UK Sports News
- Keely Hodgkinson Wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024: British middle-distance runner Keely Hodgkinson has been awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024. Her achievements this year include securing Olympic and European titles in the 800m and setting a new British record. This marks the fourth consecutive year a female athlete has received the honor.
- Luke Littler Named Young Sports Personality of the Year: Seventeen-year-old darts prodigy Luke Littler was named Young Sports Personality of the Year. During the ceremony, he humorously noted that David Beckham does not follow him on social media, eliciting laughter from the audience. Littler is set to begin his campaign in the World Darts Championship this Saturday.
- UK Sport Allocates £330 Million for LA 2028 Games: UK Sport has announced a £330 million investment into Olympic and Paralympic sports in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Notably, athletics and canoeing will experience funding reductions, with athletics receiving £20.5 million, down from £22.2 million. The funding decisions are based on the potential of each sport to deliver success.
- Euro 2028 Hosting Plans: The UK and Ireland have been approved as hosts for Euro 2028 by UEFA. The tournament will feature ten stadiums across the five nations, including Wembley Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Everton’s new stadium, which is set to be completed in 2025. Notably, Anfield, Emirates Stadium, and Old Trafford are absent from the list of venues.
Nigeria Sports News
- Ademola Lookman Named African Footballer of the Year: Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has been named African Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football. Lookman had a standout year, contributing significantly to Atalanta’s Europa League victory and Nigeria’s journey to the Africa Cup of Nations final. He is the seventh Nigerian to receive this honor.
- Super Falcons Win Women’s National Team of the Year: Nigeria’s women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, have been awarded the Women’s National Team of the Year at the CAF Awards 2024. Their impressive performances throughout the year have solidified their status as one of Africa’s top teams.
- Nigerian Boxers Qualify for 2024 Summer Olympics: For the first time since 2016, Nigeria has qualified three boxers for the Olympic tournament. Dolapo Omole (men’s featherweight), Olaitan Olaore (men’s heavyweight), and Cynthia Ogunsemilore (women’s lightweight) secured their spots by advancing to the final matches at the 2023 African Olympic Qualification Tournament in Dakar, Senegal.
- Nigeria’s Fencing Team Prepares for World Cup: The Nigeria Fencing Federation has announced a seven-member squad for the 2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup, scheduled for December 14-15 at Charterhouse Lagos. The team is led by former African cadet and national junior champion, Wisdom Okanlawon.
