Top seven sports events last week: NPFL postponed, France win World Cup

LMC postpones NPFL resumption indefinitely

The League Management Company [LMC] suspended the Nigeria Professional Football League because of the 2018 World Cup but due to another crisis engulfing the Nigeria Football Federation, the body was sported saying, in a release on July 17, “The decision is based on the current adverse circumstances in the administration of football in the country, as a result of which sponsors, partners and service providers have expressed strong concerns and are reviewing their involvement in the league.

“Furthermore, organising matches of the NPFL under the current circumstances might cause irreversible damage to the league brand,” the release added.

Kerber got her 3rd Grand Slam title

It was a pound of flesh for Angelique Kerber last Saturday at Wimbledon against 2016 conqueror, Serena Williams. We sported the German left-hander delivering the perfect game to beat new mother, Serena Williams, who returned to the WTA Tour after a 10-month absence 6-3 6-3. Kerber is now one Grand Slam shy of joining players that have won all four Grand Slams with the French Open the elusive title.

France snagged 2nd World Cup

Six goals were sported scored in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia last Sunday at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. After their first ever triumph in 1998, by a side captained by Didier Deschamps, he returned the trophy to the Champs Elysee as manager. There was plenty of sported intrigue, drama and controversy in that win – an own goal, a VAR penalty, and a goalkeeping howler meant six goals – the number in the four preceding finals were scored.

Djokovic won his 13th Grand Slam

More than two years after his last Grand Slam title, 30-year-old Novak Djokovic returned to the spotlight by claiming the 2018 Wimbledon Championships. The Serb, who fell out of the top 10 on account of injuries and personal challenged defeated South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 6-2 6-2 7-6 to claim his fourth title at SW19 and his 13th Grand Slam title. Sported courtside were his wife and son, cheering him on.

Manny Pacquiao won the WBC belt at 39

Philippine Senator, Manny Pacquiao put age and politics aside last Sunday as he was sported easily and he surprisingly knocked out defending WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse in the seventh round to claim his eighth world boxing title in Kuala Lumpur. The 39-year-old Filipino boxing legend improved his boxing record to 60-7-2.

Ronaldo finalised his Juventus move

After nine glorious years at Madrid, Juventus completed the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo on Monday – #CR7DAY. After the normal medical, the 33-year-old was sported declaring his intention to ‘leave his mark’ on the Old Lady. In a transfer that is worth $105 million with a pay package of about $30 million a year, he will leave a mark and a dent in Juventus’ coffers even though the club is already recouping the financial layout with increased numbers on their Social Media platforms and a stratospheric jump in shirt sales.

Kim ran riot and rich at John Deere

Michael Kim, who had missed the cut in five of his last six tournaments turned on the afterburners at the John Deere classics and ran away with the title. Kim shot a final-round 66 on Sunday to win the John Deere Classic by a record-setting eight strokes. The American, who turned 25 on Saturday, was sported finishing at 27-under 257 to break Steve Stricker’s tournament record from 2010 by one shot. With the win, the American almost quadrupled his season earnings with a winner’s share of $1.044 million. Another bonus was the qualification for this week’s Open at Carnoustie.