The Three Lions of England have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Euro 2024 tournament after beating Slovakia 2-1 on Sunday night.

Slovakia got the lead in the 25th minute courtesy of Ivan Schranz’s low shot which was cancelled by English youngster, Jude Bellingham in stoppage time.

Captain Harry Kane got the winning goal with a header immediately after extra time.

Sports Writers Association Of Nigeria (SWAN), Ondo State chapter and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have organised a comprehensive sensitisation programme to combat drug abuse among athletes, fans and the public.

The event, held at the indoor Sports Hall of the Ondo State Sports Complex,Akure on Sunday, brought together athletes, coaches, and stakeholders from all sports

The sensitisation programme’s theme was: “Drug Abuse: Battling a Menace in Nigerian Sports”.

The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, who declared the programme open, commended the organisers for putting together the event at the right time when the world was preparing for the 2024 Olympics.

Represented  by his Special Adviser, Mr Daodu Alex, Yusuf-Ogunleye said the state government was ready to partner with stakeholders and agencies to have a drug abuse free society.

“I admonish the convener of this event (SWAN) and its  partner to ensure they take this advocacy beyond this hall.

”Let us take it to schools so that we will be able to educate the upcoming athletes of the danger in taking performance enhancement drugs,”he said.

The Commander of NDLEA in the state, Mr Kayode Raji, emphasised the urgent need to address the escalating issue of drug abuse within the sports community.

“We are not here to deliver speeches; we are here to save lives.

“Abuse of drugs has destroyed many lives, and it is no longer a distant issue but one that is now prevalent among us.

“The consequences are limitless. Drug abuse is gradually infiltrating the sport community, and now is the time to step in and sensitise athletes about its dangers,” he said.

Raji said that NDLEA was committed to eradicating drug abuse and providing support for those affected.

“Preventive measures and support systems are in place, and we are dedicated to ensuring that athletes have the resources and knowledge to avoid the pitfalls of drug abuse,” he added.

An Olympian Lawrence Adegbehingbe,who was one of the speakers at the event, said that the pressure on athletes to win was immense, driving them to use substances to meet unrealistic performance expectations.

Adegbehingbe emphasized that sensitization on drugs should begin at home, with parents setting positive examples for their children, expressing  his gratitude to SWAN and the NDLEA for organising the event.

In his lecture,  a senior civil servant  in the state, Mr Bunmi Akinsemola, said doping was as old as sports itself,  adding that the essence of doping was to cheat.

“Even the ancient Olympics were not spared from the allegations of the use of herbal infusion before races, use of alcohol in modern Olympics was not uncommon,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome address, The state Chairman of SWAN, Mr Segun Giwa, highlighted the significant threats that  drug abuse could pose to the sports industry.

Giwa asked sports writers not to be complacent and that they should play an active role in raising awareness and educating athletes.

He called for stronger government support and the creation of a drug-free sports culture that would value hard work, dedication, and fair play.

“Let us all work together to create a drug-free sports culture in Nigeria. A culture that values hard work, dedication, and fair play.

”A culture that produces champions who inspire us with their talents , their character, and their integrity,” he said

In his remarks, the Patron of SWAN in the state and Chairman of the State Badminton Association,Chief Olu Ajabaku, congratulated both  NDLEA and SWAN for organising the advocacy programme.

Ajanaku, who likened sports to a ‘friendly war’, said,  “Sports is used to measure how healthy a nation is. The way we present ourselves as the youth of this nation goes a long way.” .

He referred to drug abuse as ‘narco-terrorism, stating that the enemies of the country were using it to decimate the population of the youths.

Ajanaku said as a traditional ruler, he affirmed his duty to support the NDLEA in the fight to rid society off narcotics.

Switzerland dumped reigning champions Italy out of Euro 2024 with a stunning 2-0 victory on Saturday to reach the quarter-finals for the second time in their history.

Murat Yakin’s supremely well-drilled side outplayed the flat two-time winners in the last 16 clash in Berlin and will face England or Slovakia in the next round.

Ruben Vargas teed up Remo Freuler for Switzerland’s 37th minute opener before curling home superbly himself right at the start of the second half to deservedly double their lead.

A new-look Italy, short on star power and without many of the key figures that led them to Euro 2020 glory, offered little in response to Switzerland’s energetic display.

“It hurts, it really hurts,” said Italy’s captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

“We can only say sorry to everyone, we were disappointing today and they deserved to win. We struggled all game long.”

Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, arriving at the Euros after a stunning season with German champions Bayer Leverkusen, pulled the strings as the Swiss rarely looked like letting the lead slip away.

“I’m at a loss for words, it was the most important game of my career,” said Swiss midfielder Fabian Rieder.

“Everyone played for each other, we worked well in defence and attack… we have an incredibly great team.

“We want to enjoy the moment now but keep working hard for the next game.”

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti dropped Jorginho after his worrying group stage performances, bringing in Nicolo Fagioli in defensive midfield among a hefty six changes which failed to bring the Azzurri to life.

Spalletti said the second goal had knocked the stuffing out of his side and their limitations had been exposed.

“Right now, for too many reasons, we are unable to do anything more than this,” he said.

Spalletti had called on his team to improve in the knock-out rounds after they scraped into the Last 16 with a last gasp equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Croatia.

However it was Switzerland who grew in confidence and pulled off their best display yet at the Olympiastadion in a sweltering Berlin, where a far more impressive Italy won the 2006 World Cup.

Former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, now Italy’s delegation head, has been regaling the squad with stories from that triumph but it did not inspire a convincing performance — apart from by his modern day counterpart, Donnarumma.

The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, key in Italy’s Euro 2020 conquest, made a fine save to thwart Breel Embolo midway through the first half as Switzerland created the first real chance by playing him through.