Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has won the Men's Ballon d'Or for an eighth time.
The 36-year-old was recognised at the ceremony in Paris after helping his country win the World Cup in Qatar last year.
England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham won the Kopa Trophy for the world's best player aged under 21.
Messi won his record-extending Ballon d'Or award ahead of Manchester City forward Erling Haaland.
France forward Kylian Mbappe - who became just the second man to score a World Cup final hat-trick in the 4-2 penalty shootout loss to Argentina - finished third.
"It's nice to be here once more to enjoy this moment," Messi said. "To be able to win the World Cup and achieve my dream."

Six moments have been shortlisted for this year’s International Fair Play Award, with fans invited to vote for their favourite moment.

Following nominations from fans, members of the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) and World Athletics formed a jury to decide on the shortlist of moments. Now fans can vote via World Athletics’ social media platforms for the moment that they feel best exemplifies fair play.

The best ever combined winners’ times for the 40th edition of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on Sunday marked a seamless continuation from the highest quality results for the elite runners in pre-Corona days. The achievements of the Kenyan Brimin Misoi with his time of 2:04:53 and Buzunesh Gudeta of Ethiopia running 2:19:27 when they crossed the finish line in Frankfurt’s Festhalle provided an aggregate time of 4:24:20, by a considerable margin the fastest in the history of Germany’s oldest city marathon. The next edition will be on October 27 next year.

It is with deep sorrow that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) learns of the death of IOC Honorary Member Niels Holst-Sørensen, who has passed away at the age of 100. His death marks the end of an era in the world of sports, and for the Danish sporting community.

The project aims to strengthen the skills of African rugby unions to develop women's rugby and promote social cohesion through rugby

PARIS, France, October 31, 2023/ -- On the final of the Rugby World Cup France 2023, the French Development Agency (AFD) (www.AFD.Fr) and Rugby Africa, with the support of the French Rugby Federation (FFR), are operationalizing their partnership through the implementation of an ambitious program to develop women's rugby in Africa.

The partnership between AFD and Rugby Africa, signed on July 10, 2022, reaches a new milestone with the signing of a €500,000 financing agreement for the implementation of a program aimed at strengthening the inclusive practice of rugby in Africa.

The new slogan in Ghana football is ‘Oly Blue Jeans’ after the Wonder Club secured a lucrative sponsorship deal worth $50,000 from Budget Cash & Carry, one of the oldest companies to produce energy drinks on the local market.
Nana Egyir Aggrey I, CEO of Budget Cash & Carry urged Olympics players to win the Premier League this season.

The recent transfer outlay from Saudi Pro League clubs has attracted attention from all corners of the football world. Unsurprisingly, the Saudi league now boasts of the most expensive assembly of footballing stars outside the big five leagues. According to the numbers presented by SafeBettingSites.com, Al-Hilal’s squad, which cost €382m in the market, is the most expensive football squad outside the big five leagues.

In a first for the sport, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 world feed match coverage which is supported by Disney Star, will see ICC TV produce an additional vertical video feed, that will revolutionize fans’ viewing experience of the biggest Cricket World Cup ever.
The ICC’s vertical feed will be a first-of-its-kind coverage for the sport across all 48 World Cup matches. The technological innovation will provide fans with an easier and more intuitive viewing experience on mobile phones that allows them to consume content on-the-go in the most convenient handheld position.

Ten iconic venues across India will play host to the 13th edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.From Dharamshala to Bangalore, thousands of fans will gather to watch the finest the global game has to offer.
A re-run of that unforgettable 2019 final opens the tournament as defending champions England take on New Zealand, runners up four years ago.
Here’s your guide to all ten venues you can expect to see throughout the tournament. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed Dallas, Florida and New York as the three USA venues identified to host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Grand Prairie in Dallas, Broward County in Florida and Nassau County in New York will be part of history as the event is staged in the USA for the first time.

