Sports
Swansea Confident Of Premiership Performance
Chairman Huw Jenkins has said that Swansea should not be written off as they prepare for their debut season in the Premier League.
The Swans will open their Premier League campaign with an away game at Manchester City on 13 August.
And Jenkins believes that Brendan Rodgers’ side can compete with the big clubs next season.
“Everybody would be foolish to write us off just for those type of games,” said Jenkins.
“We’ve proved in the Championship, [against] so called bigger clubs heavily spending way over our budget, we competed and competed very well [and] played the best football in the Championship.
“That will carry on and there’s no doubt, apart from the top four or five in the Premier League, every team in that league is beatable.
“We’ll continue the way we play football and hopefully that will be a good start for us and give us the right encouragement to go forward.”
Swansea will return to English football’s top flight next season following a 28-year absence.
They secured their Premier League place following a 4-2 win over Reading in the Championship playoff final at Wembley in May.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity and a challenge for us,” said Jenkins.
“We’re realistic. We know every game in the Premier League is going to be probably like our play-off final. It’s going to be a 90 minute battle from end to end.
“We’re just pleased to be here and hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves and compete in every game.
“Yes we need to start well, yes we need to build confidence and the Brendan and the team are happy they can compete.
“They can look forward to every game but ultimately there’s a long way to go and right throughout the season you have to remain competitive.”
The size of the task facing Swansea in the Premier League will have been underlined by their opening day fixture at big-spending Manchester City.
Roberto Mancini’s side last season finished third in the Premier League to secure a Champions League spot as well as winning the FA Cup.
And Jenkins says the game at the City of Manchester will be a benchmark for the rest of the campaign.
“It typifies the level we’re going to be up against in the Premier League,” added Jenkins, who has been chairman since 2004.
“It will be a good day. I’ve been there and watched other games.
“But to go there as a board of directors representing the club will be a great day for us, which no doubt we’ll all enjoy and so will our supporters.
“But ultimately nobody’s going to enjoy going to these grounds unless you compete and win games.
“We’ve got to make sure we find a way of doing that and then we will enjoy it a bit more.”
After facing Manchester City, the Swans open their home campaign against Wigan Athletic the following Saturday on 20 August.
Sports
Amusan places third in Diamond League opener
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
Sports
Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Sports
Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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