serie A president Maurizio Beretta was furious after the last-ditch talks failed but said he hoped the walkout would be called off.
“Today’s meeting was incredible, without precedence in history,” Beretta stated yesterday.
“The union refused to listen to the intervention of the federation president, which included the issue of players outside the squad. At that point they got up from the table and left.”
AIC vice-president Leonardo Gross had earlier stated: “The strike has been called for 11 and 12 December. We are very sad because there was a willingness to find an agreement.”
The union is unhappy with Lega Calcio’s demands that teams’ unwanted players must train away from their first-team squads and accept transfers even when they are under contract.
A strike had originally been planned for September but was called off to allow more time for talks.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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