Hansi Flick has reportedly completed formal steps on a new contract agreement with FC Barcelona, extending his stay at the club as part of a long-term project aimed at sustained domestic and European success.
According to reports, the deal has already been verbally agreed and the remaining process is largely administrative, with official signing expected to be completed today. The new agreement is set to keep Flick at the Catalan club until June 2028, with an additional optional year until 2029, depending on performance conditions and mutual agreement between both parties.
Flick, who took over managerial duties at Barcelona in 2024, has quickly become central to the club’s sporting rebuild. His tactical approach and emphasis on structure and intensity have been credited with restoring stability to the squad and improving consistency in performances across competitions.
Club president Joan Laporta and senior sporting officials are believed to have played key roles in finalizing the agreement, with discussions focusing on continuity, squad development, and long-term competitiveness.
While an official club announcement is still expected, the deal is understood to be fully agreed in principle, marking another major step in Barcelona’s ongoing rebuild under Flick’s leadership.
Nigerian chess advocate and social entrepreneur Tunde Onakoya has achieved a historic milestone after becoming the first African to receive the Lideramos Youth Award for Social Impact. The award was presented in Barcelona, recognising his transformative work in underserved communities.
The Lideramos Youth Award celebrates young leaders across the world who are driving meaningful social change. Onakoya’s recognition marks a significant moment, not only for Nigeria but for Africa as a whole.
Onakoya is the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering children in disadvantaged communities through chess and education. Since its inception, the initiative has helped thousands of children gain access to learning opportunities, mentorship, and scholarships, using chess as a tool to build critical thinking and life skills.
His journey from growing up in a modest environment in Lagos to becoming an internationally recognised changemaker has been widely celebrated as a story of resilience and purpose. Through his work, Onakoya has consistently advocated for education as a pathway out of poverty, positioning chess as more than just a game but a vehicle for social transformation.
In addition to his social impact work, Tunde Onakoya gained global attention for his record-breaking chess marathon in New York City in 2024, where he played continuously for over 60 hours in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Records title. The feat was aimed at raising funds and awareness for his initiative, further amplifying his mission to support underserved children through education.
While accepting the award, Onakoya spoke about the importance of small, consistent efforts in creating large-scale change, reinforcing the philosophy that has guided his work over the years.
