The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed as false, misleading, and baseless reports in social media platforms suggesting that Super Eagles players contributed funds for the renovation of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and are dissatisfied with alleged delays in renovation works.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, alongside his Sports counterpart, Elder Paul Bassey, clarified that the stadium is 100 percent maintained by the Akwa Ibom State Government, and at no time did any Super Eagles player, or any individual, donate money for its upgrade or upkeep. They emphasized that the facility remains in excellent condition.

“The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is one of the best football facilities in the world and currently the only stadium in Nigeria approved by both CAF and FIFA for international matches,” the Commissioners said, highlighting its compliance with global standards.

They made it clear that the stadium is maintained under a running contract with Julius Berger Plc which ensures an impeccable playing pitch, modern dressing rooms, FIFA-approved floodlights, and a fully functional electronic scoreboard, all of which were used during the last Super Eagles match in Uyo.

The Commissioners also pointed to recent recognition of the State by Sportsville, which named Akwa Ibom State Best in Sports Infrastructure, describing the accolade as independent validation of the government’s substantial investment in sports development.

Commissioner Paul Bassey further reiterated that the stadium has served as the home of the Super Eagles for over a decade without complaints from players, officials, or football authorities, and that the state government consistently provides for the team’s logistics and welfare whenever matches are held in Uyo.

Reacting to the false reports, the Secretary of the Super Eagles, Mr. Enebi Achor, described the publication alluding to players contributing to the maintenance of the stadium as “embarrassing,” noting that the players were surprised by the narrative and questioned its origin.

The Information Commissioner warned that individuals, groups, and blogs must strictly adhere to verified facts and desist from spreading false information, stressing that dissemination of fake news is punishable by law.

He further emphasized that under the leadership of Pastor Umo Eno, the Akwa Ibom State Government continues to invest heavily in sports development, including the sustained maintenance of the stadium, construction of modern facilities, provision of equipment, hosting sports festivals, and talent development programs.

The government urged the public to disregard the false publication entirely, describing it as a smear attempt that will not distract the administration from its resolve to advance sports development in Akwa Ibom State.

Oleksandr Usyk has faced an extensive list of elite opponents and has overcome every single one of them, but when it came to naming the hardest punching dance partners of his career, the Ukrainian surprisingly left out two names.

Usyk has become just the second fighter in history to become undisputed at both cruiserweight and heavyweight, picking up all four world titles in each division to match, if not better, the achievements of Evander Holyfield.

Up at heavyweight, Usyk has faced two men that can be considered as genuine knockout artists, twice beating both Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, halting the latter on both occasions and outpointing ‘AJ’ in each of their matchups.

Although, in an interview with Daily Mail Boxing, the unified heavyweight ruler left both Joshua and Dubois off of a list when quizzed to name the hardest punching opponents of his career. Instead, the 39-year-old humorously gave top spot to the horse that kicked him when he was a child.

“5. Murat Gassiev, 4. Mairis Briedis, 3. Tyson Fury, 2. Derek Chisora, 1. Horses.”

Usyk met Fury twice in 2024, winning both of those battles on points, while he defeated Chisora in just his second fight at heavyweight back in 2020, in a bout that he has referred to in the past as one of his toughest in the division to date.

The Ukrainian will return to action on Saturday, May 23, when he attempts to defend his WBC world title in an unorthodox meeting against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza.

The fiancée of Buffalo Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin received a roaring welcome home in her first appearance of the season Wednesday night, months after undergoing a lifesaving transplant after she suffered heart failure during a vacation in France.

Carolina Matovac, 25, was shown on the jumbotron during Wednesday’s game against the Boston Bruins. Fans cheered as she waved, and Dahlin, who was also shown on the screen in a split, cracked a smile at the crowd’s reaction.  

