Arsenal has sealed the signing of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon for 55 million pounds, with a possible extra 8.5 million pounds in incentives. Gyokeres has agreed a five-year deal with the London-based club after passing his medical tests on Saturday and will now join up with his new teammates in Singapore. Arsenal has been busy in this summer's transfer market, with the arrival of players.

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FIFA inaugurated Saturday a regional office in Morocco as the kingdom ramps up preparations for the 2030 World Cup which it will host jointly with Spain and Portugal. Morocco will be the second African nation to host the World Cup in 2030, following South Africa's edition in 2010.  FIFA's other African offices are located in Senegal, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and South Africa.

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Myanmar’s national rowing team will participate in the Dragon Boat Championship at the upcoming World Games, which will be held in Chengdu, China, according to general secretary
U Thet Lwin of the Myanmar Rowing and Canoeing Federation. “We have already selected our athletes since April to represent Myanmar in the Dragon Boat Championship at the World Games in Chengdu, China. The Myanmar rowing team will compete in the 200-metre, 500-metre, and 2,000-metre events,” said U Thet Lwin.
A 16-member team has been assembled to represent Myanmar in the Dragon Boat events, comprising six male athletes, six female athletes, a team leader, a manager, and two coaches. The team is scheduled to depart for China on 6 August.
The World Games Dragon Boat Championship will be hosted in Chengdu from 6 to 10 August. Only countries that have performed well in qualifying tournaments are eligible to participate.
In addition to this international event, the Myanmar rowing team is also expected to compete in other global competitions in 2025, including the Canoe and Kayak Juniors Championship in Russia. In 2026, they are also set to compete in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand. — ASH/KZL

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Surfing enthusiasts have cheered the reopening of a beloved whitewater site in downtown Munich. After a safety review and a petition to keep it open, the site was reopened by authorities in recent weeks. Nearby, surfers performed tricks with virtuosity on the powerful wave, formed by the presence of rocks on the riverbed near a bridge.

The head of local surfers' association said there are between three and five thousand surfers actively practicing the sport here. And surfing is simply part of the Munich lifestyle. Not just for the surfers themselves, but also for the cityscape.

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The Myanmar rowing team, which competed in the 2025 Singapore Sprint Cup Canoe/Kayak competition, held in Singapore from July 12th to July 13th, returned to Yangon International Airport in the evening on July 15.

The team, comprising a total of 11 individuals including the team leader Dr. Kyaw Ye Htet from the Myanmar Rowing Federation, a team manager, coaches, and athletes, achieved remarkable success, securing 10 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 4 bronze medals.

The Myanmar rowing team was welcomed by various dignitaries upon their return included Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, along with members of the region Government, U Nyan Zaw Oo, Director-General of the Department of Sports and Physical Education under the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, and other officials from the Department, the Chairman and officials of the Sports Support Committee, officials and athletes from Myanmar Rowing Federation, trainees from the Institute of Sports and Physical Education (Yangon) and sports enthusiasts and officials.

In the 2025 Singapore Sprint Cup Canoe/Kayak competition, which saw participation from six countries including Myanmar, the Myanmar rowing team dominated the event, ultimately securing first place overall among the competing nations, it’s learnt.

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To elevate the standard of Myanmar football, foster its development, and nurture new generations of footballers, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, in collaboration with Region and State Governments and the Myanmar Football Federation, is jointly organizing the 2025 Region and State Under-18 Men's Football Tournament.

Group stage matches are being held in four zones across Bago Region, Ayeyarwady Region, Kayin State, and Shan State, from July 11 to July 18. At the Ground of Bago Sports Park in Bago Region, Mandalay Region team defeated Bago Region team by two goals to nil, at the Koe Thein Sports Ground in Pathein of Ayeyarwady Region, Union Territory Nay Pyi Taw team beat Ayeyarwady Region team by two to one, at the Zwekabin Sports Ground in Hpa-an, Kayin State, Kayin State team triumphed over Taninthryi Region team by three to nil.

Chief Ministers, government ministers, and officials from the respective Region and State Governments, along with officials from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs responsible for organizing the tournament, other departmental officials, and enthusiastic football fans, gathered in large numbers at the various sports grounds in their respective zones to watch and support the fiercely contested matches.

On July 15, the group stage matches for the men's football tournament will continue including Chin State team will play Kayah State team at Bago Sports Park in Bago Region, Rakhine State team will face Yangon Region team at Koe Thein Sports Ground in Pathein, Ayeyarwady Region, Mon State team will compete against Sagaing Region team at Zwekabin Sports Stadium in Hpa-an, Kayin State, Shan State team will go against Kachin State team at the State Sports Ground in Taunggyi, Shan State. Sports enthusiasts and the public are welcome to attend these matches free of charge.

It has also been announced that the knockout stages and final matches of the men's football tournament will be held in sport grounds in Yangon starting from July 21.

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Shan State beat Magway Region 1-0 in the group match of 2025 U-18 State and Region Men’s Football Tournament, held at Taunggyi Stadium on Sunday.

Khun Hein Thu Aung scored the only goal at the 24th minute. The tournament, organized by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs in collaboration with regional governments and the Myanmar Football Federation, aims to develop youth players nationwide.

