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Kylian Mbappe’s new move underlines shoemaker On’s ambitions to expand beyond running and tennis into football. French soccer star Kylian Mbappe has ended a two-decade relationship with Nike to join fast-growing Swiss sportswear brand On, giving the Roger Federer-backed company a marquee name for its push into football and handing the US giant another high-profile defection to a rising rival.The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, though On said that the structure includes both cash and equity components, without providing further details.The move underlines On’s ambitions to expand beyond running and tennis into football, where it plans to launch its first boots in 2027 and has brought in former France star Thierry Henry as director of football.It adds to pressure on Nike, which has recently lost other high-profile players to rivals as newer brands make inroads into the global sportswear market.Mbappé’s move to On ends a relationship between the French national team captain and Nike that dates back to 2006 when he was 9 years old, and comes on the heels of Nike’s loss of recent World Cup winner Spain’s Lamine Yamal to Adidas. ‘WE WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS'”We are proud of what we achieved together on and off the pitch. As he moves into the next phase of his career, we wish him continued success for what comes next,” Nike said in a statement.His exit comes despite Nike’s foothold in France, where the company has secured an extension to the French national team’s long-running kit-supply agreement until 2033-34.On’s US-listed shares briefly gained as much as 5% in premarket trading before turning flat, while Nike shares were little changed, indicating the news had limited impact on investors.On is looking for growth in the Americas, which account for more than half of its revenue. The company has focused on full-price sales, but has struggled in the region this year amid choppy economic spending. NIKE HAD LEANED ON MBAPPENike had increasingly leaned on Mbappé as one of the sport’s leading global ambassadors, as soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo enters the latter stage of his career.The 2018 World Cup winner was a centerpiece of Nike’s football marketing at this year’s FIFA World Cup, most recently receiving signature editions of its Mercurial boots.”Once again it (football) has led me to one of the biggest changes in my life. Now, I find myself surrounded by innovators who dream of the same things I do,” Mbappé said on his social media accounts. Related…
The Asian Games in Japan were on Friday facing more accusations of poor organisation with a world champion gymnast “totally exhausted”, the public drafted in to rescue stranded athletes and South Korea lodging a complaint about a Japanese warlord.The continent’s premier sporting spectacle opens in Nagoya and Aichi prefecture on Saturday, but the build-up has been soured by several issues.That includes a shortage of rooms for the more than 17,000 athletes and officials — a bigger number than the Olympics.Some teams have also criticised the quality of the accommodation, including beds that are too short.To save money there is no athletes’ village, organisers instead putting competitors in hotels, temporary cabins and on a cruise ship.Organisers say the accommodation is safe, cost-effective and comfortable.Chinese gymnast Zhang Boheng, who won two silver medals at the Paris Olympics and has two world championship titles to his name, said he and some of his team-mates were left waiting for six hours after landing on Wednesday. ‘I’M TOTALLY EXHAUSTED'”I’m totally exhausted,” he said in a video published Thursday and shared widely on Chinese social media.”I didn’t expect that after breakfast at 7:00 am the next time I could eat would be close to 7:00 pm,” the 26-year-old said.He said the wait was caused by registration and paperwork, before heading to the cruise ship where 4,000 Games participants will be housed in Nagoya’s port area.But when they arrived at the ship, he said heavy rain prevented them from boarding.”A whole day was basically wasted like this,” added Zhang.”In the end we really couldn’t take it any more so we decided to book rooms at a hotel to rest.”The video has since been taken down but Chinese state media said that other Chinese athletes also faced travel delays upon arrival.Beijing’s consulate in Nagoya contacted Chinese citizens in the area to give the badminton team lifts after issues with a shuttle bus and a shortage of public transport tickets, Xinhua reported.Chinese social media users applauded athletes, including table tennis star Sun Yingsha, for stretching and exercising at the airport. HASHTGAG ‘ASIAN GAMES ABSURD’The hashtag “Asian Games absurd” has since been viewed more than 94 million times on Weibo.India’s team had similar delays at the airport.”There was an issue in getting accreditation