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Injury Rules Rafael Nadal Out Of Australian Open

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Rafael Nadal will miss the Australian Open and instead return to Spain for treatment on a hip injury he sustained at the Brisbane International.

Nadal made his long-awaited return after almost a year out with injury this week, winning his first two matches in Brisbane in straight sets.

But he was injured in his quarter-final loss to Jordan Thompson on Friday.

Nadal said a scan had shown a micro tear on a muscle but not in the same area as his previous long-term injury.

The Spaniard, who had not played a singles match for 349 days prior to his opening win over Dominic Thiem, said the result was “good news” but he was “not ready to compete at the maximum level”.

He said in May, after being forced to miss the French Open for the first time in 19 years, that 2024 would “probably” be the final year of his career, meaning he may have already played his last Australian Open, a tournament he has won twice.

But while his latest injury felt in a similar place to that which led to “one of the toughest years” of his illustrious career, crucially it appears it is not as significant as he initially feared.

“I have worked very hard during the year for this comeback and as I always mentioned my goal is to be at my best level in three months,” 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal said on social media.

“Within the sad news for me for not being able to play in front of the amazing Melbourne crowds, this is not very bad news and we all remain positive with the evolution for the season.

“I really wanted to play in Australia and I have had the chance to play a few matches that made me very happy and positive.

The Australian Open starts in Melbourne on 14 January.

Nadal will now focus on returning to fitness in time for the French Open, which begins on 20 May and where he is a record 14-time champion.

His most recent appearance at a Grand Slam was the 2023 Australian Open, when he struggled with injury in a second-round loss to Mackenzie McDonald.

That was his final appearance on court before having an operation on his left hip in June and the former world number one has since slipped to 672nd in the rankings.

With Nadal’s withdrawal, this will be the first Australian Open since 1999 without either Nadal or Roger Federer, who retired in 2022, featuring in the men’s singles main draw.

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Nigeria Institute Of Building ,Lagos state Chapter Holds 34th Conference and Agm Next Week 

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Nigerian Institute of building (NIOB) Lagos State chapter on Tuesday held  a media briefing in readiness of the 34th Lagos builders conference and Annual General Meeting

This year’s edition with the theme, collaboration, corporation and inclusiveness for successful and sustainable building delivery captures the essence the profession stands for 

Chairman, Nigeria Institute of building, Lagos State chapter, Thomas Adeoye says the word collaboration cannot be over emphasized as there is need for all the professionals in the built industry to work in tandem to reduce building collapse to the barrest minimum

“We have to give the theme this year as the collaboration cooperation and sustainable in building the development and the reason for this theme is that we realize all stakeholders have to come together as one so that we can push the cause of professionals,because we always have buildings collapse,abandonment and sometimes due to known collaborations 

That is the reason why we decided to 

 call the professionals in the built industry to sit together and talk about how we can 

Push sustainability so that building delivery in the country is something everybody will look at and say we have tried ,that is why we choose that collaboration” He said

The conference and agm which will run from October 22nd to 23fd at the podium international event center Ikeja has lined up. Activities  that will be both educating  and engaging to the delight of attendees 

The day will feature panel discussions, syndicate sessions, product exhibitions, networking opportunities, awards and dinner night 

Over the years the builders conference has remained an open forum for learning, dialogue and advocacy

This year the focus on collaboration and inclusiveness is about ensuring that everyone from government agencies to artisans  plays their part in achieving safer smarter and more resilient buildings across Nigeria.

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Nigeria Tops Medal Table At Africa Para Badminton Championships 

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Team Nigeria dominated the medals table at the Africa Para Badminton Championships 2025, with 36 medals, including 10 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze as the competition concluded on Sunday.

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya came in second position with 11 medals, comprising four gold, two silver and five bronze medals at the tournament hosted at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia.

Egypt rounded off the top three with eight medals, including three gold, one silver and four bronze.

Republic of Benin came in fourth position with one gold, two silver and two bronze, whereas Congo Democratic got fifth with one gold and two bronze.

Tunisia occupied the sixth position with  one silver and one bronze, as  Cameroun got six bronze for the seventh position.

Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and Rwanda round off the top 10 with two bronze each as Mauritius  completed the medal table with one bronze.

Only Mozambique failed to win any medal among the 12 countries that participated in 19 events of the tournament that started on Oct. 7.

Meanwhile, African queen of para badminton,  Eniola Bolaji,  Chigozie Nnanna, Chukwuemeka Eze, Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, Mary Nathan, Chinyere Okoro, Munkwoba Gomanand Bello Tukur were among Nigeria’s gold medalists.

The trio of Bolaji, Nnanna and Nathan had won gold medals in their categories at the just-concluded First Abia Para Badminton International held between Sept. 30 and Oct. 5, at the same venue.

Also, Odinachi Uwalaka, Obinna Nwosu, Ifeanacho Ohaeri, Ebikoboere Brown, Abel David, James Akpan and Nendimwa Monday and others won silver for Nigeria on Sunday.

In a speech at the closing ceremony, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia extended warm congratulations and gratitude to all the athletes, officials and delegation that the event an extraordinary celebration of resilience and unity.

Otti, represented by Nwaobilor Ananaba, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, said that the experience has been a priceless classroom for Nigeria.

“We have learned, improved and been inspired.

“And let me assure you – Abia will bid to host again, and when we do, we will offer an experience that will far surpass this pioneering effort,” he said.

In a goodwill message, President Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih said that the para athletes had demonstrated that sport is a powerful expression of ability, resilience and human dignity.

He thanked the Badminton World Federation and Badminton Confederation of Africa for their guidance, presence and unrelenting commitment to the advancement of para badminton in Africa 

 Orbih also expressed profound gratitude to Abia State Government, saying  governor Alex otti has  not only provided a world-class environment for competition, but  also created a home for friendship and unity among others.

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Taiwo Awoniyi Returns To Full Training

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Nottingham Forest striker and Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi has returned to full training after recovering from a serious abdominal injury sustained in May.

The 27-year-old forward had been sidelined after suffering a ruptured intestine, which required a two-stage surgical procedure.

PUNCH Online reported in May that the first phase of the operation was conducted and followed by an induced coma to allow medical staff to closely monitor his condition.

The second stage of the surgery, which involved closing the wound, was successfully completed on the third day.

Following the challenging recovery period, Awoniyi has now rejoined his teammates in training for the first time since May.

A post from Soar Super Eagles on Tuesday via X announced his return, stating, “Taiwo Awoniyi returns to full training after that serious abdominal injury in May. Great to see him back on the grass

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