By ‘Dare Odufowokan

Finally as I write this piece, more than 10,000 athletes and officials from all over Nigeria, our great country, who are competing for laurels in the 22nd National Sports Festival tagged Gateway Games, are converging in Abeokuta , the Ogun State capital in anticipation of a memorable festival as assured by the Chief host himself, Governor Dapo Abiodun.

While many of those who have arrived are enthusiastically admitting that the city is really agog and wearing many new looks already, the official opening ceremony of Gateway games 2024 has been slated for  Sunday, May 18, 2025.

The state government under the leadership of Governor Abiodun while receiving the Touch of Unity on Thursday, assured that all necessary logistics have been put in place for the reception of the contingents from participating states. And the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the competition, attests to this assurance.
Of course, hundreds of domestic and foreign journalists, sports enthusiasts, and other related professionals, are expected in the state to be part of the much awaited 22nd National Sports Festival.

The Dapo Abiodun-led administration has gone many extra miles to ensure that the memories of the competition would linger in the minds of the participants as well as the good people of the state.

For the records, this would be the second national sports festival to be hosted by Ogun State, the first being in 2006. And all hands, including those of the governor, his entire cabinet and all his aides, have been on deck to deliver the best organised sports competition ever in the country. Believe me, Governor Abiodun is walking this talk with seriousness and precision.

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Governor Abiodun had on several occasions noted that the National Sports Festival brings together the energy, and creativity of youths in the country and also serves as a platform for them to showcase their diverse talents and potential. He added that hosting the festival is a testament to the commitment of his administration to empower the next generation by offering them the opportunity for growth and self-development.

It is also worthy to add that youths from Ogun State have earned domestic and international acclaim for  themselves and the nation through sports events like athletics, boxing, chess, football, to mention a few.

The contributions of the legendary Segun Odegbami, sprinter Falilat Ogunkoya, maverick Anthony Joshua, youthful Tobi Amusan, Tunde Onakoya the Chess champion, among others, toward lifting Nigeria’s image in the international fora through sports, serve as a tonic for the organisers of this festival.

So, the good people of Ogun State happily welcome all participants to this wonderful sporting convergence. While the main hub for competitions is the newly rehabilitated and immensely upgraded M.K.O Abiola International Stadium, which has now been turned into a world class Sporting Complex by the Dapo Abiodun administration, some events will take place at the Alake Sport Complex and other venues.

The Babcock University at Ilishan Remo is the Games Village where all the athletes will be accommodated together in love and unity. A robust transport arrangement is in place to ensure itch free movement of people to and fro the games village all through the festival. Arrangements are also in place to cater for the socioeconomic conveniences of participants.

Importantly, Governor Abiodun and all other organizers and stakeholders have been advocating for the true spirit of sportsmanship to be displayed all through the festival even as we all look forward to celebrating winners and losers alike for the true essence of the entire festival and the many competitions is actually in the participation.

For the governor, there is more joy in hosting Nigerian youths to a sports festival than winning as he strongly believes that the role sports activities play in the well-being of the youths cannot be overemphasized. “For us in Ogun State, this festival isn’t just about the competition and performances, even though we would love to host and win every medal,” the governor had declared.

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“We want to host a National Sports Festival that will showcase the talent, our culture and potential of our great state as well as a very unique sense of hospitality of our people,” he added while  enjoining the people of the state to be part of the activities so as to display their usual hospitality to the visitors.

There’s no doubt that since over 16,000 people, including over 12,000 athletes and 4,000 officials, domestic and foreign journalists, would throng the Rivers  State capital for the two-week event, the hospitality  industry would surely face some challenges in terms of catering to their needs.

We are however, confident, that plans have been firmed by players in the hospitality industry to make the athletes’ stay one of the most eventful in their careers.

Indeed, we do not want to lose cognizance of the fact that a major aspect of the success story of this festival would depend on adequate security arrangement put in place by the stakeholders for the protection of all and sundry. While we  underline the return of peace and tranquility to the Garden City, The Tide insists that the security agencies put all it takes in place to ensure there are no untoward events during the competition.

This event, we are convinced, should be an opportunity for the security agencies to advertise their prowess in security matters in view of recent happenings across the country, including the recent killing of policemen in the state by some gunmen.

No doubt, given the level of preparedness and the satisfactory looks on the faces of the contingents that are already in town, as Governor Abiodun and the good people of Ogun State welcome the athletes, officials and other visitors to the festival, they are proud, indeed, to say, let the games begin, and let the best win.

Odufowokan is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Abiodun on Public Communications

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Football writer Ben Bloom picks out the key talking points and players ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley.

