
Sports
Qatar to allow beer sales at World Cup games 3 hours before kickoff – source

Qatar will permit ticketed fans to buy alcoholic beer at World Cup soccer matches starting three hours before kickoff and for one hour after the final whistle, but not during the match, a source with knowledge of plans for the tournament said.
Budweiser, a major World Cup sponsor with exclusive rights to sell beer at the tournament, will serve beer within the ticketed perimeter surrounding each stadium, but not in the stadium stands or concourse, the source said.
This year’s World Cup is the first to be held in a Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol, presenting unique challenges for organizers of an event sponsored by a major beer brand and often associated with beer-drinking fans.
“Beer will be available when gates open, which is three hours before kick-off. Whoever wants to have a beer will be able to. And then when they leave the stadium as well for one hour after the final whistle,” the source said.
Additionally, Budweiser will be permitted to serve beer in part of the main FIFA fan zone in central Doha from 6:30pm to 1:00am every day of the 29-day tournament, which kicks off on November 20, the source said.
At previous World Cup tournaments, beer was served in fan zones all day long.
The decision about where and when beer will be sold to fans is now finalized, but the price fans will be charged for a beer is still under discussion, the source said.
“We are working closely with FIFA, which is managing the relationship with the Qatari authorities, to ensure our activations for the tournament are executed respectfully and in compliance with local rules and regulations,” a spokesperson for Budweiser brewer AB InBev said in an emailed statement.
Qatar’s World Cup organizers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, did not respond to requests for comment about the World Cup controls on alcohol. Qatar’s government media office directed requests to the Supreme Committee.
There are four matches scheduled on most days of the tournament’s group stage, with the earliest match kicking off at 1 p.m.
It was not immediately clear how Qatar will handle beer sales ahead of the 1 p.m. Wales and Iran game on Friday November 25, when most Muslims in Qatar will be gathering at mosques for the weekly congregational prayer.
Qatar currently requires most shops and restaurants in the country to close during Friday prayers.
Questions have swirled around the role alcohol would play at this year’s World Cup since Qatar won hosting rights in 2010. While not a “dry” state like neighboring Saudi Arabia, consuming alcohol in public places is illegal in Qatar.
Visitors cannot bring alcohol into Qatar, even from airport duty free, and they cannot buy alcohol at the country’s only liquor store, on the outskirts of Doha. Only foreign residents with permits can shop there for home consumption.
Visitors can drink at a few dozen licensed hotels and clubs, where a pint of beer can cost $18.
Budweiser will sell its non-alcoholic beer, Budweiser Zero, in stadium concourses and stands during games and at other fan sites, the source said.
“We always respect the local customs and culture in the markets in which we operate or host events,” a spokesperson for AB InBev told Reuters in an emailed statement.
“Our promotion and activation of Budweiser Zero during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar will target the international guests coming to enjoy and celebrate football at the fan sites.”
Sports
FG, Enugu Sign Host State Agreement for 2026 National Sports Festival


The Federal Government and Enugu State Government have signed the host state agreement in respect of the 2026 National Sports Festival billed to hold in the South East State.
The agreement, which was signed by the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade for the FG and Governor Peter Mbah for Enugu State, on Tuesday, now awards Enugu State the full hosting rights for the 2026 edition of the National Sports Festival.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Government House, Enugu, Governor Peter Mbah thanked the Commission and other sports stakeholders for the confidence reposed in the state and his administration to stage the event, assuring that it would discharge its hosting responsibilities in a way that would leave a lifelong memory and experience on the athletes and all lovers of sports in Nigeria and beyond.
“We also appreciate the value and significance of this award. I want to commend the commission for finding Enugu worthy of being the next host of the 23rd National Sports Festival. We are going to discharge ourselves creditably.
“As you know, we like to be a role model as a state that gained preeminence over 115 years ago. We will not want to let our forebears down. We will live up to that standard.
“We have already set forth at dawn. Immediately that announcement was made, we mobilised our team. We are already working on revamping the Awgu Games Village and a whole lot. We have decided to deliver a brand new Games Village. We are also completely renovating the stadium to brand new.
“We are making sure that by the time you come here by the end of this year, you are going to be highly impressed. It is not revamping, rebranding or re-equipping, but we are also going to build additional facilities to the existing one. We are looking forward to having a word-class experience befitting the sports men and women, making our hosting a lifelong memory and experience,” he stated.

L-R: Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Enugu State, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu; Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah; and the Director-General, National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olapade, during the signing of the Host State Agreement for 2026 National Sports Festival between the Commission and Enugu State Government the Government House, Enugu, Tuesday.
Earlier in his address, Hon. Olopade said the commission was encouraged by Enugu’s bid, available facilities, improved security in the state, and Governor Mbah’s determination to turn around the sports and social infrastructure to grant Enugu the right to host the event after the 22nd edition to be hosted by Ogun State.
The National Sports Commission boss added that the hosting would boost investment and tourism in the state before, during, and after the event.
Sports
Ademola Lookman crowned 2024 CAF Player of the Year


Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman, has been named the CAF Footballer of the Year for the past year.
Lookman was announced as the winner at an elaborate event in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night.
The Atalanta star won the prize ahead of Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
It has been an incredible year for Lookman, who became the first player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League/UEFA Cup final since 1975, netting the three goals within 26 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen.
Lookman was included in the Team of the Year for the Europa League, and ended the season having had a direct hand in 18 top flight goals for La Dea.
The 27-year-old was ranked the 14th best player during the Ballon d’Or gala on October 28.
Sports
It’s Nigeria’s night of glory, Mbah Hails Lookman, Nnadozie, Super Falcons


Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has congratulated Ademola Lookman, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and the Super Falcons on their wins at the 2024 Confederation of African Football, CAF, Awards, describing the event as a night of glory for both Nigerian football and the nation in general.
“Congratulations to Ademola Lookman, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and the Super Falcons on their well deserved awards as Africa’s Male Footballer of the Year, Female Goalkeeper of the Year, and Female National Team of the Year, respectively, at the prestigious CAF Awards, 2924.
“It was indeed a night of glory for Nigeria. You shone like a million stars through a dint of hard work and patriotism in the year under review and we are super proud of you all.
“I hope these serve as your stepping stones unto higher ground in your individual footballing careers and for Nigerian football in general. Again, congratulations,” he stated.
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