Carolina Matovac and Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres pose on the red carpet at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Feb. 1, 2024. (Nicole Osborne/NHLI via Getty Images)

“Welcome home to Carolina Matovac, the fiancée of our captain Rasmus Dahlin,” the arena announcer said. “She is back with us, attending her first game of the season. The Sabrehood loves you, Carolina.” 

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In an open letter to fans in September, Dahlin shared that Matovac had been feeling ill for several days during their trip, which led to her experiencing “major heart failure.”

“Fortunately, she received CPR on multiple occasions, and up to a couple of hours at a time to keep her alive, which ultimately saved her life. Without her receiving lifesaving CPR, the result would have been unimaginable. It is hard to even think about the worst-case scenario,” he wrote at the time. 

Rasmus Dahlin (of the Buffalo Sabres prepares for a faceoff during a game against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y., Oct. 9, 2025. (Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

Matovac remained on life support for weeks before receiving the transplant in France.

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In January, Matovac revealed she was pregnant when her heart failed, adding that her unborn child was the reason she went to the hospital initially. 

“You will always hold a special place in our hearts as our first baby, even though we never had the chance to meet. Our love for you is endless,” she wrote in a post on Instagram on what was supposed to be her due date.

“Though you didn’t get to experience this world, you played a vital role in ensuring that I could continue to be a part of it.” 

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin follows the puck in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on April 1, 2025. (Marc DesRosiers/Imagn Images)

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Despite taking some time to be with Matovac as she recovered in their native Sweden, Dahlin is second on the team with 65 points, and the Sabres are on the cusp of ending an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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As Arizona prepares to play in its 12th all-time Elite 8 on Saturday, we’ve compiled a list of all such appearances by schools in the West.

The region boasts 29 Elite 8 teams, 19 of which have made two or more appearances, led by UCLA with 22, Arizona with 12, and Oregon, Oregon State, and San Francisco all with seven.

But before we get to the list, for those who may be interested, a little history.

The NCAA recognizes Elite 8 appearances since the first tournament in 1939, even though only eight teams participated in the tournament from 1939 to 1950.

Between 1939 and 1950, there were only 8 teams in the tournament, so all teams can claim an Elite 8 appearance.

However, from 1975 to 1984, all teams were required to play at least one game before the Sweet 16, and since 1985, all have been required to play at least three games to make the Elite 8.

Here is the list of participating schools from the region.

It was a day of Olympic history. 

After the International Olympic Committee updated its policies to prevent biological males from competing in women’s sports, multiple Olympians gave their reactions.

Several Olympians, including gold medalists, shared their thoughts on the new policy with Fox News Digital. 

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Kaillie Humphries, three-time Olympic gold medalist bobsled athlete for US and Canada

Kaillie Humphries, a U.S. Olympic bronze medalist bobsled athlete, presents the Order of Ikkos to President Donald Trump during a Women’s History Month event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., March 12, 2026. (Al Drago/Bloomberg)

“Today is a great day for women’s sports and a big win in the Olympic world. By implementing the sex testing, it will allow for fair competition. It used to happen years ago, and by bringing it back it will protect the women’s category. I think it’s very fitting that LA28 will be the games to protect women’s sports as it’s something that our president has advocated for,” Humphries told Fox News Digital. 

Donna de Varona, three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer for the US

President Ronald Reagan with Donna De Varona as they address the Women’s Sports Foundation. (Getty Images)

“With the election of Kirsty Coventry, an Olympic champion, and her decision to appoint another woman to lead the medical commission, it was informative that the IOC decided to go outside to reach researchers to base this opinion on science and fairness. And it’s the right decision,” de Varona told Fox News Digital. 

“Really, science and research is how this decision was based. I mean, I basically think everyone should have an opportunity in sport, but, in the Olympic arena, it’s a zero-sum game.” 

