Sports
2021 Tokyo Olympics to Gulp $15.9bn
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Tokyo Olympics, which was initially scheduled to hold this year but was postponed to 2021 because of coronavirus, will cost at least 1.64 trillion yen ($15.9 billion).
The amount was unveiled at a final budget conference on Tuesday, with the organisers saying that the amount was increased due to the pandemic induced measures.
The extra costs, up 294 billion yen ($2.8 billion) from figures released a year ago, come as officials work to build enthusiasm as some participants are already losing interest because of COVID-19.
According to reports, a poll last week showed that majority of Japanese oppose holding the Tokyo Games next year, favouring a further delay or outright cancellation of the massive event, and the latest budget could make the Tokyo Games the most expensive Summer Olympics in history.
Organisers, who have ruled out another delay and insist the games can be held next year, defended the increased costs.
Speaking on this, the Chief Executive Officer of Tokyo 2020, Mr Toshiro Muto, stated that, “Whether you see this budget as expensive or not depends on how you look at it.
“You can look at it from a cost perspective or an investment perspective. If you look at it purely in terms of cost, it doesn’t make sense. But if you look at it as a positive investment, I think there are areas where it can be identified as such.”
Organisers have tried to scale back elements of the games in a bid to save money, putting in place measures like scrapping athlete welcome ceremonies among others.
But these savings — along with an expected 76 billion yen ($735 million) in extra revenue from sponsors and insurance payments — have been outweighed by extra costs.
It was noted that these came from rebooking venues and transport to retaining the huge organising committee staff.
Organisers increased the service budget of the games to 731 billion yen ($7.1 billion), with extra money allotted for the opening and closing ceremonies, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has agreed to cover the costs of moving the marathon and race-walking to northern Sapporo to beat Tokyo’s summer heat.
A 96 billion yen ($929 million) budget will cover virus countermeasures, including the creation of an infection control centre in the Olympic Village — part of a blueprint announced earlier this month along with plans to regularly test athletes and ban cheering in venues.
The Tokyo Games could become the most expensive Summer Olympics ever after the 2012 London Games, which is the most costly to date, with a $14.96 billion price tag, the most expensive of the games was $21.89 billion, which was spent on the Sochi Winter Games in 2014.
Speaking further, Mr Muto said, “We are trying to hold a global event during a pandemic, and if we are able to do that, it would mean that we can co-exist with COVID-19.
“We would be able to provide a model for living with the virus, and I think in that sense this event can be a meaningful one.”
Tokyo’s governor, Ms Yuriko Koike told AFP last week she can see no circumstances under which the games will be cancelled, despite rising infections in Japan.
Changing the game responsibly
In a world where betting has become part of the daily entertainment for millions of people, the question is increasingly relevant:how to play and not lose yourself?
The answer is provided by 1xBalance — an initiative of the 1xBet brand, which actively develops in over 20 African countries. It is not just a promo campaign. It is a culture of responsible gaming that prioritizes players, their choices, and their safety.
1xBalance was created to change the approach to the game. The educational project reminds us that playing is about balance, a responsible attitude, and pleasure.
This initiative focuses not on rules but on people. Through live communication, stories, memes, guides, and live broadcasts, the 1xBet brand helps players monitor not only their bets but also their emotional state, budget, and limits.
A project that focuses on the player
The 1xBalance from 1xBet emphasizes an open conversation with the community, built on three simple values:
- A player has the right to know their limits
- Betting is about the experience, not the profit
- A brand must be responsible to its users
1xBalance is an honest initiative that neither imposes nor teaches. It encourages dialogue, helps to think, and provides simple, understandable tools.
What is important here is not the game itself, but how, when, and why you play.
