Sports
UK Sport, UK Athletics Plan 2029 Bid For Worlds
United Kingdom Sport and UK Athletics are planning to bid to host the 2029 World Championships.
London, and the UK, last hosted the event in 2017.
A feasibility study needs to take place but Tidesports source has been told the sport’s leaders are “determined” to host “transformational” major championships.
“We’d love to have another crack at 2029 and a World Championships,” Jack Buckner, chief executive of UK Athletics, told the source.
“We just do a great job. Everyone talks about the atmosphere and every event we’ve done.
“We first of all have to do a feasibility study and look at what the various options are.”
He said “it would be in his mind” that London would be the city to host the event if the bid was successful.
“We can’t definitely say it’ll be London, but it would be in our mind given the success of it before. I think London [2017] was transformational and it built off 2012 [the Olympic Games]. It was transformational in all sorts of ways,” he added.
Glasgow hosted the World Indoor Championships over the weekend, while Birmingham will host the 2026 European Championships.
Britain’s Josh Kerr, who was crowned men’s 3,000m world indoor champion in Glasgow on Saturday, said a home World Championships would mark a “real full circle moment”.
“My first World Championships was in London in 2017, so that would be incredible if that was to come through and that would definitely push me to stick in the 1500m for as long as I can,” the Scot, also the 1500m world champion, told our source.
“It’s important for Britain to have athletics meets because it inspires generations of athletes to come through and know that there are athletes that are from where they’re from going after massive medals in front of home crowds.
“It makes a huge difference to grassroots athletics especially and it helps with coaching and allowing people to get an insight into our lives and that next stepping stone to where some athletes are now.”
This ambition to host the 2029 event forms part of a wider set of hosting aspirations set to be announced by the funding agency UK Sport.
The 2025 World Championships are set to take place in Tokyo, Japan. Last month, China’s capital Beijing was named as the host of the 2027 event.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”