The IOC denounced diplomatic moves to promote the inaugural event in September as “a cynical attempt by the Russian Federation” to bring politics into sports.
The games aim to counter the country’s increasing isolation in international sports — and growing tensions with the IOC and Bach — since the military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Friendship Games aim to launch within weeks of the August 11 closing ceremony at the Paris Olympics, where the IOC does not pay prize money for medalists.
One reported goal of the Friendship Games has been to create international competitions for Russian athletes and teams whose careers have stalled during the war in Ukraine. Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, Nathan Tella, Moses Simon, and Stanley Nwabali are among the 10 players who have arrived the Super Eagles camp ahead of their friendly games against Ghana and Mali. The other five players already in camp are Semi Ajayi, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi, Cyriel Dessers, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. More players are…
West Africa’s best golfers have been lined up to battle for the Custodian Classic’s N20 million purse on March 28 at Lakowe Lakes Golf Club, Lagos.
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