Group-stage matches are being held in Shan and Kayin States and Bago, and Ayeyawady Regions from July 11–18. Knockout and final matches will be played in Yangon. Around 2,000 fans attended Sunday match, including Shan State Chief Minister U Aung Aung and officials. Upcoming matches on July 14 include Bago vs. Mandalay in Bago, Ayeyawady vs. Nay Pyi Taw in Pathein and Kayin vs. Tanintharyi in Hpa-an. Entry is free for all spectators.

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Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee and Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Jeng Phang Naw Taung, together with officials, on 5th July arrived at football ground in Dagon MyoThit (South) of Yangon.

He instructed officials to make well-preparation for organizing U-18 Football competition, ensuring the betterment of goalpost, net and substitute benches. The Union Minister later viewed the Taekwondo practicing, and encouraged the players.

At the Multipurpose Stadium in Dagon MyoThit (South), the Union Minister and party inspected the stadium and called on to keep cleaning and beautifying, with systematic maintenance of the buildings. The Union Minister then proceeded to Myanmar Paralympic Sports Federation where he met with athletes who are camping for 13th ASEAN Para Games.

During the meeting, the Union Minister instructed to strive for meeting the standards with unity and  to win medals for the nation. He also enjoyed the practicing of sitting-vollyball. The Union Minister then inspected the mess hall where officials reported current status and  purchasing of aids and prothestics.

On July 6th, the Union Minister visited the Padonmar Stadium in Sanchaung Township to inspect the football ground and instructed the necessaries. The Union Minister and party also visited the Thuwana football ground where they enjoyed the final match of MNL League Cup 2025.

Yangon United won the championship after defeating Shan United with 1-0 score. After the match, Union Minister, Yangon Region Chief Minister and officials presented trophy, cash awards aand medals to winning teams and individuals.

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Myanmar’s women’s national football team earned a resounding 6-0 win over Bahrain in their final Group C match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, held on 5 July at Thuwunna Youth Training Centre in Yangon.
Despite being eliminated from qualification after their earlier 1-2 loss to Bangladesh, the hosts finished their campaign with a dominant performance.
Head coach Yuki reintroduced key striker Win Theingi Tun into the starting line-up, supported by Phyu Phyu Win, Khin Mo Mo Tun, May Htet Lu and San Thaw Thaw. Myanmar dominated possession from kick-off but opened the scoring only in 39 minutes. The team netted three goals in each half.
Goal scorers for Myanmar were Shwe Yi Htun in 39 minutes and 42 minutes, Khin Mo Mo Tun in 45+5 minutes, Win Theingi Tun in 52 minutes, May Htet Lu in 58 minutes, and Win Win in 73 minutes.
In the group’s other match, Bangladesh crushed Turkmenistan 7-0 to top Group C with nine points and secure qualification. Myanmar finished second with six points, while Bahrain and Turkmenistan ended with just one point each and failed to advance. — Chit Ko Ko/KZL

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A handover ceremony for Wushu sports equipment donated by the People’s Republic of China to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs was held at 10 am on 4 July at the Institute of Sports and Physical Education (Yangon) located at Kyaikkasan Sports Grounds, Tamway Township, Yangon Region.
Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs and Chairperson of the Myanmar Olympic Committee Jeng Phang Naw Taung, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Ms Ma Jia and officials from the Chinese Embassy, regional ministers, senior officials from the Department of Sports and Physical Education and the Myanmar Wushu Federation, along with guests attended the ceremony.
At the event, Chinese Ambassador Ms Ma Jia delivered a speech highlighting the purpose and significance of the donation. Union Minister U Jeng Phang Naw Taung followed by expressing appreciation for China’s continued support in the sports sector. He noted that Myanmar’s achievements in Wushu, such as consistent medal wins at the Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, and other international competitions, had been made possible through joint training programmes, deployment of international coaches, and material support from China.
Following the speeches, Ambassador Ms Ma Jia formally handed over the donated Wushu equipment to the Union minister, who, in return, presented a certificate of appreciation.
After the handover, the Union minister held bilateral discussions with Ambassador Ma Jia on strengthening cooperation in sports development, including the utilization of financial budgets in 2026-2027 for advancing Myanmar’s athletic performance, particularly in regional events such as the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games.
Later, the Union minister visited the Teqball Training Hall within the Kyaikkasan sports complex to inspect training activities. Teqball athletes currently preparing for the XXXIII Southeast Asian Games showcased their training, and he provided guidance on performance improvement and coaching strategies.
In the afternoon, the Union minister attended the opening ceremony of the 2025 Inter-State/Region U18 Track and Field Championships at the Padetha Stadium in South Okkalapa Township, Yangon. He delivered opening remarks encouraging young athletes and underscored the importance of sports discipline.
Athletes then recited the four-point oath of sportsmanship. Subsequently, the Yangon Region chief minister awarded incentive cash prizes to the combined teams of Basic Education High School 1 Latha and music troops.
The opening ceremony concluded with enthusiastic support for the boys’ and girls’ 4 by 100 metres relay events. — MNA/KZL

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