Numbers with real people behind them
In March-April 2025, 1xBet – 1xBalance demonstrated large-scale engagement:
- 10+ million social media reach
- +300-500 new subscribers in each active region
- 4,000+ participants in contests and challenges
- 201 promo codes drawn among active followers
- Thousands of reactions, comments, saves, stories, and direct messages
These results are not just numbers. They confirm that the audience listens, responds, asks
questions, and engages in critical socio-educational initiatives.
The 1xBet brand calls on everyone interested in the topic:
- Join future activities
- Share your thoughts
- Learn about responsible gaming with 1xBet
Prizes that motivate — not to play more, but to think better
A special feature of the initiative was a new attitude towards the promo activities.
Participants from different countries received promo codes, gadgets (phones, headphones, power banks), branded merchandise, and accessories, not for the sake of involvement in the game, but as gratitude for maintaining the dialogue.
The contests were always simple: “express your opinion”, “reply in stories”, “share your experience”, “be an active participant”.
N No pressure. No complicated rules. Just an honest invitation — to think and share.
When players talk, it’s worth listening
One of the project’s strongest aspects is the feedback. Under each post, story, or broadcast, you will find numerous comments:
- “How to control yourself after a loss?”
- “What to do when you want to win back?”
- “How to play for yourself, not for profit?”
And it was the players who formulated the most precise rules:
“Don’t play back.”
“Play within your budget.”
“A bet is not an income. It’s a moment of emotion, and it should be safe.”
Social responsibility is not words, but actions. What’s next?
1xBalance is part of 1xBet’s broader social policy. Where there is 1xBalance, there is support, not pressure. Respect, not imposition. Dialogue, not monologue.
The project continues to develop. In the coming months, we expect:
- Expanding the range of local collaborations
- Continuing activities in the betting shops: interactives, brochures, posters, and booths
1xBalance is not about how much you play. It’s about how you play.
It is an initiative that proves that responsibility can be simple, understandable, and accessible to everyone.
The 1xBet brand is cultivating a community of conscious players who embrace control, self-respect, and healthy play as the new standard.
Join today:
Subscribe to the official 1xBet pages on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/1xbet_nigeria_official
https://www.facebook.com/1xbet.nigeria.official/
https://twitter.com/1xbetngofficial
Become a part of the #1xBalance activities
Your game is your choice. Your responsibility is your power!
By Adedapo Adesanya
The club championship tournaments in Europe, facilitated by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), start wrapping up this season from midweek. Throughout the next two weeks, there will be four finals across all tournaments – the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and Women’s Champions League.
UEFA has since released the official list of referees who will officiate these games, starting with the Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United, to be played at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, on Wednesday, May 21. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. Nigerian time.
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Assistants: Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz (both Germany)
Fourth Official: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
Reserve AR: Daniele Bindoni (Italy)
VAR: Bastian Dankert (Germany)
Assistant VAR: Benjamin Brand (Germany)
VAR Support: Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain).
This will be followed by the Women’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Barcelona, to be played at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday, May 24. The game will kick off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time.
Referee: Ivana Martinčić (Croatia)
Assistants: Sanja Rođak-Karšić & Maja Petravić (Croatia)
Fourth Official: Ivana Projkovska (North Macedonia)
Reserve AR: Staša Špur (Slovenia)
VAR: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins (Portugal)
Assistant VAR: Momčilo Marković (Serbia)
VAR Support: Alen Borošak (Slovenia).
The Conference League final between Real Betis and Chelsea, will be played at Stadion Wrocław in Wrocław, Poland on Wednesday, May 28. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. Nigerian time.
Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Assistants: Senad Ibrišimbegović and Davor Beljo (both Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Fourth Official: Halil Umut Meler (Türkiye)
Reserve AR: Kerem Ersoy (Türkiye)
VAR: Jérôme Brisard (France)
Assistant VAR: Willy Delajod (France)
VAR Support: Marco di Bello (Italy).
The biggest showpiece of the season will be the 2025 UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan, to be played at the Munich Football Arena, Germany, on Saturday, May 31. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. Nigerian time.
