Sports
China, NUJ FCT hold 2025 Table Tennis Tournament as Amajor, He Ling emerge champions
The 7th edition of the China-NUJ FCT Council annual table tennis tournament has ended on a cheery note with Chioma Amajor of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abuja Correspondents Chapel emerging as female singles champion.
In her remarks while declaring the event open, the Chairman, NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike commended the friendship, collaboration and healthy competition between the NUJ and the Chinese Cultural Centre in Nigeria.
She said that Table Tennis is more than just a sport saying that it is a celebration of skill, agility and perseverance which are values that resonate deeply with the spirit of journalism and the unity it upholds.
“I would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the China Cultural Center for their invaluable support in making this tournament possible.
“Their commitment to fostering cultural exchange and friendship through sport truly enriches this event.
“We are grateful for their partnership and dedication to strengthening ties between our communities,” she said.
Chioma defeated Nie Xiaohua of the Chinese Cultural Center 11-2, 8-11, 11-9 in the final to emerge champion of the 2025 edition in Abuja on Saturday while Chen Huiling came third.
In the male singles category, Ignatius Nkoh of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) came third behind He Ling who emerged champion and Wang Yongtao who was the first runner up.
Victor Okoye of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who made his debut in the tournament also gave a good account of himself dismissing his Chinese opponent in the round of 32 in two straight sets.
He also saw off his colleague and fellow compatriot, Fortune Abang (2-0) in the Round of 16 before bowing it out gracefully in the quarter-finals to Chinese top-rated player, Gao Qian after a pulsating and nerve-wracking two-set encounter.
In the men’s double category, Wang Yangtao and He Ling emerged champions while Shi Changqiang and Xui Haita were first runner up and Ignatius Okoh and Nwokocha came third.
In the mixed double category, Shi Changqiang and Che Huiling emerged champions while He Ling and Nie Xoahua were first runner up while Tan Jian and Wan Lu came third.
NAN reports that winners of each category received a cash reward of N250,000, second place winners received a cash reward of N200,000 while third place winners took home cash reward of N150,000.
Earlier at the opening ceremony, the Director of Chinese Cultural Center in Nigeria, Mr Tang Jianxing said that the competition is a part of table tennis diplomacy.
He said that Nigeria and China are very close friends saying that Nigeria ranks among the first five friendly nations to China.
Jianxing who is also the Cultural Councilor of Chinese Embassy, said that there a mutual respect between both countries and that the competition was also an opportunity to get close at heart and know each other more though sports.
“I have to thank the NUJ and all the journalists in your country, without your understanding and your focus on China, your appreciation of Chinese culture, the mutual beneficial cooperation, the comprehensive strategic partnership between both cannot be very safe to stand the test of time,” he said.
In his goodwill message, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Mallam Ali M. Ali said that NAN is proud to be associated with the tournament.
Represented by the Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Mr Oluwole Shogunle, Ali said that represents values promoted by NAN.
“It foster friendship, stronger bilateral relations and team building and these are the values we prompt in the News Agency of Nigeria.
“So we are glad to be here today to be associated with this event; we congratulate the organisers, the NUJ and the Chinese Embassy for putting this together,” he said.
Also, the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Mr Salihu Dembos commended the centre for sustaining the competition to its 7th edition.
Represented by the General Manager Sports, Mr Ademuyi Kayode, Dembos recalled that table tennis was established in the late 19th century but became an official Olympics sports in 1988.
He said that since then Nigeria had been waxing stronger and have won many international medals across competitions.
He said that given the level of talents displayed at the annual event, it was time to involve the Nigerian Federation of Table Tennis.
Portuguese coach to be unveiled after club election, tasked with ending Madrid’s trophy drought
By Felix Umande
Jose Mourinho is set for a dramatic return to the Santiago Bernabeu after agreeing a three-year deal to become Real Madrid’s new head coach, more than a decade after his first spell in charge.
BBC Sport reported Friday that the Portuguese manager, 63, has reached an agreement with the club, though he will not be officially unveiled until after Real Madrid’s presidential election on 7 June.
Mourinho joins from Benfica, where he took charge last September and guided the Lisbon side to a third-place finish in the Primeira Liga this season without losing a match. His appointment comes after a trophyless 2025-26 campaign for Los Blancos.
