CELEBRITY
Fabio, the Grand Master at 80: When nickname becomes the real name
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Two iconic Nigerians from two sectors that have magnetic pulls on the citizens clock 80 today 2 March 2022. The Grandmaster of sports journalism, Fabio Lanipekun is 80 and shares the great occasion with the charismatic Pastor Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
It is also the Ash Wednesday, already the ash colour of the afro hair of Fabio Lanipekun, illustrates the day. Some years back, the coincidence of the birthday with Pastor Adeboye was put to Lanipekun; the grandmaster said he was oblivious of the coincidence.
He remarked that he was eternally grateful to God for letting him have something in common with the man of God who years ago was ranked by the influential Time Magazine as the third most influential individual on the Planet Earth.
Foreign names have become a common phenomenon in Nigeria. But the trend is more towards Biblical and English names.
Fabio is an Italian name. How did the grandmaster get an Italian name? He explained that he was born as Adesola Lanipekun and that Fabio, the name that he is popularly known, was actually a nickname!
It stuck while he was in his third year at Methodist Boys High School, the institution that has the honour of being the inaugural winners of the Principals’ Cup when it was called the ‘Schools Cup’ in 1948 before changing to Zard Cup in 1959 and Principals Cup since 1965.
According to Lanipekun, he read an 1886 romance book titled “Vendetta”. It was a story of a forgotten fellow, Fabio Romani, an Italian count who was thought to be dead. The novel was written by Mary Corelli.
Lanipekun said he was fascinated by the central figure of the novel, Fabio Romani. “I enjoyed the book that I started calling myself ‘Fabio”, remarked Lanipekun.
That was the origin of the nickname that has over seven decades become his name. He remarked that his parents initially objected to it each time school friend came to ask after ‘Fabio’. But somehow, it has stuck.
He has been a media practitioner since 1962 when he was a reporter with the now defunct Daily Express which was based in the Apogbon area on Lagos Island. He is one of the earliest Nigerian media practitioners to train specifically in sports journalism.
That was when he enrolled at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London in 1964. This is symbolic as even up till now, in spite of the pervasiveness of sports writing across all platforms, there is hardly any school of journalism or mass communication that sports writing is offered as a course.
Lanipekun therefore ranks as possibly the only active journalist trained in sports writing. That probably explains his often critical mind of most writings in newspapers.
In the late 1980s as a Group Sports Editor at Concord Press, I had a teacher in Fabio Lanipekun. Each time I drove into the National Stadium, Lagos where the sports desk of the NTA was domiciled, ‘Baba Fabio’, as we used to call him, would flag me down to either commend or criticise any write up in my publication.
His views were usually well informed and deeply rooted. He cherished in-depth and analytical write ups. Gradually, he started shaping my mind.
My most cherished meeting with him was outside the Nigerian shores at the 1987 U-16 World Youth Tournament in Canada. As a rookie reporter, I needed him for guidance. He was also around when I covered my first Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria in 1990 as well as my first attendance of the World Cup at Italia ‘90 and my first Olympic Games at Barcelona ‘92.
But my first knowledge of him was almost 10 years before I ventured into journalism. At first it was his trendy look – afro hairstyle and the alluring smiles that adorned his face – that drew him to me each time I watched him present sports programme on the only television station one could get in Ibadan, the WNTV, first in Africa!
At the time, ‘Sports Galore’ on WNTV on Saturdays made interesting viewing. I can’t forget his signature signing off: “Am backing sports all the way, what about you?”
He joined the WNTV/WNBS (Western Nigeria Television/Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service) after a brief spell at the NBC Lagos (Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation), the fore runner to the present day Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).
He started as a newspaper reporter before switching to television. He had a mentor in David Coleman, an English sports commentator in BBC. David Coleman who died nine years ago.
At Sydney 2000, Coleman who for 46 years worked for BBC was awarded the Olympic Order, the highest honour of the Olympic Movement. Lanipekun worked briefly with him as news assistant at the BBC World Service.
