Sports
Milo Moves To Promote Grassroots Sports Dev
Nestle Milo’s Brand
Manager, Ms. Funmi Osineye, has said that the company was totally committed to grassroots sports development in Nigeria.
Osineye, who said this at the end of Milo Football Clinic, said that the programme was part of Nestle Nigeria Plc.’s commitment to grassroots sports development in the country.
The four-day annual clinic, which took place at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, was the fourth edition.
The clinic was organised by Staruf Sports Development, a Lagos-based sports development company managed by ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, in collaboration with the Nestle Plc., makers of Milo drink.
More than 2,000 children, drawn from 200 schools across the FCT, participated in the event, whose screening exercise began on October 2.
Osineye said that the company’s goal was to take the programme to all the 36 states of the country.
“We are committed to this cause; this is something we have been sponsoring for four years now and we will continue to do so by the grace of God.
“Last year, we were in Calabar, Owerri, Ijebu-Ode and Ibadan. But, this year, we will be going from Abuja to Benin, Port-Harcourt, Akure, Enugu, Abeokuta and Lagos,’’ she said.
Out of 2,000 children who participated in the clinic, 32 players were selected and divided into two teams to play against each other at the clinic’s grand finale.
They were grouped into “Team White’’ and “Team Green’’.
After an exciting and gruelling encounter, the match ended 2-2 at full-time and went straight into penalty shootouts. “Team White’’ won 3-2.
The players of the winning team were given N40,000 each as well as boots, jerseys, footballs and school bags, while the losing team players received N20,000 each and football kits too.
Certificates of participation signed by Peter Rufai and Milo-branded gift items were also given to all the 2,000 participants.
A cross-section of children, who spoke to newsmen after the clinic’s finale, expressed joy for participating in the programme.
Arinze Adumekwe said that he was lucky to be one of the 32 players chosen to take part in the final match.
“I feel very happy, having been selected to take part in the finale, and for winning the match.
“I am sure my parents will be really proud of me today,’’ he said.
Mishark Thomas said that he still felt fulfilled, even though he did not receive any cash prize.
“Although, I wasn’t among the lucky few selected to take part in the clinic’s final game but I am still excited to have participated all the same.
“I have my certificate and lots of gift items to show for it after all,’’ he said.
On his part, Idi Shetima said that he learnt a lot from the clinic and hoped that such training would be organised from time to time.
“I will put all I have learnt into practice, as I hope to pursue a football career after schooling,’’ he added.
The grassroots football clinic, meant for children with ages ranging between nine to 13 years, ended last weekend.
Gialuigui Donnarumma (Italy and Man City)
One of the greatest strikers of the past 15 years, Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, is among the big names who will not be playing at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
The 37-year-old Barcelona striker, who has scored 89 goals for his country, was not able to inspire his side as they lost 3-2 in Stockholm against Sweden in Tuesday’s play-off final.
Lewandowski, who won the German Bundesliga title on 10 occasions, twice with Borussia Dortmund and then in eight successive seasons with Bayern Munich, before winning La Liga twice with Barca, may have played in his last major international tournament.
Lewandowski captained Poland at the World Cup in 2018, but did not score in Russia as his country came bottom of the group. He had a better tournament four years later in Qatar, scoring twice as Poland reached the last 16 before losing to France.
He netted four times in Group G in 2026 qualifying only for Poland to finish three points behind the Netherlands, before losing to Sweden on Tuesday.
Gialuigui Donnarumma (Italy and Man City)
Another star that will be missing in action at the mundial is Gialuigui Donnarumma of Italy.
Italy lost in the World Cup play-offs for a third successive qualifying tournament
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season since he moved from Paris St-Germain for £26m in September, after helping the French club win the Champions League last season.
Despite being player of the tournament as Italy won the 2020 European Championship, he misses out on a World Cup again after Italy lost 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday.
Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund and Guinea)
Serhou Guirassy is Fourth in the list of Bundesliga top scorers this season
Serhou Guirassy has established himself as one of most prolific strikers playing in Europe, with 62 goals in the German Bundesliga over the past three seasons, while no player scored more than his 13 goals in the Champions League in 2024-25.
But he will not be at the World Cup as his country Guinea went out in the first round of African qualifying, finishing fourth in their group, with only four wins and three draws from their 10 matches.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia and PSG)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia helped Paris St-Germain become European champions last season, scoring in the 5-0 final win over Inter Milan, and he came 12th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards.
But Georgia had a miserable campaign in World Cup qualifying as they only picked up three points from a group that contained Spain, Turkey and Bulgaria.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray and Nigeria)
Victor Osimhen has scored 26 goals for club and country this season
Victor Osimhen helped Napoli win Serie A in 2023 before moving to Galatasaray, where he grabbed 26 goals in 30 games to take them to the Turkish title last season.
Nigeria drew five of their 10 matches in the first group phase as they finished one point behind winners South Africa, but then had a second chance in the following play-off.
With Osimhen already substituted, Nigeria lost on penalties to DR Congo to miss out on the World Cup.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool and Hungary)
Dominik Szoboszlai has scored 12 goals for Liverpool this season
Liverpool and Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has impressed this season and scored some stunning long-range goals.
But he will not be at the World Cup after his country let a 2-1 lead slip in their final group game with the Republic of Ireland scoring twice in injury time to clinch a spot in the play-offs and eliminate Hungary.
Female wrestlers in action at Governor Diri Wrestling Classics.
Ondo State wrestlers dominated the women’s events on Day six of the fourth Governor Douye Diri Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa on Monday, claiming gold medals in two of the four women’s freestyle categories.
African champion Khadijat Idris of Ondo State led the charge in the 55kg division, defeating rising talent Mary Ayeloh of Bayelsa State by technical superiority to claim gold. Happiness Soso of Delta State and Augustine Rhoda of Lagos State took bronze medals in the category.
Damola Ojo also flew the Ondo flag proudly in the 76kg event, retaining her title after defeating all opponents in a round-robin format. Nigeria Army wrestler Laide Ojo settled for silver, while Juliet Ogo of Bayelsa State and Mercy Alison of Abia State each claimed bronze.
In the 62kg category, Patience Kakanda of Bayelsa State produced the upset of the day, defeating Nigeria Army’s Precious Tieberi 3-1 in the final to be crowned the new champion. Isioma Abojei of Delta State and Blessing Apah of Dynamite Club won bronze medals.
Rivers State’s Esther Asaolu also retained her title in the 59kg division, overcoming all her opponents in the round-robin format, with Patience Opuene of Bayelsa State finishing as runner-up.
In the men’s events, Solomon Ulabo of Bayelsa State claimed gold in the 79kg category, with Kpum Ayibasisei of Edo State taking silver and Rasheed Saliu of Ondo State and Ebisindei Okorie of Dynamite Club winning bronze. NewLife Ebikeme of Bayelsa State won the 92kg gold, ahead of Perezidei Obaze of Edo State in silver position, while Tobechukwu Udeh of the Nigeria Army and Timilehin Adekanmi of Ondo State claimed bronze medals.
-
News4 days ago
Decentralizing Pipeline Surveillance Poses Greater Dangers To Niger Delta …. Group Warns
-
Politics4 days agoAPC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide
-
Rivers4 days agoCourt Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny
-
Business4 days ago33 Banks Raise N4.65tn As Recapitalisation Ends
-
Politics4 days agoAlleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
-
Nation4 days agoNile University Hosts ICA Nigeria First National Confab On Global Communication
-
Sports4 days ago
Lewandowski Leads Top Stars Missing From W/Cup Roll Call
-
Sports4 days agoPara Games: Team Rivers Wins 53 Medals On Day 5 … Director Praise Athletes