The former Chelsea, Manchester United, and Roma boss replaces Álvaro Arbeloa, who was named interim coach in January following Xabi Alonso’s departure but failed to revive Madrid’s fortunes.
Real Madrid finished the season without silverware as rivals Barcelona clinched La Liga with a 2-0 El Clásico win, while the club exited the Champions League in the quarter-finals after a 6-4 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich.
Mourinho previously managed Madrid from 2010 to 2013, delivering La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup during a high-intensity tenure marked by his rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
Since leaving the Spanish capital in 2013, he returned to Chelsea to win the Premier League and EFL Cup in 2014-15, then led Manchester United to the Europa League, EFL Cup, and Community Shield in 2016-17 before his dismissal in 2018.
Stints at Tottenham, Roma — where he won the inaugural Europa Conference League in 2022 — Fenerbahce, and Benfica followed.
Real Madrid will now look to Mourinho’s vast experience and winning mentality to restore the club to the summit of Spanish and European football after a frustrating season.
His unveiling after the presidential vote will mark the start of a new chapter for both the club and the coach who once promised to make Madrid “the best team in the world.”
By Felix Umande
Arsenal have clinched the Premier League title, ending a 22-year wait to be crowned champions of England and igniting celebrations across North London.
The Gunners’ triumph marks their first league title since the 2003-04 “Invincibles” season, restoring the club to the summit of English football after more than two decades of near misses.
At the heart of the success is manager Mikel Arteta, who has made history by becoming the first former Premier League player to win the trophy as a manager. Arteta, who captained Arsenal during his playing days, has now guided his former club to the pinnacle as head coach.
The milestone cements Arteta’s transformation of the squad since taking charge, blending youthful energy with tactical discipline to deliver the club’s long-awaited return to the top.
Fans and former players have hailed the achievement as a defining moment in Arsenal’s modern era, with the title win seen as both a reward for the club’s rebuild and a statement of intent for the seasons ahead.
Burna Boy and Shakira released “Daï Daï” as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The song will support a global education initiative targeting $100 million in funding for disadvantaged children through royalties and donations.
FIFA confirmed that the 2026 World Cup final will feature a Super Bowl-style halftime concert for the first time.
Grammy Award-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy strengthened his position as one of Africa’s leading global music figures after collaborating with Shakira on “Daï Daï,” the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The track, released globally on Thursday, May 14, became the second single from the tournament’s official album and received a significantly warmer reception than “Lighter,” the first single performed by Jelly Roll and Carín León, which drew mixed reactions from audiences.
On her Instagram account, Shakira released a one-minute video revealing the title selected for the 2026 World Cup. The footage showed the singer walking through Maracanã Stadium after a live performance attended by a large crowd while carrying “Trionda,” the tournament’s official ball.
“Today, the road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 reached a new milestone with the release of the competition’s official song, Daï Daï, performed by Shakira and Burna Boy via Sony Music Latin,”FIFA said on its official website.
Afrobeats Secures a Global Stage
“Daï Daï” blends Latin pop and Afrobeats influences. The expression reportedly derives from Italian and means “Go!” — a universal chant of encouragement.
Shakira and Burna Boy combined their vocals and stage energy to celebrate football’s global appeal and cross-cultural exchange.
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known professionally as Burna Boy, plays a central role in the project. The 35-year-old artist brought Afrobeats’ signature sound and his international profile to the song, while Shakira contributed her Latin pop identity.
The collaboration further established Afrobeats as a major force in global music and positioned Burna Boy as one of the defining musical faces of the 2026 tournament.
Earlier this spring, Burna Boy became the first African artist to headline a solo concert at Stade de France. He also released his ninth studio album, “No Sign of Weakness” , in July 2025. The project remained rooted in Afrobeats while featuring collaborations with Mick Jagger, Travis Scott and Stromae.
Meanwhile, FIFA confirmed that the 2026 World Cup final, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, will include a halftime concert inspired by the Super Bowl format for the first time.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament will also mark the first edition featuring 48 national teams.
“Daï Daï” Supports Children’s Education
The “Daï Daï” initiative also carries a philanthropic dimension.
In partnership with FIFA and Global Citizen, Shakira aims to raise $100 million to improve access to education and football programs for disadvantaged children worldwide.
The project will direct all royalties generated by the song to the Education Fund. Meanwhile, Sony Music announced an initial donation of $250,000 to support the initiative and expand its social impact.
Ubrick F. Quenum
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