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‘USA To Dominate World Sprints’ Post Bolt Era’

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Christian Coleman has declared that the United States is set to regain its status as the world’s dominant sprint superpower.
Retired Jamaican great, Usain Bolt, scored sprint doubles in the last three Olympics, but the four fastest men over 100m last year were American.
“I feel a shift to USA being back on top,” Coleman told Tidesports source.
“To be looked up to as one of the Americans that’s supposed to carry the torch, go to the major championships and get medals, that’s a huge honour.”
World silver medallist Coleman, who clocked a world-leading 9.85 seconds in Oslo on Thursday, is being pushed on by his own domestic rivalry with Noah Lyles.
Lyles was awarded victory in the pair’s 100m meeting in Shanghai in May by just six-thousandths of a second.
Lyles, who had previously specialised in the 200m, declared on Instagram that the result “starts my legacy for becoming a 100 and 200 runner”. Coleman however urged caution in reading too much into early-season form, tweeting “the name of the game is World medals”.
Lyles subsequently admitted that his relationship with Coleman is “not good.” “He just never liked me,” he added.
Coleman says his tweet was not aimed at Lyles but concedes that it is hard to be both friends and rivals.
“What we get paid to do is peak at the world championships and Olympics,” the 23-year-old added.

“I don’t have any close friends that are my competitors. I think that’s just the nature of being a sprinter. I don’t know anybody that is like super close friends but also competing for the same medal. That would be kinda odd.”
Meanwhile, World 3,000m steeplechase champion Emma Coburn believes that athletes caught doping should repay money they have earned during their career.
The 28-year-old beat Bahrain’s Olympic champion Ruth Jebet on the way to gold in London. It was announced in July that Jebet is facing disciplinary action for alleged doping.
“The culture can and will change when the punishment is severe enough,” Coburn told our source.
“I think that needs to be amplified with lifetime bans and additionally I think there needs to be more financial penalties. Dopers are literally stealing from athletes who are finishing behind them.
“Personally an Olympic medal is so fulfilling and rewarding but financially, it’s huge. You’re stealing contract bonuses, prize money, future appearance fees; all of this compounds over the course of someone’s career to millions.”

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CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance 

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Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt head coach, Finidi George, has lauded his players (boys) after they defeated Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 in the second leg of preliminary round of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL).
He admitted that the game was a perfect display of football artistry from both sides but believe that his players  will  grow stronger against Black Bulls in the second preliminary round in Mozambique.
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Finidi said this on Sunday shortly after his side saw off Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
 This feat qualified the pride of Rivers State for the second round of the preliminary stage by 1-0 goal aggregate, as their opponents forced them to goalless draw in Congo.
“It was not far from a perfect display, my players to get the job done by getting the only goal of the game. We know it has not been easy, but we’ll build on this win.
“The most important thing is that we have scaled through this round and  now we will focus on our next opponent” Finidi said.
He noted that the players were nervous in the first half and missed key opportunities to seal the tie early.
” We had chances, but there were lapses and mistakes, during first half break we advised them to  calm down, in the second half, we also created more opportunities but could not convert the chances as they come ” he said.
Finidi also explained the inexperience of his squad, with several players making their continental debut.
“Most of my players have not played at this level before, so the nervousness was expected. In every game, they’ll gain confidence. I’m not worried, they will get better,” he stated.
The former Super Eagles Coach assured fans that Rivers United are ready for the Mozambican champions and make a statement.
“We’ll prepare well for the Black Bull. It’s going to be tough but this win gives us something to build on” he added.
Rivers United will travel to Maputo for the first leg of the second preliminary on October 17, 2025 before returning to Uyo for the return leg where the winner over the two legs will make it into the group stage of the CAFCL.
By: Kiadum Edookor
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Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship 

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A badminton fever has gripped Umuahia with the arrival of over 150 athletes and 60 officials from 14 countries for the maiden Abia International Para-Badminton and All-African Badminton Championship.

The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.  On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.

Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.

Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.

“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.

“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”

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FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway 

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Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.

Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.

Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.

Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.

Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.

 

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