For one side, it is an opportunity to achieve something that has never been done in the club’s 120-year existence; for the other, a chance to salvage some joy from a deeply disappointing campaign.

Saturday’s FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City promises to be a fascinating encounter in the battle for the final piece of major domestic silverware on offer this season.

There is also the offer of a UEFA Europa League spot to the winner – something City hope will be of little relevance to them, but a tantalising prospect for Palace supporters who have never tasted European football.

Here is all you need to know.

What does the FA Cup mean to both clubs?
There have been a few notable moments in Palace’s recent history: an extra-time Championship playoff final victory over Watford in 2012/13 and an FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United three years later.

This match is up there with them. Having already matched their record Premier League points haul of 49, with two games remaining, Oliver Glasner’s side are now bidding for a first piece of major silverware in the club’s history.

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They have twice lost FA Cup finals to Man Utd (in 1990 and 2016), and the most prestigious trophies in their cabinet remain those for twice winning the English second tier and claiming the 1990/91 Full Members’ Cup (a short-lived invitational tournament during the European ban for English clubs).

Man City are the polar opposite. Their trophy collection over the past 15 years has been extensive, with eight Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, three FA Cups and six EFL Cups won during that period.

Indeed, City have only gone without major silverware in three of the past 14 seasons and this is their third successive FA Cup final. Last year’s defeat also came at the hands of Man Utd.

What about Europe?
The winners of the FA Cup receive a place in the Europa League, something of great interest to Palace who have never played in a major European competition.

By the start of April, a strong set of results meant Palace supporters were beginning to develop slim hopes of qualifying for Europe by virtue of their Premier League place.

However, a run of five matches without a win – sparked by a 5-2 defeat at Man City’s hands – ended those aspirations, so Glasner’s team are all-in on this match.

Currently in fourth place, City have their sights firmly set on qualifying for the Champions League again.

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Should Pep Guardiola’s side triumph at Wembley and finish in the top five, their Europa League place for winning the FA Cup would be transferred to the highest-placed Premier League team who have not already qualified for Europe.

Path to the final
Crystal Palace
Third round: Palace 1-0 Stockport County
Fourth round: Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Palace
Fifth round: Palace 3-1 Millwall
Quarter-final: Fulham 0-3 Palace
Semi-final: Palace 3-0 Aston Villa

Man City
Third round: Man City 8-0 Salford City
Fourth round: Leyton Orient 1-2 Man City
Fifth round: Man City 3-1 Plymouth Argyle
Quarter-final: AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Man City
Semi-final: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man City

Arteta’s side have now gone five years without a trophy as they approach the end of a frustrating campaign marred by injuries to key forwards Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.

That trio, as well as influential midfielder Martin Odegaard, all missed substantial chunks of the season as Arsenal failed to keep pace with Premier League champions Liverpool before losing the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

A new striker is top of Arteta’s wish-list with Havertz, who has not played for almost four months, still the club’s top scorer in the league with just nine goals.

Arsenal are believed to have at least £100 million ($132 million) at their disposal for new players and have been linked with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.

After failing to lure England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa during the January transfer window, Arteta is willing to do whatever it takes to get a new striker in the summer.

“The thing is that the budget is like when you have your wedding, you plan your wedding with your wife and you give her a budget and never less, and it’s always more,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.

“When you build a house it’s always more. Normally this happens. And you prepare for different scenarios. Then unfortunate things happen. Sometimes we want a player and suddenly we have an injury or that player gets injured.

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“There are so many variables that can happen but there is a budget. There is always an idea of what we can do, what we can improve, what the priorities are going to be and then let’s see if we can do it.”

Amid speculation this week that Arteta and Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, who replaced Edu in March, have disagreed over which striker to pursue, the manager insisted their relationship is fine.

“Well, if that happens, that means that we cannot explain ourselves well enough, and we are not clear enough on what we want, and I guarantee you that hasn’t happened,” he said.

“It didn’t happen in five and a half years with Edu, and I guarantee you it hasn’t happened with Andrea.

“We have learned a lot and some of them (transfers) have worked really well and others have not. So we have to make sure that we make the right calls.

“But we are all human beings and unfortunately, nobody has got a crystal ball here.

“But Andrea is someone who is very driven, very clear in his ideas, in his vision and how we want to achieve it.”

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Second-placed Arsenal, who host third-placed Newcastle on Sunday, head into the final two matches of the season needing just two points to be assured of Champions League qualification.

However, with their superior goal difference, one point should be enough for Arsenal to secure a top-five finish.

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen has scored two brilliant goals as Galatasaray beat Trabzonspor 3-0 to win the Turkish cup at the Gaziantep Stadium on Wednesday.