for athletes at the airport during immigration. There were long queues with a lot of other nations there,” India’s chef de mission and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) treasurer Sahdev Yadav told AFP.”But these things happen and we have got everything sorted.He added: “These are all teething problems and our focus is now on performance.” WARLORD CONTROVERSYSouth Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that some of the country’s athletes waited at the airport for more than five hours on Thursday.”We are aware of the situation including reports that athletes have had to wait for hours and we are doing our best to handle it,” a Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) official told AFP.Also on Friday, the KSOC said it had filed a complaint with Games organisers for featuring a Japanese warlord at a welcoming ceremony.The event on Tuesday included a person dressed as Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who led Japan’s invasions of Korea in 1592-1598, and the ceremony prompted a backlash in South Korea.Historical issues are sensitive between South Korea and Japan, with Hideyoshi’s invasion a significant episode in Korean history and Korea under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945.There was no immediate response from the Olympic Council of Asia or the local organising committee. Related Story Source link
New Zealand batter Mark Chapman has moved to a casual contract for the 2026-27 season, the country's cricket board (NZC) said on Tuesday, allowing him to play in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) while remaining available for international selection.The 32-year-old has made 129 white-ball appearances for New Zealand and will feature in next month's limited-overs series against India before heading to Australia under a BBL deal that has yet to be announced.He joins Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Tim Seifert among players who have opted for the casual contract system, which allows them to play in high-paying Twenty20 leagues while remaining available for national duty.’The upcoming India series is one all us players are really excited for, and I'm committed wholeheartedly to performing in that series,’ Chapman said, thanking NZC for their support.His move off the central contract list has opened the door for fast bowler Matt Fisher, who has been awarded a full contract for the first time. Source link
The Saudi Civil Defence announced on Wednesday that the danger has passed in the Khamis Mushait area, located in southern Saudi Arabia, after an early warning was issued earlier today.In a statement posted on X platform, the Saudi Civil Defence urged citizens to follow instructions and to completely avoid gathering in groups and taking photographs in order to ensure their safety. Source link
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after defeating Linda Noskova of Czechia during the US Open quarter-final in New York. (AFP)…
Rwanda has celebrated the 21st edition of Kwita Izina, its annual gorilla naming ceremony, with 22 baby mountain gorillas receiving names at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park.Held under the theme “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future,” the ceremony brought together local communities, conservationists, government officials, partners and international guests to celebrate Rwanda’s mountain gorillas and the country’s decades-long conservation efforts.The event was attended by Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Justin Nsengiyumva, as Guest of Honour, alongside former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and former Tanzanian Prime Minister Peter Pinda Mizengo.Distinguished Namers from the worlds of conservation, tourism, business, sport, entertainment, philanthropy and public service bestowed names on the newborn gorillas, highlighting the shared responsibility of protecting the species and its habitat.Speaking at the ceremony, Nsengiyumva recalled that only about 250 mountain gorillas remained in the Virunga Massif in the early 1980s. Today, more than 1,000 mountain gorillas live in the wild, including more than 600 in the Virunga Massif.“This remarkable recovery did not happen by chance,” he said, attributing the progress to the persistence of rangers, the expertise of veterinarians and researchers, strong conservation policies, responsible tourism and collaboration among multiple stakeholders.“Protecting nature cannot be separated from improving people’s lives, just as national conservation efforts cannot be separated from international cooperation,” he added.Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board, said the mountain gorilla represented what sustained commitment, strong institutions, community participation and international partnerships could achieve.