Iran’s conflict with the U.S. and Israel has led to sporting events being postponed in several countries, while competitions elsewhere have been hit by travel disruption, with thousands of flights cancelled in some of the ​world’s busiest transit hubs.

ATHLETES’ ARRIVALS AT PARALYMPIC GAMES DISRUPTED

The International Paralympic Committee said it is working to find solutions after several ‌athletes were finding it difficult to travel to the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympic Games due to travel disruptions in several Middle Eastern airports.

“The closure of airspace in the Middle East is impacting the arrival of some stakeholders… we are working diligently with Milano Cortina 2026 to find solutions for those affected,” the IPC said on Tuesday.

TENNIS IN UAE HALTED ​DUE TO SECURITY ALERT

The ATP Challenger event in Fujairah was cancelled due to safety concerns after a security alert abruptly halted play.

The ATP Tour ​later said a charter flight had been arranged , “fully funded by the ATP to assist with departures from the region at ⁠no cost to players”.

U.S. WITHDRAW FROM HOCKEY WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

The U.S. men’s hockey team withdrew from a hockey World Cup 2026 qualifier in ​Ismailia, Egypt, after an official advisory from the State Department urging all U.S. citizens to leave nations within or close to conflict zones.

The International ​Hockey Federation said the U.S. team had withdrawn with the body’s “full support” and the team departed Egypt earlier on Wednesday.

SOCCER MATCHES IN IRAN AND QATAR POSTPONED, SPAIN V ARGENTINA IN DOUBT

All sporting events in Iran have been cancelled until further notice, including the country’s top-flight Persian Gulf Pro League.

The Qatar Football Association indefinitely postponed all soccer matches in ​the country, putting in doubt a clash between Spain and Argentina set for Doha on March 27. The Bahraini FA also halted all domestic competitions.

ASIAN CHAMPIONS ​LEAGUE MATCHES POSTPONED

Round of 16 clashes featuring Middle Eastern clubs in the Asian Champions League Elite in the first two weeks of March have been postponed until further notice.

Next ‌week’s quarter-final ⁠clashes in the Asian Champions League Two and the Asian Challenge League, featuring clubs from the region, are also postponed, the continental soccer body (AFC) said on Wednesday.

TENNIS PLAYERS MEDVEDEV, RUBLEV STUCK IN DUBAI

Russian players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, who participated in the Dubai Tennis Championships last week, were among players facing travel difficulties in reaching California for the Indian Wells Open.

The ATP Tour said on Wednesday that the vast majority of players who were in Dubai ​had successfully departed on selected flights.

WEC ​POSTPONES SEASON OPENER IN QATAR

The World ⁠Endurance Championship postponed its season-opening race scheduled for March 28 at the Lusail circuit in Qatar, until later this year.

“A new date for the Qatar 1812km during the second half of the campaign will be finalised and communicated in ​due course,” the WEC said in a statement.

MIDDLE EASTERN F1 RACES HANG IN THE BALANCE

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who ​heads the global ⁠motorsport governing body FIA, said safety will be their main concern when taking a decision on next month’s Formula One races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

“Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA Formula One world championship,” he said ⁠on Monday.

SINDHU ​WITHDRAWS FROM BADMINTON’S ALL ENGLAND OPEN

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu withdrew from the All England Open ​after being stranded for days at Dubai airport. She returned to India on Tuesday.

“Back home in Bangalore and safe. The last few days have been intense and uncertain, but I’m truly ​grateful to be back at my house,” Sindhu wrote on X.

-Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Three Super Eagles players have made the shortlist for this year’s AF Awards holding in Marrakesh, Morocco in December.

Expectedly, Ademola Lookman is listed among those for the elite award, the African Footballer of the Year. He is joined by Super Eagles’ captain, William Troost-Ekong.  The revelation came from CAF through their X handle.

There are 10 players on the shortlist and in the next few days, that will be cut by half before the final three.

Listed in the elite category are Amine Gouiri of Algeria, Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso), Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire), Chancel Mbemba (Congo), Serhou Guiracy (Guinea), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Soufiane Rahimi (Morocco) and Rowen Williams (South Africa).

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is nominated for the Goalkeeper of the Year award.  He will contest the award with  Morocco’s Yassine Bounou (now in Saudi Arabia), Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, and Senegal’s Djigui Diarra and  Cameroon’s Andre Onana.

Nigerian Breweries Plc, a long-standing pillar of support for Nigerian football, has expressed immense pride and joy in the nation’s historic achievements at the 2023 CAF Awards.

 

The victories of Super Eagles’ forward, Victor Osimhen, and Super Falcons’ duo of Asisat Oshoala, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, were celebrated by the Head of Marketing Communications at Nigerian Breweries, Sandra Amachree who stated, “It is incredibly pleasing to see Nigerian football being celebrated in such a positive light.

 

This feat serves as a powerful inspiration and bodes well for the upcoming 2024 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments for both men and women in Cote D’Ivoire and Morocco, respectively.”

 

Sandra Amachree further highlighted the significance of these awards, emphasizing their potential to inspire further investment in Nigerian football by Nigerian Breweries.

 

“This success is a testament to the dedication and talent of our players, and it encourages us to continue investing in initiatives that raise the bar for football in Nigeria,” she added.

 

Osimhen ended Nigeria’s 24-year wait; winning the coveted ‘African Footballer of the Year’ award.

 

The Napoli striker follows in the footsteps of Nigerian legends like Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, and Victor Ikpeba

 

For Oshoala, she continued her reign as the queen of African football by securing a record-extending sixth CAF Player of the Year (Women) award.

 

While Nnadozie’s impressive performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup was duly acknowledged as she was awarded the Goalkeeper of the Year (Women) title.

 

The Super Falcons, consistently supported by Amstel Malta Ultra and Zagg Energy Drink with Malt, received their due recognition as they were crowned the Women’s National Team of the Year.

 

Nigerian Breweries, through some of its brands like 33 Export Lager, Star Lager, Life Continental Beer, Amstel Malta Ultra, and Zagg Energy Drink with Malt, has consistently demonstrated its unwavering support for Nigerian football since February 2018.

 

This commitment extends to both the men’s and women’s teams, as showcased by their continued backing of the Super Eagles and Super Falcons respectively.

 

Osimhen, a past recipient of the 33” Export Lager Man-of-the-Match Award, represents the ongoing commitment of 33 Export Lager and Life Continental Beer to the Super Eagles.

 

Similarly, the Super Falcons have enjoyed unparalleled support from Amstel Malta Ultra and Zagg Energy Drink with Malt, fostering a strong partnership between the brands and the women’s national team.