Gary Hall Jr., five-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer for the US

U.S. swimmers Anthony Ervin, left, and Gary Hall Jr., center, who tied for the gold medal in the men’s 50m freestyle, stand with Dutch swimmer Pieter van den Hoogenband, right, who won the bronze medal, Sept. 22, 2000 at the Sydney International Aquatic Center during the Summer Olympics in Sydney.  (AP Photo/David Longstreath, file)

“The IOC made the right decision, supporting women’s rights. Transgender athletes are not being banned from the Olympic Games. The ruling very specifically bans born males from competing in women’s events. Which is the right thing to do, by every account of science and common sense. A born male after transition can still compete in men’s events, and I wish they luck,” Hall told Fox News Digital. 

MyKayla Skinner, US silver medalist gymnast at Tokyo 2020

MyKayla Skinner of the United States poses with the silver medal after the women’s vault final at Ariake Gymnastics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.  (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

“The best news! About time!” Skinner told Fox News Digital.

Leah Amico, three-time gold medalist softball player for the US

Leah Amico of the USA competes during the preliminary softball game between the USA and Italy on Aug. 14, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Softball Stadium in the Helliniko Olympic Complex in Athens, Greece. The USA defeated Italy 7-0.   (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

“I fully support the IOC’s decision to protect the women’s category in Olympic competition. As a three-time Olympic gold medalist in softball, I believe women deserve to compete on a level playing field, against other biological females. Girls and women fought a long time to compete on the world’s greatest athletic stage and this is their chance to shine. I am so thankful the IOC had the courage to take this stand,” Amico told Fox News Digital. 

Katie Uhlaender, US skeleton athlete, five-time Olympian

Katie Uhlaender of the U.S. competes during the women’s skeleton race during the 2025 IBSF World Championships at Mt. Van Hoevenberg March 7, 2025, in Lake Placid, N.Y.  (Al Bello/Getty Images)

“This is huge for women’s sport. For years, female athletes have asked for clarity, consistency and fairness in competition. Not politics. Not ambiguity. Just clear standards that protect the integrity of the category we train our entire lives to compete in. Sport only works when rules are applied consistently and athletes can trust them,” Uhlaender told Fox News Digital. 

“Progress doesn’t come from avoiding hard conversations. It comes from addressing them with courage. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen, who protected women’s sport.”

Tyler Clary, US gold medalist swimmer at London 2012

U.S. swimmer Tyler Clary celebrates winning gold in the men’s 200-meter backstroke final at the London 2012 Olympic Games Aug. 2, 2012, in London.   (Christophe Simon/AFP)

“This is a long-overdue return to common sense, and the IOC deserves credit for taking a clear stand. At the elite level, fairness matters, and protecting the women’s category based on biological reality is essential to preserving it,” Clary told Fox News Digital. 

Maciej Czyżowicz, Polish Olympic gold medalist pentathlete at Barcelona 1992

Polish pentathalon gold medalist Maciej Czyżowicz (Courtesy of Maciej Czyzowicz)

“Better late than never. This decision by the IOC is a big step in the right direction. After all, it has long been known that one cannot change one’s sex. And if someone was born a man, then even if they start wearing women’s clothing, they will still remain a man. Besides, there are significant differences between the two sexes in terms of strength and speed, which puts female athletes at a disadvantage right from the start,” Czyzowicz told Fox News Digital. 

“So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports, it would simply not be safe. I believe this decision protects women’s sports, specifically by preventing transgender athletes from competing against biological women.”

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CELEBRATES PROGRESS AFTER A YEAR OF TRUMP ADMIN’S FIGHT TO SAVE WOMEN’S SPORTS

Nancy Hogshead, three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer for the US

Olympic gold medalist Nancy Hogshead (Courtesy of XX-XY Athletics)

“Playing sport is a human right. Today’s IOC announcement affirms that principle of inclusion and diversity. All athletes are to compete in their category; their weight, age, ability category and, now, their sex category. On behalf of women in sport, thank you for your leadership, IOC,” Hogshead said in a statement. 

