Sports Zone 18-07-2023

Enjoy the crew banter and discuss different stories around the world.

- The 2026 Commonwealth Games are in doubt after the Australian state of Victoria cancelled its plans to host due to budget blowouts.

- The federal government of Nigeria has initiated a National Identification Number (NIN) verification policy for athletes.

- Nigeria won a total of 13 medals at the just-concluded All Africa Para-Badminton Championship held in Kampala, Uganda.

- After two unsuccessful attempts, Team Nigeria men’s 4x100m relay squad will depart Lagos for Cotonou, Benin Republic, today in search of of a ticket to the Budapest 2023 World Championships.

- The head coach of Nigeria senior national female team, D’Tigress, Rena Wakama has called up 18 players ahead of the 2023 FIBA Afrobasket Women Championship held in Kigali, Rwanda.

Marketa Vondrousova has moved into the top 10 of the women's rankings for the first time after her stunning triumph at Wimbledon.

Head coach of Remo Stars, Daniel Ogumodede, has been fined N250, 000 by Naija Super 8 organisers for inappropriate conduct in the final match of the tournament on Sunday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

- Enyimba’s new chairman, Nwankwo Kanu, has dismissed reports that head coach Finidi George has been sacked.

- Australia's squad have criticised the gender disparity in World Cup prize money and the fact some nations do not have collective bargaining rights.

- FIFA have sent the Egyptian Football Association a letter in which they announced a transfer ban on Ismaily due to outstanding dues to the Tunisian player nour zamen zammouri.

- Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says £100m signing Declan Rice can be a "lighthouse" for the Gunners and the midfielder is "exactly what we needed".

- ARSENAL have placed a £50m price tag on the head of striker Folarin Balogun.

- HANNAH DINGLEY has failed to land the Forest Green Rovers job full-time.