Panasonic Holdings Corp. said Tuesday it will end its sponsorship contract with the International Olympic Committee, putting an end to its 37-year marketing tie-up with the event.

The Japanese company agreed with the IOC not to extend the partnership after its current top-tier sponsor contract term ends in December, Panasonic said.

Although the company’s “support of the Olympic philosophy” remains unchanged, the group decided to end the sponsorship as it “continually reviews how sponsorship should evolve with broader management considerations,” Panasonic said in a press release

The leading maker of electronics has been providing broadcast cameras, sound systems and projection equipment used in the sporting event, but is shifting its focus to such growing products as batteries for electric vehicles.

The Panasonic group is reducing its dependence on audio and visual products, deciding in July to sell its commercial-use projector business.

Panasonic first became an Olympic sponsor in 1987 and expanded its partnership to the Paralympic Games in 2014. The company will terminate its contracts for both games, it said.

Panasonic joins Toyota Motor Corp. in withdrawing from a top-level Olympics marketing agreement. Toyota plans to end its contract for the Olympics, but continue sponsorship for the Paralympics, people familiar with the matter have said in May.

“Over the past 37 years, we have gained many valuable experiences” through the sponsorship and “deepened our bonds with sports fans and athletes around the world,” Panasonic CEO Yuki Kusumi said in the press release.

“The IOC understands and fully respects that the Panasonic Group has to adapt its business strategy. Therefore, this partnership is ending in a respectful and friendly way.” IOC President Thomas Bach said.

The man who attacked Ugandan Olympian runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died from injuries sustained during the brutal incident. The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Kenya, confirmed on Tuesday that Dickson Ndiema Marangach, who set fire to Cheptegei in a horrific act of violence, succumbed to his injuries after days in intensive care.

The assault occurred on September 1 at Cheptegei’s home in western Kenya. Police reports indicate that Marangach, who had been involved in an ongoing dispute with Cheptegei, doused her with petrol before setting her ablaze. Cheptegei, a mother of two, suffered burns on 80 percent of her body and died last week as a result of her injuries. Marangach, who also sustained burns during the attack, had been in critical condition with 30 percent burns but passed away late Monday evening.

“It’s true, we lost Dickson Ndiema last night around 8:00 p.m.,” confirmed a hospital source who requested anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the case. The source added that the hospital is preparing a comprehensive statement on the incident, but Marangach’s family has already been notified of his death.

The violent death of 33-year-old Rebecca Cheptegei has shocked both Uganda and Kenya, highlighting the disturbing trend of gender-based violence (GBV) in East Africa. The attack on Cheptegei is yet another example of the widespread issue of femicide, which has claimed the lives of several prominent athletes in recent years.

Cheptegei, who had recently made her Olympic debut in the women’s marathon at the Paris Games, finishing 44th, was a rising star in Ugandan athletics. Her untimely death has triggered an outpouring of grief and outrage. The Ugandan Olympic Committee has announced that her burial will take place on September 14 near her family home in eastern Uganda.

According to local media reports, Cheptegei’s daughters witnessed the heinous act, making the situation all the more heartbreaking. Police investigations revealed that Marangach slipped into Cheptegei’s home in Endebess, near the Ugandan border, while she and her children were at church. He had reportedly purchased five liters of petrol, which he hid in a chicken cage on the property, before launching the deadly attack.

Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, provided additional details to reporters, describing the ongoing conflict between his daughter and Marangach, which centered around the ownership of the property where Cheptegei lived with her sister and daughters. He recalled the chilling moments of the attack, saying, “He poured the petrol and set her on fire. When she called her sister for help, he threatened her with a machete, and she fled.”

Authorities confirmed that the couple had experienced frequent domestic disputes in the past. Unfortunately, like many victims of gender-based violence, Cheptegei’s struggles ended in tragedy.

The attack has drawn renewed attention to the epidemic of violence against women in Kenya and the broader East African region. According to the most recent United Nations data, violence against women remains pervasive in Kenya, with 725 femicide cases reported in 2022 alone. A 2023 report from Kenya’s National Bureau of Statistics further revealed that 34 percent of women in the country have suffered physical violence since the age of 15.