Martina Navratilova, women’s tennis legend and US Olympian at Athens 2004

Former Czech tennis player Martina Navratilova receives the golden racket during the Italian tennis internationals at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, May 21, 2023. (Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

Brian Goodell, two-time gold medalist swimmer for the US

The 1976 Summer Olympic Games aired on the ABC Television Network from July 17 to August 1, 1976. Shoot Date: July 20, 1976.  (ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

“The Olympic Games are predicated on the best athletes in the world competing in fair competition. Today, the IOC took a stand for fairness. Women deserve their own category so that they can showcase their incredible athletic accomplishments at the Olympics. Preserving the women’s category is both fair for women, and it is also good for the Olympic Movement,” Goodell told Fox News Digital. 

Inga Thompson, US women’s cyclist, three-time Olympian

“If men are allowed to compete in women’s sports, in time, women will be erased from ever having opportunities to even compete at the Olympic level. You will have two categories in the Olympics. DSD/trans and the men’s category. Sex testing worked very well and was non-intrusive. A simple buccal cheek swab once in your lifetime,” Thompson told Fox News Digital. 

“Welcome news today from the IOC. People who adopt different gender identities, such as transgender, gender non-conforming or others should be afforded the same human rights as other citizens and protected from discrimination, so long as no sex-based rights are compromised,” Navratilova said in a statement.

“It’s what the gay, lesbian and bisexual community fought for over decades. Today’s IOC decision recognizes that, in Olympic sports, sex matters, and women’s sex-based rights must take precedence over gender-based identities.”

Giddeon Massie, US men’s cyclist, two-time Olympian

“There really is little to be lauded over the IOC’s woefully slow decision. It should have always been a most simple and basic logical conclusion that is unequivocally founded in God’s design of male and female,” Massie told Fox News Digital. 

“Our female Olympic and Paralympic athletes work too hard to have their dreams of achievement undermined by a man’s self-deception of reality. Sadly, the battlegrounds remain extensive amongst the grassroots and recreational sporting arenas, and those must continue to be contested for the sake of young ladies everywhere, now and into the future.”

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Carrie Englert Zimmerman, US women’s gymnast at Montreal 1976

“Finally, the International Olympic Committee showed some balls and chose fairness over fear. As an Olympian, I didn’t dedicate my life to competing on a manipulated playing field — one tilted and disguised as inclusion,” Zimmerman told Fox News Digital.

“As an Olympian, I didn’t dedicate my life to competing on a manipulated playing field —one tilted and disguised as inclusion. Women’s sport exists because biological differences matter — strength, power and muscle developed through male puberty aren’t erased, and pretending otherwise erases us. Fairness isn’t controversial. Let little girls dream of gold — not allow those dreams to be lost or tarnished.”

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England won all eight of their qualifying games, scoring 22 goals and conceding none to finish comfortably clear at the top of Group K.

However, their group opponents were Albania, Andorra, Latvia and Serbia – four sides ranked outside the top 20 in the world.

Indeed their toughest test in terms of ranking last year was a friendly against Senegal, who were 19th in the world at the time. England lost 3-1.

It may have been a non-competitive match, but the Three Lions’ performance in that game was concerning.

“No discernible plan. No identity. No improvement – arguably even a regression – since Sir Gareth Southgate stepped down after defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin,” wrote BBC Sport’s chief football writer Phil McNulty after the game.

“[Tuchel] may offer up mitigating circumstances as he made 10 changes from the World Cup qualifying win against Andorra, plus this was a friendly at the end of a long season. But it was still a sobering, alarming evening as Senegal outclassed England.”

While that result and performance may have been a blip, England needed to face higher-ranked opponents to test them before heading to the World Cup – and they should get that against Uruguay and then Japan, who are 19th in the world.

President Donald Trump on Thursday addressed the Iranian regime’s execution of 19-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi. 

“About two weeks ago, they put out a notice that if you protest, we will shoot you. They kill them. Look what they did to the wrestler. They killed him for, for speaking up. They killed him. He was a star wrestler, a great wrestler, actually,” Trump said during an interview on Fox News’ “The Five.”