Referee: István Kovács (Romania)
Assistants: Mihai Marica and Ferencz Tunyogi (both from Romania)
Fourth Official: Joao Pedro Silva Pinheiro (Portugal)
Reserve AR: Bruno Miguel Alves Jesus (Portugal)
VAR: Dennis Johan Higler (Netherlands)
Assistant VAR: Catalin Sorin Popa (Romania)
VAR Support: Paulus van Boekel (Netherlands).
For those who want to make the most of their bets, the Surebet247 app has become an indispensable assistant. It provides access to the unique features of arbitrage betting directly from your mobile device. The developers have relied on convenience — you can download the application in just a couple of minutes without unnecessary difficulties.
How to Download the Surebet247 App on Android?
Users don’t have to figure out the installation process for a long time – everything is as simple and understandable as possible, even for beginners.
- The owner of the phone needs to open any browser and go to the official website of the bookmaker;
- On the main page, click on the “Mobile application” link;
- After clicking on the download button, the APK file will automatically download;
- When the file is downloaded, the user needs to open it and allow installation from unknown sources;
- The system will guide you through all the installation steps by itself – you just have to follow the prompts.
The Surebet247 App in iOS
Unfortunately, there is no official Surebet247 app in the App Store yet. Some sites may offer questionable download options, but experienced players strongly recommend taking no chances. It is much safer to use the mobile version of the site. It is optimized for iOS and works as well as the app.
Casino in the Surebet247 App
The Surebet247 app strives to offer users in its casino a wide range of entertainment options, but also fair play, supported by reliable providers and modern technologies.
- Video slots. The slots section occupies a central place in the game library. There are both classic one-armed bandits and modern video slots with vivid graphics, interesting bonuses and the possibility of getting a big win;
- Table games. In this section you will find classic table games such as poker, baccarat or roulette;
- Live casino. For those who are looking for more interactivity, SureBet247 offers live games where you can interact with real dealers.
Sports in Surebet247
One of the main advantages is the huge number of sports that you can bet on. No matter what attracts you more — the dynamics of a football match, the strategy of basketball, or the tension of a tennis final — everything is presented here. It is important to note that Surebet247 supports both classic and exotic sports, making every game interesting and exciting. Let’s take a closer look at some of them:
- Football. This is one of the most popular sections, especially among Nigerian fans. Here you will find bets on the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), as well as major European championships such as the English Premier League (EPL), La Liga (Spain), Bundesliga (Germany) and others. The odds are updated live, and the ability to place express bets significantly increases the winning potential;
- Basketball. If you like speed games and team fighting, then you will find everything you need in this section. You can follow the NBA (National Basketball Association) matches and participate in bets on the winner, the exact score, totals and even the results of individual players. There are also tournaments of the African Basketball League, where Nigerian athletes often become leaders. Thanks to the user-friendly interface and the quick response of the system, you will always be aware of all changes and will be able to make decisions at the right moment;
- Tennis. For fans of singles and doubles matches, the app has a complete list of tournaments, including Grand Slam (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open) and other international events. Tennis matches have high odds, especially if you place bets in live mode. The developers have taken care to provide users with full access to information about the players, their previous results and current status, which allows them to more accurately assess their chances;
- Cricket. This discipline is very popular in Nigeria, and SureBet247 has not ignored it. Here you can bet on international matches and participate in T20 format events, where the intrigue of each meeting reaches its peak. New tournaments are added regularly, and the coefficient system works quickly and fairly, ensuring equal conditions for every player;
- Athletics. For those who prefer competitions without a ball, bets on running, jumping, throwing and other athletics disciplines are available in the application. It is especially interesting to watch how Nigerian athletes demonstrate their achievements on the international stage.
Conclusions
The Surebet247 app offers convenient access to profitable odds and casino games. Its main advantage is the ability to save users time by allowing them to place bets anywhere and at any time. The developers have managed to create a truly smart service that works for results.
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN