Top Seven Sporting Events: NPFL may terminate, Bolt to make football debut

NPFL may not resume

With the October 15 deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for sending in the names of teams that will represent countries in the CAF Champions League and the Confederations Cup, the League Management Company [LMC] is looking at ingenious ways of concluding the 2018 Nigeria Professional Football League season with 14 weeks left to play.

Nigerian boxer wins without throwing a punch

Heavyweight boxer, Curtis Harper, was spotted walking out of the ring at the opening bell for his fight against Efe Ajagba on live TV! Ajagba thus won by disqualification without throwing a punch or working up sweat away from the bright lights. The BBC reported, “He walked out of the ring because he’s not getting paid enough to fight and that he wants respect.”

But the fight promoter, Leon Margules, also told the BBC, “He signed a contract and agreed to the fight. First time we heard about money issues was after he left the ring. He weighed in and showed up on time and even touched gloves before the bell. It is strange. If he didn’t like the deal, why did he accept the fight and money?”

Meanwhile, the win took 24-year-old Ajagba’s professional boxing record to six wins from six, including five by knockouts.

Hamilton races to record 69th pole at Spa

Lewis Hamilton eclipsed the record of 68 pole positions achieved by Michael Schumacher at the Belgium Grand Prix last Saturday. The English driver went on to finish behind Sebastian Vettel in the race proper on Sunday, which means they are now separated by 17 points.

Taking to Twitter after his record-breaking exploits on Saturday, Hamilton wrote, “Michael, last year it was a true honour to equal your all-time Pole Position record of 68. Words can never describe what it felt like to reach an achievement of an all-time inspiration and hero. I pray for you and your family all the time.”

Diop makes bad history in the EPL

West Ham United defender Issa Diop would not want to be remembered for the notorious history he ended up making in the English Premier League against Arsenal last Saturday. The 21-year-old was spoted at the Emirates Stadium in London, becoming the eighth player to score an own goal on his EPL debut and the first West Ham to do so in the competition. Not something to be remembered for!

Ginobili calls it a day

Manu Ginobili is dropping the ball after 23 active and winning years. Writing on Twitter, the player fondly called Manu said, “Today, with a wide range of feelings, I’m announcing my retirement from basketball. IMMENSE GRATITUDE to everyone (family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, fans) involved in my life in the last 23 years. It’s been a fabulous journey. Way beyond my wildest dreams.” The 41-year-old Argentine joined the San Antonio Spurs in 2002 and won the NBA title four times – 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014.

75th richest man in the world wins bronze at Asian Games

Despite being the 75th richest man in the world, with an estimated worth of $11.7 billion, Michael Bambang Hartono won a bronze at the 2018 Asian Games, playing Bridge for Indonesia. The 78-year-old persistently harangued the organisers of the Asian Games to include bridge in the competition. In a team of five, Indonesia came joint third with Chinese Taipei in the super mixed team event in Indonesia. Harpoon believes ”If you want to be a good leader and a successful man, play bridge”.

Bolt gets his chance at professional football

Retired 100m and 200m world record holder, Usain Bolt, has been spotted in Australia continuing on his path of reinvention as a football player and he will be afforded the chance to prove he can hack it in a friendly match for Central Coast Mariners – an Australian A-League side next Friday.

Having had trials at Borussia Dortmund, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Stromsgodset, the 31-year-old who has said he always had the dream of playing football told the BBC, “For me, it’s about just getting fit and as many touches of the ball that I can. The more I play, the more comfortable I get.”