The Global Black Impact Summit serves as a platform for engagement and connection while celebrating the next generation of sports stars

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, September 21, 2023/ -- In the world of sports, the Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS) (https://GlobalBlackImpact.com) – which is organized by Energy Capital & Power (https://EnergyCapitalPower.com) - stands out as a catalyst for positive transformation. Rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion, GBIS not only embraces these values but also celebrates the exceptional achievements of Black individuals in sports. With a focus on spotlighting talent, nurturing emerging stars, and creating pathways for networking and growth, GBIS is set to make a profound impact in the world of sports.

• Total of 159 international matches played in September
• Qatar 2022™ winners Argentina make perfect start to FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifying campaign
• Albania, Guinea-Bissau and Aruba make significant strides

Following their 1-0 triumph over Ecuador and a 3-0 away success against Bolivia in their opening CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifiers, Argentina (1st) tighten their grip at the summit of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. Second place France lose some ground on the Albiceleste after suffering a 2-1 friendly defeat at the hands of Germany.

• Preparations and planning continue apace for biggest sporting event in history
• Representatives from all key FIFA and FIFA26 operational areas to visit Host Cities and stadiums and to meet with local committees
• Stops scheduled for the 16 Host Cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States through until early November 2023

The FIFA and FIFA26 experts leading key operational areas – from transport and stadium operations to hospitality and pitch management – came together today, Wednesday, 20 September, in Miami to kick off a series of visits to each of the 16 FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host Cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States. These visits are part of the ongoing course of business in the planning and preparation of the biggest sporting event in history, which will see 48 teams compete across three countries for the biggest prize in world football.

SANTIAGO, CHILE  -- The Santiago 2023 Pan American Games are just 30 days away and the excitement for the 19th edition of the continent’s most important multisport event can be felt throughout the Americas. 

With the Games rapidly approaching, Panam Sports is proud to present the official promo for Santiago 2023 titled “Sport Lives in You”.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Coordination Commission for the 4th  Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026  met virtually today. It received updates on the continued progress that has been made in preparation for the YOG, with youth engagement and mobilisation among the key focus areas.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural Dakar en Jeux festival, which saw thousands of people participating in sports initiations and demonstrations, music concerts and cultural activities, the 2023 edition will take place from 31 October to 4 November. Featuring an even greater focus on promoting sport, the festival will see all 46 departments and 14 regions of Senegal represented, which is a key engagement initiative of the Organising Committee (YOGOC), aiming to promote the upcoming YOG while also encouraging local youth to get involved. It is expected that up to 30,000 spectators and 2,000 athletes will take part in the five-day festival.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and UN-Habitat have announced a new collaboration to promote physical activity in urban environments, underscoring the importance of sport for the sustainable development of cities and the wellbeing of their residents.

The collaboration builds on the reforms of the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020 and Olympic Agenda 2020+5, which focus on strengthening the role of sport for sustainable development. It also builds on the recognition in 2015 by the United Nations 2030 International Development Agenda of sport as an enabler for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda.

With two weeks  left until the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 kicks off, the event’s official anthem, 'Dil Jashn Bole' has been released. This anthem is the result of a fantastic collaboration, starring the internationally acclaimed superstar Ranveer Singh in the lead role with the sensational music created by Pritam, one of Bollywood's most coveted composers.
The anthem takes fans on an epic journey through India on board the One Day Express, witnessing a never seen before celebration ahead of the biggest Cricket World Cup ever. 

River Park Eastern Region's young cycling prodigy Farrakhan Shaaban Mohammed has secured the overall youngest best by Time Jersey in the Women & Youth category Road Race and individual Time Trial events at the just ended National Tour Du Ghana 2023.
The newly crowned young Derbywheel Pink Jersey holder maintained a steady grip in the Road Race to sprint ahead of his fellow compatriots, Reginald Hammond, Alfred Acquah, etc.

