Tinubu Approves Upgrade of MKO Abiola Stadium, Promises Return of National Teams to Abuj

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, including the activation of a 200-room hostel in Package B. This was disclosed by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, during a courtesy visit by the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to his office in Abuja.

According to Dikko, the President’s passion for sports development will begin to manifest once the 2025 budget is approved by the National Assembly. “President Tinubu is committed to transforming sports infrastructure in Nigeria, starting with the Moshood Abiola Stadium,” he said. “The hostel will soon become operational, and the pitch will be upgraded to facilitate the return of all national teams to Abuja.”

The upgrades are part of a broader plan to support sports federations, revitalize school sports, and sponsor Nigerian clubs in international competitions. Dikko further revealed that the government would establish centers of excellence for grassroots sports and offer scholarships to students excelling in both academics and athletics.

These initiatives underscore President Tinubu’s vision of turning Nigeria into a hub for global sporting events. “With these investments, Nigeria’s sports sector is poised for significant transformation,” Dikko concluded.

The announcement has sparked excitement among sports lovers and stakeholders, who eagerly anticipate the revitalization of the iconic stadium and its facilities. GMTNewsng

American tennis sensation Coco Gauff stormed to victory at the China Open on Sunday, overpowering Karolina Muchová 6-1, 6-3 in a dominant display. With this victory, the 20-year-old became the first American to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 2013, adding her eighth WTA title to her growing collection.

The win marked another historic milestone for Gauff, as she became the first woman in WTA history to win her first seven hard-court finals in the Open era. In her post-match interview, Gauff was gracious in her praise of Muchová, saying, “Congratulations to you, Karolina. It’s great to see you back on tour. You’re such an amazing player and you deserve everything.”

From the outset, Gauff was relentless, stamping her authority on the final by wrapping up the first set in just 30 minutes. Muchová, despite her strong form coming into the match with wins over US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, struggled to match Gauff’s intensity.

The Czech player, who has battled injuries throughout the season, was unable to handle Gauff’s power and precision. The American limited her unforced errors to just eight, while Muchová committed 24, a statistic that played a crucial role in the outcome of the match.

Muchová briefly threatened a comeback in the second set, breaking Gauff’s serve to take a 2-0 lead. However, Gauff quickly regained control, breaking back immediately and asserting her dominance to close out the match in straight sets.

This victory marked Gauff’s first title in nine months and her first since making changes to her coaching team. She recently added Matt Daly as her new coach, parting ways with Brad Gilbert, who had previously helped her secure titles at the US Open, Cincinnati, and Washington.

Next on Gauff’s agenda is the Wuhan Open, where she will aim to build on her remarkable form as she continues to rise in the world rankings.

● Debie Rajah

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has been linked with a potential move to Juventus in the upcoming January 2025 transfer window, according to reports by renowned Italian journalist Paolo Paganini. The report, which aired on the football program 90° Minuto, suggests that Juventus is actively considering Osimhen as a key target to bolster their attack for the second half of the season.

Currently on loan at Turkish club Galatasaray following a difficult stint in the English Premier League, Osimhen has remained a highly sought-after forward across Europe. Juventus’ interest could reunite him with Cristiano Giuntoli, the sporting director who initially brought him to Napoli during his time there. Giuntoli is believed to be a strong advocate for Osimhen, seeing him as a player who can add dynamism and goal-scoring prowess to the Bianconeri attack.

“Juventus is on the lookout for a top striker, and Victor Osimhen is definitely one of their primary targets,” Paganini revealed during the broadcast. “Giuntoli has always been a big admirer of Osimhen’s talents, and a move could be on the cards in January.”

Juventus has struggled to find consistency in their forward line, prompting the club to explore several options ahead of the winter transfer window. Osimhen, with his proven track record in Serie A and his versatility, is seen as an ideal fit to revitalize the club’s fortunes in front of goal. A source within Juventus hinted that the club sees Osimhen as a “long-term investment.”

Fans of Juventus are reportedly excited about the possibility of the Nigerian striker joining their ranks. “Osimhen has shown time and again that he can deliver in Italy. Bringing him to Juventus would be a brilliant move,” one supporter stated. Whether the deal materializes remains to be seen, but Osimhen’s potential return to Italy is already generating significant buzz in the football world.