分类： sports

Jumeirah Golf Estates concluded its acclaimed 2025 Pairs series with a spectacular finale on the Earth Course, where 70 participants gathered for the December championship. The tournament, employing a Pairs Shambles format with composite tees for men and forward tees for ladies, successfully blended competitive spirit with social camaraderie, maintaining the event’s signature atmosphere of friendly rivalry throughout the season.

Alan McNamara and Steve Noon emerged victorious with an exceptional performance, carding a remarkable 11-under-par net 61 to secure a narrow one-shot victory. Their triumph was characterized by seamless teamwork and consistent play across all holes, ultimately proving decisive in a closely contested leaderboard.

Reflecting on their achievement, Noon commended both his partner’s performance and the impeccable course conditions: ‘Alan and I executed our game plan effectively today. The Earth Course presented itself in immaculate condition, consistent with the outstanding quality maintained throughout the year. Our appreciation extends to the Agronomy Team whose dedicated efforts consistently deliver premium playing surfaces.’

The competition witnessed strong challenges from other pairs, with Hash and Tara Kapadia finishing runners-up at 10-under-par net 62, demonstrating exceptional partnership chemistry. Pontus and Maximilian Fredriksson matched this score but placed third following a back-nine countback decision.

In the Gross Division, Nicholas Whiteford and 2025 Club Champion Tom Stephenson dominated with a superb six-under-par gross 66, the day’s best gross score. Special on-course accolades were awarded to Simon Bird for conquering the ‘Beat the Pro’ challenge on Hole 17, while Tom Neale achieved double recognition by winning both Nearest the Pin competitions on Holes 6 and 13.

Cameron McWhinnie, Assistant Golf Services Manager at Jumeirah Golf Estates, emphasized the tournament’s significance during the awards ceremony: ‘This series has perfectly encapsulated our club’s ethos—competitive golf played among friends who share a genuine passion for the sport. The spirit displayed throughout these monthly gatherings reflects everything we value in our golf community.’

The season’s final event concluded with a ceremonial buffet and presentation in the Ballroom, marking another successful chapter for one of the club’s most cherished competitive traditions. Jumeirah Golf Estates expressed gratitude to all participants for their ongoing support and anticipation for the series’ return in the new year.

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has been involved in a serious traffic accident while traveling in Nigeria, resulting in two fatalities. The incident occurred on the notoriously dangerous Lagos-Ibadan expressway near Lagos at approximately 12:00 local time on Monday.

According to Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the collision involved Joshua’s black Lexus SUV and a stationary commercial truck. Preliminary investigation indicates the Lexus was likely exceeding legal speed limits when it lost control during an overtaking maneuver, crashing into the parked vehicle. Photographic evidence from the scene depicts the 36-year-old boxer being assisted from the damaged vehicle amidst shattered glass debris.

Of the five adults involved in the accident, two tragically lost their lives while two others emerged unharmed. Joshua was transported to a medical facility with non-life-threatening injuries. The British-Nigerian boxer had been visiting his ancestral homeland of Ogun state following his recent victory over American social media personality Jake Paul in Miami on December 19th.

Local authorities, including Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo, have initiated a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The Lagos-Ibadan corridor is recognized as one of Nigeria’s most perilous roadways, particularly during the festive season when numerous diaspora Nigerians return home for celebrations.

Joshua, who serves as a sports ambassador for Ogun state, was en route to join family members in Sagamu for New Year festivities when the accident occurred. His relatives expressed profound shock at the news while extending prayers for both Joshua’s recovery and the families of the deceased victims. The boxer’s family maintains deep roots in the region, with plans underway to construct an indoor boxing facility named in his honor.

In the shadow of a devastating civil war that has claimed over 150,000 lives, Sudan’s national football team is scripting a story of resilience and hope. The narrative is powerfully embodied by striker John Mano, who carries the memory of his best friend, Medo, executed by militants while attempting to flee the conflict.

Mano recounts the traumatic incident with a chilling matter-of-factness that belies the pain in his eyes. His friend was shot more than twenty times after being stopped and accused of collaborating with the army, a moment witnessed helplessly by another childhood friend. This personal tragedy is a microcosm of the widespread suffering in Sudan, where a power struggle between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has triggered the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, displacing over 12 million people and causing widespread famine.