Ademola Lookman’s inclusion as the only African on the 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist has drawn significant attention, not only for his exceptional performance with Atalanta but also for his continued excellence on the international stage with Nigeria. His recent display against Benin cements his claim to be a top contender for African Player of the Year, following in the footsteps of Nigeria’s football greats.

Lookman’s nomination is a recognition of his vital contributions to Atalanta’s success, particularly during the 2022/23 season, where he played a pivotal role in the club’s triumph in the Europa League. The 26-year-old forward was instrumental in Atalanta’s first-ever European trophy, highlighted by his stunning hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in May, which helped the Italian side secure a 3-0 victory. That win not only handed Leverkusen their only defeat of the season but also ended their unbeaten run, with Lookman orchestrating the downfall of the German side. His standout performances have earned him the distinction of being the sole African player in this year’s 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist.

Critics and analysts agree that Lookman has steadily grown into his potential, but 2024 has undoubtedly been his breakthrough year. His stellar performances for Nigeria have not gone unnoticed, especially his pivotal role in leading the Super Eagles to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to host nation Ivory Coast. Lookman’s contribution of three goals during the tournament marked him as one of Nigeria’s best players.

In the Italian Serie A, Lookman’s consistency continued as he netted 11 goals, helping Atalanta secure a fourth-place finish and earning a spot in this season’s UEFA Champions League. His Europa League heroics, particularly his hat-trick in the final, have cemented his reputation as a player for big occasions. Despite rumors linking him to a summer transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, Lookman remains committed to Atalanta, with both Italian and African football fans eagerly watching to see if he can build on his success.

Significantly, Lookman’s nomination makes him the eighth Nigerian player to be considered for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. His inclusion is a sign of resurgence for Nigerian football at the global level. Two consecutive years of nominations for Nigerian players—Victor Osimhen last year and now Lookman—mirror the era between 1995 and 1999, when Nigeria consistently had players featured in the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

During that golden period, legends such as Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, and Austin Okocha graced the list. In 1995, Finidi George finished 21st, while Amokachi and Okocha did not receive votes. The following year, Kanu Nwankwo emerged as a formidable presence, finishing 11th in 1996. Kanu would go on to secure another Ballon d’Or nomination in 1999, solidifying his legacy as one of Nigeria’s football greats. Other nominees in that era included Victor Ikpeba in 1997 and Sunday Oliseh in 1998.

While Lookman’s goal is undoubtedly a top-three finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings, the challenge remains monumental. The highest-ranked African in the award’s history is George Weah, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1995. Since then, Didier Drogba came closest in 2007, finishing fourth behind Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi. Lookman now has the opportunity to build on this legacy, with his Europa League final performance and strong AFCON campaign serving as his strongest cases.

Looking beyond Lookman’s individual achievements, his nomination is a source of pride for Nigeria and a reminder of the nation’s rich football heritage. This period evokes memories of Nigeria’s dominance in continental and global football, particularly during the 1990s when Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, and Kanu Nwankwo consistently lifted the African Footballer of the Year trophy.

In 1993, Rashidi Yekini became the first Nigerian to win Africa’s top football honor, and in subsequent years, Amuneke, Kanu, and Victor Ikpeba added to Nigeria’s trophy cabinet. This golden era also coincided with Nigeria’s highest-ever FIFA World Ranking, where the Super Eagles entered the 1994 World Cup as the fifth-best team in the world.

With Osimhen’s nomination last year and Lookman’s inclusion this year, the conversation around the development of football in Nigeria has reignited. Many fans and pundits are calling for a return to grassroots development, emphasizing the need to invest in school sports and youth programs to discover the next generation of Nigerian stars. As one Nigerian football analyst pointed out: “We have many Osimhens and Lookmans, but we need to go back to the grassroots to discover them.”

Lookman’s remarkable achievements for Atalanta and Nigeria serve as a beacon of what is possible when talent is nurtured and given opportunities. His Ballon d’Or nomination is not only a personal victory but also a call to action for the Nigerian football community to ensure that the country continues to produce world-class players.