The hot-shot Nigerian striker was the hero of the night after scoring to brilliant goals to lead the awaiting Turkish league champion to first trophy of the season.

The former Napoli hitman, who has been in hot form for Galatasaray has attracted big offers across major European clubs as well as Saudi Arabian clube.

Osimhen has now scored five goals and registered one assist in the Turkish Cup this season.

Galatasaray, who are on the verge of winning the Turkish Super Lig title are targeting a double.

The Yellow and Reds last won the Turkish Cup in the 2018/19 season.

Hot-shot Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen has responded to the transfer rumour from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal with annual offer of €35 million after a successful season in Turkey.

It was reported that Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal have tabled a big offer for Osimhen to join them this summer from Napoli.

Osimhen’s loan deal at Turkish champions Galatasaray will end this summer and speculations are rife where he will take his scoring boots to.

2027 Campaign: Peter Obi/El-Rufai poster floods social media as Nigerians react

Last summer, he was very close to joining another Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli, but at the last minute Napoli caused it to collapse after they increased their asking price.

A source within Osimhen’s camp has reacted to the speculation, saying that players across the world play for Money’ and Osimhen could consider the offer from Saudi Arabia ahead of other interested club’s in Europe.

According to Corriere dello Sport, top Riyadh club Al Hilal have tabled before Osimhen an “indecent” salary of between 30 and 35 Million Euros-a-year.

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This is moe than double what he currently receives at Galatasaray.

“No players in the world playing for the sake of club passion or playing for free. At the moment, there are many clubs that want Victor and he has to sit down and chose the best for his career. Victor has nothing to prove again, except he wants to win Ballon d’Or,” Osimhen’s source told ThePapers.

“All players play for Money, we must understand that very well because at the end of his career the same people will questions his achievements despite being top scorer in Turkey and Italy,” he concluded.

Osimhen will also reunite with Senegal star Kalidou Koulibaly at the nine-time Saudi champions, who again look set to miss out on the league championship this season.

2027 Campaign: Peter Obi/El-Rufai poster floods social media as Nigerians react

Arsenal’s talented winger Bukayo Saka, is set to play a pivotal role in potentially swaying Atalanta and Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman towards a transfer to the Emirates stadium next summer, ThePapers.ng reports.

Both players share a Nigerian heritage, which could strengthen their connection and impact the decision-making process.

Lookman, known for his speed and skill on the ball, would add significant depth to Arsenal’s attacking lineup, making this influence from Saka all the more critical as the club looks to bolster its squad for the upcoming season.

Arsenal’s interest in Ademola Lookman may appear surprising on the surface. After all, this is a player once deemed surplus to requirements at Everton and Leipzig, drifting between top-flight sides without leaving a lasting imprint.

But football thrives on reinvention, and Lookman, crowned African Player of the Year in 2024, has carved a compelling second act in Serie A with Atalanta. Now, the 27-year-old may be preparing to bring that rebirth full circle — back to the Premier League.

According to sources within Arsenal’s organization, Bukayo Saka has been actively advocating for the club to pursue the acquisition of Nigerian player Ademola Lookman from Atalanta. Saka has engaged in discussions regarding the potential contributions that Lookman could make to the team for the upcoming season.

“Lookman is likely to move to Arsenal, there are underground discussions in Arsenal, and Bukayo Saka is looking forward to see the move happen as soon as possible due to LKookman’s quality and maybe because he’s also a Nigerian”, the source said.

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Lookman’s resurgence in Italy has been nothing short of remarkable. His 17 goals and 10 assists in 2023/24 were not simply numbers on a score sheet — they were milestones in a narrative of redemption. His Europa League final hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, halting Xabi Alonso’s side’s historic unbeaten streak, immortalised him in Bergamo folklore.

Still, statistics only tell part of the story. His performances have blended directness, intelligence, and composure — qualities that once flickered inconsistently but now blaze with purpose. It’s no coincidence that Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg confirms Arsenal have “added him to their shortlist”. Nor is it surprising that Lookman, despite a contract running until 2027, is reportedly “searching for a new club for the summer.”

There’s no doubting Lookman’s pedigree now. He’s no longer the inconsistent winger from his Everton or Fulham days. He’s a continental champion, an African Player of the Year, and a genuine match-winner on the European stage. His hat-trick in the Europa League final was the kind of elite, big-game moment Arsenal have too often lacked in recent seasons.

Of course, the price tag of £51 million may raise some eyebrows. But in today’s market — especially considering his versatility and current form — that’s arguably good value. What really excites fans is how he might complement the squad. With Martinelli blowing hot and cold, Leandro Trossard not quite dominating games, Lookman could provide quality depth and a new dimension.

Additional reports from Yahoo Sports