When he returned to Nigeria, he had another mentor in Ishola Folorunsho before switching to WNTV/WNBS on February 17, 1969. On May 18, 1969 he had his first coverage of a football match for the WNTV when he ran commentaries of the Ghana versus Nigeria World Cup qualifying match in Accra.
He rose to the position of Manager, Sports at the NTA before retirement. It is a paradox that in spite of Lanipekun’s knack for documentation, it will amount to searching for a pin on the seashore for one to get audio visuals of old football matches at the NTA.
Ten years ago, the issue was put to Lanipekun. “We had a well organised audio-visual library at the WNTV Ibadan. In those days, within five minutes, you can trace any material at the library.
“But when the NTA took over in 1976, they did not keep up to the evolving technology. We started with bulky video tapes. Now those are no longer in use. The globe has digitalised.”
Diego Maradona’s death “would have been avoided” if the medical team around him had done their job, his daughter Dalma accused on Tuesday at the trial of health professionals of the circumstances of the death of the Argentine football idol
Dalma, 38, the elder of Maradona’s two daughters with his ex-wife Claudia Villafañe, was a star witness on the 11th day of the trial in San Isidro (north of Buenos Aires). And like others since the start of the trial, she blamed the caregivers of her father’s final weeks and the framework of his convalescence.
” If they had done their job, (his death) would have been avoided,” Dalma said, referring to the medical team and in particular to three of the accused: attending physician and neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and psychologist Carlos Diaz.
” They deceived us (the family) in the most cruel way (…) They made us believe that the only possible option was to convalesce at home after his operation, in a house that was rented for the occasion in Tigre (north of Buenos Aires),” Dalma said.
According to them, ” it would be a serious home hospitalisation,” Diego would have everything like in a clinic, but in a house,” with 24/7 medical attention, medical equipment, an ambulance at the door permanently, she continued.
” It never happened,” she said in a statement often interrupted by tears. In this “disgusting, piss-smelling ” house, a doctor only came to see him from time to time.”
Maradona died at the age of 60 on November 25, 2020, from a cardiorespiratory crisis complicated by pulmonary oedema, in this private residence, where he had been convalescing for two weeks after neurosurgery for a head hematoma.
Seven practitioners – doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses – are accused of “homicide with possible intent”, characterised when a person commits negligence while knowing that it can lead to death.
Mr. Luque, who was close to Maradona, ” was his primary care physician, and I didn’t think he was recommending something that wouldn’t be best for my father,” Dalma continued.
With his sister Gianinna ” we didn’t have much influence, we could say what we thought but didn’t decide anything .” Sometimes someone from the care team or from the entourage would say “that Dad was sleeping, sometimes that he didn’t want to see anyone,” that the best thing was not to disturb him. “
” In hindsight, we should have decided.”
Last Tuesday, Veronica Ojeda, ex-partner and mother of Maradona’s son born in 2013, testified that the star’s close entourage “kept him as if he were sequestered” in the last months of his life.
The practitioners on trial, who deny any responsibility for the death, are seeking sentences of 8 to 25 years in prison. The trial is expected to last until July, with one or two hearings per week.
–Le360 (with AFP)
Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava found out the hard way that there are consequences for seeking an autograph from eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup winner Lionel Messi — he was hit with a CONCACAF disciplinary sanction.
As the final whistle blew on Inter Miami’s 1-0 Champions Cup win over Sporting Kansas City, secured by a brilliant second-half goal from Messi, the referee known as ‘El Gato’ approached the Argentina international.
He appeared to be asking for the striker’s shirt to join the Messi-mania, but it turned out he was actually requesting an autograph for a relative with special needs.
Despite the heartfelt request, Ortiz’s actions did not comply with CONCACAF’s code of conduct for officials.
“Upon investigation, CONCACAF has learned that the referee approached the player to request an autograph for a family member with special needs,” the North American football governing body said in a statement to ESPN.