“Iran has great wrestlers, and he was a star, one of the best. And they killed him because he spoke up. He spoke against the regime, which is largely decimated.”

Mohammadi was reportedly killed in a public hanging earlier this month, according to Iranian American human rights activists and dissidents.

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Iran International reported that Iran’s regime hanged Mohammadi and two other Iranian men, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi “after being accused of killing two police officers during nationwide protests earlier this year,” the judiciary-linked Mizan news agency reported.

Mohammadi previously told Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting that his dream was to be an Olympic champion. 

Mohammadi won a bronze medal in September 2024 for Iran’s national freestyle wrestling at the Saytiyev International Cup in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

The execution prompted comments of mourning and outrage from multiple Olympians, including U.S. gold medalists Brandon Slay, a wrestler; Tyler Clary, a swimmer; and Kaillie Humphries, a women’s bobsledder.

IRAN HOSTAGE SURVIVOR SAYS TRUMP ‘ABSOLUTELY’ RIGHT TO LAUNCH OPERATION EPIC FURY, FINALLY CONFRONT REGIME

The International Olympic Committee prompted criticism for its statement addressing the execution because it did not condemn Iran. 

“Sadly, today’s world is divided and full of conflicts and tragedies. The IOC cares deeply about the situation of athletes all around the globe and is concerned every time it learns of individual cases of mistreatment,” the IOC said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“However, it is very difficult to comment on situations of individuals during a conflict or unrest in a country without the IOC being able to verify the often contradicting information.

“At this moment in time, we are particularly concerned about the situation of Iranian athletes impacted by the events unfolding in their country, as we are with all athletes who face conflict and tragedies elsewhere in the world. Unfortunately, these situations are more regularly brought to our attention due to the increasingly divided world in which we live.”

The IOC noted it does not have the power to dictate the decisions of a sovereign nation. 

“The IOC, as a civil, non-governmental organization, has neither the remit nor the ability to change the laws or political system of a sovereign country. This is the legitimate role of governments and the respective intergovernmental organizations. 

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“The IOC is a sports organization whose remit and success is based on bringing the world together in peaceful competition. We have to be realistic about the IOC’s ability to directly influence global and national affairs,” the statement continued.

“At the same time, we will continue to work with our Olympic stakeholders to help where we can, often through quiet sports diplomacy. The IOC remains in touch with the Olympic community from Iran.”

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A new licence has been granted for the Peterborough BMX Club as part of its aspirations to attract national-level competitions.

On Tuesday, Peterborough City Council’s cabinet members voted to replace its previous agreement, where the authority was liable for the track’s maintenance, and issued a community licence that would enable the club to apply for funding from groups such as Sport England.

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The council owns the track based in Orton Malborne, which is a community sports facility that has been used by the club for more than 40 years.

The track was an important local facility that had unrestricted access for community use, the council said.

Any external funding secured by the club would be used to upgrade the facility to a national competition standard.

Following the decision, the club will be liable for all the track’s repairs, maintenance and improvements.

Mohammed Jamil, the authority’s Labour cabinet member for finance and corporate services, said: “Granting this licence is a win-win for Peterborough City Council because it is reducing the financial burden on the authority of maintaining the site.

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“It also preserves the unrestricted public access and gives Peterborough the opportunity of becoming a location for national BMX events, putting the city on the map as a place to visit for BMX enthusiasts.”

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday only “biological females” will be allowed to compete in women‘s events, preventing transgender women from competing.

The IOC is reintroducing testing for gender to determine eligibility to take part in women’s events from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics onwards.

The move will also rule out many athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD).

In a major shift of policy, the IOC is abandoning rules it brought in in 2021 which allowed individual federations to decide their own policy and is instead implementing a policy across all Olympic sports.

“Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a one-time SRY gene screening,” the IOC said in a statement.

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