The global football community is in mourning following the devastating news of the sudden death of Charlton Athletic academy player Ethan Ade-Oduwale, a 10-year-old starlet of Nigerian parentage.

Charlton Athletic confirmed the heartbreaking development in an emotional statement on Tuesday, describing Ethan as a “cherished” and “shining example” within their Under-10s academy team.

“We are devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Ethan Ade-Oduwale, a cherished member of our academy’s U10s team. Rest in peace, Ethan,” the Championship club posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

Further tributes poured in from the club’s website, painting a moving portrait of a boy who embodied the spirit of the game with his joy, commitment, and team spirit.

“Ethan’s smile, energy and enthusiasm for football will always be remembered by his teammates and the staff within the academy. From the moment he stepped onto a football pitch at Sparrows Lane, his desire to succeed spread across every session… He will be sorely missed by all,” the club wrote.

Charlton’s Academy Manager, Tom Pell, expressed deep sorrow over the young talent’s passing, sending condolences to Ethan’s parents, Adeola and Esther, and the wider family.

“Everyone within Charlton Athletic’s academy is absolutely devastated. Ethan’s beaming smile will never be forgotten,” he said, adding that the academy would, in due course, announce further plans to honour his memory.

Charlton Chairman Gavin Carter also extended the club’s sympathies. “On behalf of everyone at Charlton Athletic, we are devastated by the heartbreaking news of Ethan’s passing. Our thoughts, heartfelt condolences, and full support are with Ethan’s parents and family,” he said.

A minute’s silence was scheduled to be observed before Charlton’s Boys’ Junior Section match against Co. Londonderry on Tuesday night as a mark of respect.

The sad news has sparked an outpouring of tributes from across English football. Former Premier League club Ipswich Town said, “The thoughts of everyone at Ipswich Town are with Ethan’s family and friends,” while League One sides Northampton Town and Port Vale also posted touching condolences.

As the football community comes to terms with the painful loss, the cause of Ethan’s death remains undisclosed.

Ethan Ade-Oduwale, remembered as a beacon of joy, passion, and promise, leaves behind an enduring legacy in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

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Former two-division world champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi, a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, has died at age 72.

His sister, Wanda King, said Qawi died on Friday after a five-year battle with dementia.

“He was a great father, a great Pop-Pop to his grandchildren,” King told BoxingScene. “He had a heart of gold, and he fought his dementia illness just like he was fighting in the ring.”

Qawi, who was born Dwight Braxton in Baltimore, was raised in Camden, N.J., and learned to box at Rahway State Prison while sentenced for armed robbery and turned professional after his release in 1978.

He won world titles at light heavyweight and cruiserweight, though he was small for those divisions at 5-foot-7. The powerfully-built Qawi — he legally changed his name after converting to Islam in 1982 — defeated 175-pound champion Matthew Saad Muhammad on a 10th-round stoppage for the WBC light heavyweight crown in December 1981. Qawi won the rematch in six rounds in August 1982.

Nicknamed “The Camden Buzzsaw,” Qawi lost to WBA champion Michael Spinks in a unification bout in March 1983 and moved up to cruiserweight, defeating champion Piet Crous in July 1985

Evander Holyfield took his belt in a 15-rounder by split decision in July 1986, regarded as one of the greatest cruiserweight fights of all time. Holyfield won the rematch in December 1987, and Qawi moved up to heavyweight, where he lost to George Foreman in March 1988.

Qawi fought his last bout in 1998 and retired at age 46, finishing with a record of 41-11-1 with 25 knockouts. The International Boxing Hall of Fame inducted him in 2004.

He trained boxers and was a youth advocate and drug and alcohol counsellor in New Jersey after his fighting days ended.

“He went out like a champ,” King told BoxingScene, “right to the end.

-Reuters

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Emir of Gusau, Dr. Ibrahim Bello, who passed away in the early hours of Friday at a private hospital in Abuja.

In separate condolence letters signed by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the federation extended its sympathies to the Governor of Zamfara State,Dauda Lawal Dare, its President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and the entire people of Zamfara State.

The NFF described the late Emir as “a bastion of preservation of the reassuring culture and enviable traditional values of the people of Zamfara State,” noting that he worked tirelessly for peace, development, and unity in the state and beyond.

“Certainly, we loved him. But Almighty Allah loves him much more,” the statement read. “We must take solace in the fact that the late Emir Ibrahim Bello left his very bold footprints in the sands of time, as a much-loved leader of his people and a dignified custodian of culture and tradition.”

The federation also acknowledged the personal loss suffered by its President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who is a traditional titleholder in the Gusau Emirate.

“As a traditional titleholder of the Gusau Emirate Council, we understand and appreciate that this is a solemn moment for you, even as you continue to discharge your responsibilities as the leader of Nigerian football and of West African Zone B Football,” the NFF added.

Dr. Ibrahim Bello is remembered as a revered monarch who played a pivotal role in fostering unity and cultural preservation in Zamfara State.

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