“This is an extraordinary conservation achievement, but it is also a reminder that our work must continue,” he said.Maurice Mugabowagahunde, Governor of Rwanda’s Northern Province, said Kwita Izina provides an opportunity to recognise the value of the country’s natural heritage, encourage communities to protect biodiversity and highlight the role of Volcanoes National Park in the development of local communities and Rwanda as a whole. 22 gorillas receive namesThe 22 newborn gorillas were given names reflecting values ranging from determination and courage to leadership, unity and commitment.Among them, H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais named a female gorilla Ishakwe, meaning “determination”, from the Muhoza family. Dominic Barton named a male from the Izuba family Mukondo, meaning “starting point” or “source”, while Paul Danforth named a male from the historic Susa family Shikama, meaning “stand strong”.Miguel Ángel Gil Marín named a male from the Pablo family Inkera, meaning “traditional celebration”, while Eng. Sadek Elsewedy and Anita Dravec named a male from the Hirwa family Rugamba, meaning “fighter”.Other names included Mucyo (“light”), named by Olivier and Quitterie Granet; Ngabonzima (“protector”), named by Garreth and Nicola Wood; and Ndongozi (“leader”), named by Aston Villa legend James Chester.Susan Hollern named a female Kambere, while Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo named a baby from the Humura family Bukaka, meaning “majesty, strength and power”.Francesco Calvo named a male from the Kwitonda family Ngoga, meaning “brave” or “courageous”, while David Lappartient named a male from the Kwisanga family Muhuza, meaning “one who connects” or “brings together”.The remaining names were Komezutsinde (“keep winning”), Mpinga (“on the top”), Tarama (“to socialise/come together”), Impeta (“award/symbol of recognition”), Igeno (“destiny”), Ruhembe (“at the forefront”), Ndahiro (“commitment”), Ntwarane (“united in pursuit of a common goal”), Muganura (“harvest/thanksgiving”) and Nkwakuzi (“brave persons”).Among the Namers were Olympic high-jump champion Mutaz Essa Barshim, former French international footballers Mamadou Sakho and Patrice Evra, filmmaker Alastair Fothergill, Rwandan gospel singer Israel Mbonyi, Miss Belgium 2024 Kenza Johanna Ameloot and Nyungwe National Park ranger Jeannette Uwimbabazi.With this year’s additions, the number of mountain gorillas named through Kwita Izina since the event became an official annual ceremony in 2005 has reached 460. Music, dance and cultureIn addition to the naming of the gorillas, Kwita Izina 2026 was marked by a celebration of Rwandan culture. Musicians, dance groups and folkloric performers were part of the programme in Kinigi.Drums, traditional dances, distinctive clothing and choreographed performances gave the ceremony the character of a grand popular celebration, bringing together the protection of nature with Rwanda’s traditions and cultural identity.Among the artists involved in the event was Rwandan singer Israel Mbonyi, a leading name in East African gospel music and one of the guests selected to participate in the naming of the gorillas.The 2026 edition brought together guests from different countries and fields of expertise, including representatives from sports, culture, tourism, business and environmental conservation. Conservation and communitiesMore than 1,060 mountain gorillas now live in the wild across the Virunga Massif and Bwindi ecosystem. Mountain gorillas are the only great ape whose wild population continues to increase, following decades of cooperation among governments, conservation organisations, researchers, veterinarians, rangers and local communities.Kwita Izina also highlights the link between conservation, tourism and community development.Under Rwanda’s Tourism Revenue Sharing Programme, 10% of national park tourism revenues is reinvested in communities surrounding protected areas. More than RWF 23 billion has so far supported nearly 1,300 community projects, including schools, health centres, water infrastructure and livelihood initiatives.This year’s celebrations also included the groundbreaking of the Smart Green Village in Kinigi, part of the wider Volcanoes Community Resilience Project.As part of its long-term conservation vision, Rwanda plans to expand Volcanoes National Park by approximately 3,740 hectares and establish around 6,620 hectares of buffer zones. The broader programme is expected to improve livelihoods for more than 17,000 people.Kwita Izina, which means “to give a name” in Kinyarwanda, draws on Rwanda’s centuries-old tradition of naming newborn children in the presence of family and community.Since becoming an official annual event in 2005, the ceremony has evolved into an international platform celebrating Rwanda’s conservation achievements while recognising the contribution of communities and partners to protecting mountain gorillas and their habitat. Related Story Source link
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