Lausanne, Switzerland - The South African city of Durban is to host the inaugural African Boxing Cup named after Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected President of South Africa and internationally revered for his unwavering devotion to democracy, equality, and learning. The event is scheduled to take place 9-14 October 2023 at the Durban International Convention Centre.
An exceptional prize fund of is at stake for boxers split between all 25 men’s and women’s weight categories.

With its commitment to fostering creativity, diversity, and excellence in filmmaking, the First Features Project is dedicated to elevating Nigerian cinema to global prominence

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, September 19, 2023/ -- Native Filmworks and Michelangelo Productions announce the resumption of their groundbreaking First Features project as the crew returns to set to shoot "Kill Boro."

The First Features project, spearheaded by Nollywood producing duo Steve Gukas and Dotun Olakunri, is focused on nurturing and empowering a new generation of visionary film directors. It provides training and funds the production of the first feature films by these exciting new voices in the Nigerian film industry.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has renewed its partnership with UN Women, underlining each organisation’s commitment to using sport to promote gender equality and to empower women and girls.

The new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed by IOC President Thomas Bach and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous during a meeting in New York, USA, extends a partnership that began in 2012 and was extended for the first time in 2017. It will see the two organisations continuing to work together to maximise the value of sport in shaping social norms and reaching sustainable development outcomes that impact women’s and girls’ lives daily. During the ceremony, the IOC President was accompanied by Mrs Laura Chinchilla, IOC Member in Costa Rica, Mrs Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, IOC Member in Croatia, and HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, IOC Member in Saudi Arabia.

​Al Ahly will compete in Group A alongside Brazil’s Sesi Franca (BCLA champion) and NBA G League Ignite (NBA G League) 
DAKAR, Senegal, September18, 2023/ -- 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) (www.BAL.NBA.com) champion Al Ahly (Egypt) will participate in the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup (ICC) at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore from Sept. 21-24, 2023.
 
Al Ahly will compete in Group A alongside Brazil’s Sesi Franca (BCLA champion) (https://apo-opa.info/3rqEf33) and NBA G League Ignite (NBA G League) (https://GLeague.NBA.com/).  Group B consists of China’s Zhejiang Golden Bulls (CBA) (https://www.CBALeague.com/), Bahrain’s Al Manama (WASL champion) (https://apo-opa.info/3EIShAf) and Germany’s Telekom Baskets Bonn (BCL champion) (https://www.ChampionsLeague.Basketball/). The three teams in each group will compete in round-robin play over the first three days of the tournament, with the top team in each group advancing to the finals on Sept. 24.  Prior to the finals, the remaining four teams will play in the classification games.  

World records from Gudaf Tsegay and Mondo Duplantis contributed to the Wanda Diamond League Final – held in Eugene on Saturday (16) and Sunday (17) – being the highest quality non-championship meeting in history based on competition performance ranking scores.

ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, and the International Basketball Federation today announced the 61 nations participating in the second season of eFIBA, FIBA's official NBA 2K24 tournament.

Beginning October 3, National Federations across seven regional areas will battle it out in the Pro-Am game mode to secure a spot in the first-ever in-person eFIBA World Finals at DreamHack Winter and a share of the €50,000 prize pool.

• The team successfully completes their first 24-hour race at Barcelona finishing third in the GT4 class despite some major setbacks
• The usual driver line-up of Adam Lacko, David Vršecký, and Aliyyah Koloc was joined last weekend by experienced racers Jaroslav Janiš and Jaromír Jiřík
• Buggyra ZM Racing finishes runner-up in the GT4 championship and sixth overall against much more powerful machinery and experienced drivers

In the world of racing, there is no bigger test than a round-the-clock endurance classic – and Buggyra ZM Racing rose to the occasion at the 24 Hours of Barcelona last weekend, part of the 24H Series. 


At the wheel of the Buggyra ZM Racing Mercedes AMG-GT4 were as usual Adam Lacko, David Vršecký, and Aliyyah Koloc; joined last weekend by experienced racers Jaroslav Janiš and Jaromír Jiřík to complete the line-up.