The domestic football league has collapsed, with iconic stadiums like Al Hilal’s ‘Blue Jewel’ in Omdurman lying in ruins. Major clubs Al Hilal and Al Merrikh have been forced into exile, currently competing in the Rwandan league. Despite these overwhelming challenges, the national team, the Falcons of Jediane, has achieved a remarkable feat: qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco for only the fourth time since 1976.

This success is a testament to the extraordinary leadership of Ghanaian coach Kwesi Appiah and the unifying spirit within the squad. Appiah has shouldered the immense task of managing a team playing without guarantees of payment and constantly grieving lost family members. He provides emotional support and time off for players to process their grief, fostering an environment where they feel they can be ‘the best in the world.’

For captain Bakhit Khamis, football is the only relief for the Sudanese people. He speaks of a powerful, unavoidable feeling of unity within the team, where the goal has become ‘Sudan first, Sudan above everything.’ This spirit was palpable when the team discovered that soldiers back home had momentarily laid down their arms to celebrate a qualifying victory over Ghana.

Many players, including Mano who now plays in Libya, have faced direct threats and cannot return home. They see football not just as a game, but as a weapon to fight for their country’s pride and a beacon of hope for millions who often cannot even watch or listen to their matches. Their promise is to battle on the pitch in Morocco, striving to bring a moment of joy to a nation in pain, aiming to ‘free our country the football way.’

The future of professional golf careers will be decided at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida, from January 8-11, 2026, as LIV Golf hosts its third annual Promotions event. This intense qualifying tournament represents one of the most competitive pathways in modern golf, offering just two full playing cards for the upcoming LIV Golf season alongside a $1.5 million prize purse.

The format demands exceptional consistency and resilience from the nearly 90 international participants representing 24 countries. The competition unfolds through four elimination rounds with progressive score resets. After the initial round, only the top 20 players and ties advance with their scores wiped clean. This process repeats in the second round, followed by a final cut before the fourth round determines the two qualifiers through cumulative scoring, with a playoff available if necessary.

Qualification pathways demonstrate LIV Golf’s global reach, incorporating top amateurs, leading performers from the Asian Tour’s International Rankings, winners from both DP World Tour and PGA Tour circuits, and players ranked within the top 150 of Data Golf rankings. The field features notable professionals including relegated LIV Golf players John Catlin, Andy Ogletree, Anthony Kim, Matt Jones, and 2023 UAE Challenge winner Max Rottluff of Germany.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil emphasized the event’s significance: “The evolution of LIV Golf Promotions reflects our continued commitment to creating truly open and competitive pathways for players from all over the world to compete at the sport’s highest levels.” With proven winners, experienced tour professionals, and emerging talents converging in Florida, this January showdown represents a critical inflection point where careers can be transformed overnight through exceptional performance under pressure.

The football transfer market is poised for a dramatic climax as Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo enters a critical 48-hour negotiation period. With his £65 million release clause set to expire on January 10th, the Ghana international is pushing for a resolution before the January transfer window officially opens on New Year’s Day.

Manchester City have emerged as the frontrunners in the pursuit, having established formal communication with Bournemouth and advanced discussions with the player’s representatives. The Premier League champions view the 25-year-old as a strategic addition to their attacking options, with negotiations expected to intensify in the coming days.

However, Liverpool remain active contenders despite not yet formalizing their interest. The recent injury to Alexander Isak has prompted the Merseyside club to consider Semenyo as a potential solution, with sporting director Richard Hughes leveraging his previous connections to Bournemouth from his tenure at Vitality Stadium.

Beyond the two primary suitors, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Chelsea have all registered inquiries about the prolific forward, who has netted nine Premier League goals this season. Semenyo’s preference is for a swift resolution that would allow him to focus on his career development rather than endure a prolonged transfer saga.

Complicating the timeline, Bournemouth management ideally want to retain Semenyo for their crucial January fixtures against Arsenal (January 3rd) and Tottenham (January 7th) before approving any departure. The player himself, who turns 26 on January 7th, is prioritizing a club that offers both competitive trophy prospects and suitable family considerations, viewing this move as a pivotal step in his professional prime.