Although the exact nature of the disciplinary action was not disclosed, CONCACAF added that Ortiz accepted full responsibility for his actions and apologised for his breach of protocol.
The first leg of the premier continental tournament for clubs from North America, Central America and the Caribbean was initially postponed due to a winter storm warning in the area.
Inter Miami will host Sporting in the return leg at Chase Stadium on Tuesday.
“The referee’s actions were not in accordance with the confederation’s code of conduct for match officials and the procedures in place for these types of requests.”
Reuters
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The world’s top athletes don’t just dominate on the field—they lead the way financially, too.
From football icons to basketball superstars, these elite performers are earning staggering sums through salaries, endorsements, and off-field ventures.
Using data from Sportico, sportsunlimitednews breaks down the top 10 highest-paid athletes globally.
10. Jon Rahm
On December 2023, Jon Rahm announced he was joining LIV Golf after a very successful stint at the PGA, earning 11 PGA Tour wins since joining in 2016. Now signed under LIV Golf, the Spaniard is considered one of the best-paid athletes in the world, accumulating $85.6 (€82.3/£68.55) million in winnings and $20 (€19.2/£16) million on endorsement deals
9. Kylian Mbappe
Following his massive transfer to Real Madrid in 2024, Kylian Mbappe is now ranked the 9th highest-paid athlete in the world. The French forward earns $85 (€81.6/£68.9) million in salary and $25 (€24/£20) million in endorsements, totalling $110 (€105/£88) million—a ‘galactico’ price tag for one of the best players in the world.
8. Karim Benzema
Another former Real Madrid star, Karim Benzema is ranked amongst the top ten best-paid athletes in the world following his move to Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia). The French striker earns $108 (€103/£86.4) million alongside $8 (€7.6/£6.4) million in endorsements.
7. Oleksandr Usyk
Up next, we have an undisputed heavyweight champion, who took down Tyson Fury for a second time in 2024. Oleksandr Usyk is arguably one of the best fighters in the world right now, and his earnings reflect that. The Ukrainian makes an average of $120 (€115/£96) million in winnings alongside $2 (€1.9/£1.6) million on endorsements, standing on $122 (€117/£97.7) million.
6. Neymar Jr.
Neymar Jr. is in the final stages of his professional football career. The former Barcelona and PSG man has enjoyed a successful stint across multiple teams around the world. Now in Santos FC, the Brazilian star is still considered one of the highest-paid players in the world, earning a $108 (€103/£82) million salary and $25 (€24/£20) million in endorsements.
5. LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers veteran and NBA star is ranked fifth in the world following his jaw-dropping $85 (€81.6/£68.3) million endorsement deals with Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Alongside his endorsements, he cashes in a salary of $48.2 (€46.3/£38.6) million a year.
4. Lionel Messi
The Inter Miami star has one of the most lucrative contracts in world football. The Argentinian forward earns $60 (€57.6/£48) million a year, alongside $75 (€72/£60) million on endorsement deals. He is linked to Louis Vuitton, Mastercard and Pepsi.
3. Tyson Fury
The ‘Gypsie King’ is ranked third in the world, despite his recent losses and retirement announcement in late 2024. Fury cashed in $140 (€134.4/£112) million in winnings alongside $7 (€6.7/£5.6) million in endorsement deals, a very fruitful 2024 for the former British heavyweight champ.
2. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry can still boast of having the highest-paying salary in the NBA for the eighth straight year. According to ESPN, his Golden State deal is worth around $55 (€52/£41.2) million this season. On top of that, the American point guard earns $100 (€95/£79.9) million in endorsements.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo still ranks at the top as the best-paid athlete in the world. The Al-Nassr star earns a jaw-dropping $215 (€206/£171.9) million salary, alongside $45 (€43.1/£35.9) in endorsements from Armani, Herbalife, TAG Heuer, and Clear Shampoo.
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