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Heartland players injured as coach Christian Obi dies in road accident

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Christian Power Obi, the head coach of Heartland FC, has died in a car accident.

In a statement shared on Saturday, the club said Obi passed away on Friday from injuries sustained after the team bus was involved in a crash in Okigwe, Imo.

The statement revealed that players and staff of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) club were on their way to participate in the TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme pre-season tournament in Ebonyi when the accident occurred.

The accident involved one of the team’s three vehicles “which rammed into a carelessly parked truck while attempting to evade an oncoming vehicle”.

The statement added that injured players and staff are still being treated at a nearby hospital in Okwelle, Imo state.

“The heart breaking day saw the Heartland FC team departing the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri for the preseason Tournament with enthusiasm at around 3:30pm in three vehicles but at about some minutes after 4pm, one of the vehicles rammed into a carelessly parked truck in its attempt to evade an oncoming vehicle,” the statement reads in part.

“The driver tried as he could but the impact of the collision caused a sudden shock to our coach, Christian Obi who was unconscious with a slight injury to his right leg upon evacuation from the badly affected part of the bus.

“Coach Obi and other injured players were rushed to the nearby hospital at Okwelle in Onuimo LGA of Imo State but despite the best efforts of the medical personnel our revered coach gave up the ghost.

“Words alone cannot fully capture how the news of his death has thrown everyone at the club into deep mourning because of how precious Coach Obi was to the club.

“His name would continue to remain etched in the history of the club following the club’s unbeaten run in the Nigeria National League throughout the 2022-23 season a feat that culminated in the club winning the NNL Super 8 in Asaba, Delta State.

“We appreciate the concerns from all and sundry on the unfortunate incident but the club demands that its privacy and that of the Late Obi’s family be respected during this dark period. The club will not be making further statements for the time being.

“Coach Obi remains have since been deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH) morgue in Owerri while the injured have been referred to the same hospital for more proper care.”

Obi was at the helm as Heartland FC suffered relegation from the NPFL last season. He was 57 years old at the time of his death.

The deceased coach was part of the Nigeria U-20 team that won the bronze at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship — now FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The former goalkeeper was also in the Nigerian football squad at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.

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Alex Iwobi opens shop to donate free Chrismas food to poor families in London

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Alex Iwobi, the Super Eagles midfielder, has opened a temporary shop where poor families can get free food for Christmas celebrations.

The shop, named ‘Alexpress’, is situated in Canning Town in East London, the community where the footballer was raised.

The pop-up stall is loaded with various food items stacked neatly in rows, and all offerings have a price tag of £0.

In a chat with the BBC, Iwobi cited his parents as his “role models,” who have inspired him to be altruistic since he was younger.

“This is where I was raised for my primary school education. People, families are going come in. They select a drink and the stuff for the house. There are different foods that they can take, and by the end of it, there is a turkey,” the 28-year-old said.

“‘Alexpress’ is a minimart to try to give out food to families that are not able to get food for Christmas. If I can help them celebrate Christmas, why not?

“Just seeing how my parents are, I have always seen them give back. And with that as my role models, I fill like when I am in a position I am today, or if I was in less position, I would try my best to give back and help the less fortunate and people who are not able to eat.”

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Arsenal’s Saka out for many weeks with hamstring injury

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Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for “many weeks” after suffering a hamstring injury in Arsenal’s 5-1 win at Crystal Palace, manager Mikel Arteta said Monday.

Asked at a press conference about the 23-year-old England international’s condition, Arteta said: “It is not looking good. He will be out for many weeks.”

Saka was filmed leaving Selhurst Park on crutches on Saturday, souring what had been a comprehensive second win over the Eagles in four days.

Arteta said after the match: “He felt something in his hamstring. He couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed, so I’m pretty worried about that one.”

He also revealed on Monday that Raheem Sterling had injured his knee and would be out for many weeks.

Arteta was asked if there was a fear Saka would not return before the end of the season.

“No (there’s no fear),” he said. “I’m very optimistic he’ll be back before the end of the season.”

The Spaniard said it was part of the “development of a player”.

“It could have been much worse. It could have been something else that can take you out for a year,” he said.

“It’s how you react to that, how you overcome that situation and it’s a great learning process for him as well.

“It is what it is. He’s injured, we cannot change it. We’re going to use this time now to help him.”

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Australian tennis star, Max Purcell, suspended for doping

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The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced today that a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, Max Purcell has been voluntarily suspended for breaking anti-doping rules.

The Australian, who is ranked 12th in the world for doubles, admitted to a breach of the regulations relating to the use of a “prohibited method” and had “requested to enter into a provisional suspension on December 10.”

No other details were divulged.

“Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction,” the ITIA said, with the ban coming into effect on December 12.

Under the suspension, the 26-year-old is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised by any of the sport’s governing bodies or national associations.

It means he will currently not be able to play in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park in January.

Purcell won the 2022 Wimbledon doubles title alongside fellow Australian Matt Ebden and the United States Open crown this year, partnered by Jordan Thompson.

Tennis Australia stressed that the breach related to a prohibited method, rather than a prohibited substance.

“The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed the breach relates to the use of a prohibited method, rather than the presence of a prohibited substance.

“As the matter is currently under investigation, it is inappropriate to comment further at this time,” it said in a statement carried by Australian media.

The ITIA is the same organisation that charged top-ranked Jannik Sinner and world number two Iga Swiatek over breaches of its anti-doping programme.

Italy’s Sinner was exonerated after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.

He is currently awaiting the outcome of a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal against the decision.

Swiatek tested positive for a banned heart medication in August.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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