An exciting group of middleweights will make up the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) 75kg category, with a fantastic field of fighters including international superstars and continental conquerors each looking to grasp that all important Rio 2016 Olympic Games qualification place.
Amongst the squadron of elite athletes striving to book their tickets to the Brazilian capital is rugged Romanian and 2011 World Boxing Championships bronze medalist Bogdan Juratoni, who has his sights firmly set on becoming the first ever APB World Champion in the middleweight category.
Juratoni, who also won silver in the 2013 European Boxing Championships in Minsk, said: “AIBA Pro Boxing PB is definitely a good thing. You can be professional at the same time as retaining your Olympic eligibility, so it’s a positive step for the sport.
“I’m ready to compete and my aim is to be the first middleweight World Champion in APB. I was at the London 2012 Olympic Games and it was an incredible experience. For that reason I want to go to Rio, and I believe that APB provides a great opportunity for me to qualify.”
AIBA Pro Boxing PB, photo credit AIBA
Lining up alongside Juratoni in the competition is multi-decorated Turk Adem Kilicci. Kilicci has won a host of medals in international tournaments in a glittering boxing career, including the bronze medal in the 2007 World Boxing Championships and gold in the 2013 Mediterranean Games.
French idol and World Series of Boxing (WSB) veteran Michel ‘Le Cubain’ Tavares and Egyptian 2007 All-Africa Games bronze medalist Hosam Abdin are also in the middleweight mix, together with rangy Russian Artem Chebotarev who won the gold medal in the European Boxing Championships in 2010.
Completing the 75kg group are German WSB star Xhek Paskali, 2013 Summer Universiade gold medalist Dmytro Mytrofanov from Ukraine and London 2012 Olympian from Ecuador Marlo Delgado who concludes the pack of APB boxers eager to make their quest for qualification a successful one.
The transfer market seems to have slowed down somewhat, but the rumour mills are still as busy as ever, here are the top transfer rumours making the rounds as compiled by our man Paul Ayorinde.
you can follow Paul on twitter: @El_Pauleta on twitter and also follow @NewFanzone and we will follow you right back, lets keep the discussion going.
Angel Di Maria- (AP Photo/Paul White)
Done Deals:
– FC Twente have completed the signing of Hakim Ziyech from Heerenveen on a four-year deal.
– Vitesse have completed the signing of midfielder Josh McEachran from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal
– Tiago Ilori joins Bordeaux on a season-long loan from Liverpool
– Chelsea midfielder Marko Marin have joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan deal
Tiago Ilori, photo credit liverpoolfc.com
Today’s report and rumours:
-Manchester city boss Manuel Pellegrini says Matija Nastasic,Micah Richards,Scott Sinclair and John Guidetti are all free to leave this summer.
-According to reports, Tottenham are preparing a £17million bid for Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.
– Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is unsure where Angel Di Maria will be playing his football come the end of the transfer window
– According to reports, Manchester United have agreed a £16 million deal with Sporting Lisbon for Marcos Rojo which will see Nani move in the opposite direction on a one-year loan
– According to reports, OGC Nice winger Eric Bautheac has rejected an approach from Championship side Reading
– Roma director Walter Sabatini has reportedly handed Mehdi Benatia a deadline by which to find a new club, or he will stay
– Inter Milan are reportedly planning to lower their asking price for midfielder Fredy Guarin
– According to reports, Manchester United and Napoli have agreed deal that will see Marouane Fellaini go to Italy on a one-year loan
– Hull City boss Steve Bruce wants Bayer Leverkusen defender Philip Wollscheid after missing out on Tottenham’s Michael Dawson
– Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar is set to join Benfica on a two-year deal
– Manchester United are backing in the running to sign Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman.
– Loic Remy will stay at QPR unless a champions league side wants him,says team mate Joey Barton
– According to reports, Manchester United are prepared to commit as much as £100million to their pursuit of Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria
– According to reports, Manchester United have submitted a £25 million bid for Arturo Vidal. Juventus want a fee of around £45 million.
– Southampton are interested in Lazio’s Uruguay midfielder Alvaro Gonzalez
– Sunderland boss Gus Poyet insists they will not welcome any bid for strikers Connor Wickham and Steven Fletcher over the final fortnight of the transfer window
– Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says he is still in the market for new signings despite spending £115 million on five players.
– According to reports in France,Liverpool are close to signing Paris Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi
– Napoli are close to signing Dutch midfielder Jonathan de Guzman
– Sunderland are interested in taking Napoli striker Eduardo Vargas on loan
– Chelsea are looking at AS Roma striker Mattia Destro in case Fernando Torres decides to leave the club
– Inter Milan could face stiff competition from AS Monaco for FC Porto’s Brazilian defender Rolando
– Atletico Madrid are interested in signing former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
– Leicester city remain hopeful of signing free-agent Esteban Cambiasso
-Roma are reportedly lining up a move for Manchester city striker Stevan Jovetic
-Aston Villa are targeting a move for Metalist kharkiv midfielder Sebastain Blanco
Football tit bits:
– Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba insist he only struggled at Stamford Bridge because manager Jose Mourinho picked players on reputation rather than performance.
– Chelsea Goalkeeper might be Seeking a move away from Stamford Bridge after being left out against Burnley.
– Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert says that he is surprised that Southampton’s owners have not faced more criticism over their decision to sell several first-team players this summer
– Germany international midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is set for an indefinite spell on the sidelines as persistent knee problem have limited him to only a few individual training sessions since the World cup.
– Former Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has rejected the offer made by the Korean Football Association(KFA) to join as the South Korea national head coach
– Crystal Palace have been fined by the Premier League for failing to act in good faith towards Cardiff city following last season’s ‘spying’ incident.
Monday’s results for the Youth Olympic Tennis Event being held at the Tennis Academy of China in Nanjing on 17-24 August.
The second Youth Olympic Games, being held on 16-28 August, have welcomed around 3,800 athletes from the 204 National Olympic Committees to Nanjing. Young athletes – aged between 14 and 18 years – are competing in 28 sports.
For the latest news from the event, including a Live Blog, visit the ITF Olympic website and social media platforms:
Management of Warri Wolves has reacted sharply to the statement credited to the Media Officer of Kano Pillars, Idris Malikawa urging NFF to watch the video tape of the match which his team lost by 2-1 in Warri and in the process trying to lay the blame for that loss on the referees.
According to the Media Manager of Warri Wolves, there would have been no need to react to the statement which appeared in a daily Sports paper on Monday but for the fact that one needs to put Kano Pillars where they belong and to set the record straight.
According to Etu, Kano Pillars still enmeshed in Match Fixing controversy over some papers which leaked out some weeks ago has no moral right to raise any eye brow over the goals which were adjudged to be good by all.
Etu further said Warri Wolves believe in playing good football and good goals unlike Kano Pillars which manufactured two penalties when both sides met in Kano.
“We have read the reaction of Kano Pillars in a sports daily and we are surprised that they could open their mouth when they are still enmeshed in match fixing scandal as contained in the papers which leaked out from them. When we played them in Kano, they manufactured two penalties to beat us. they know that we can handle them any day, any time.
We beat them by three goals to nothing in Ilorin last year in an FA Cup, and also thrashed them by two goals to nothing in Abuja late last year in the Super four.
They should keep quiet as we are not desperate to win the way they do over the years where no team has won any match in Kano. We all know the truth about them which is an open secret.” Etu said.
Obinna Anyalebechi, Marketing Manager, Guinness; Mr. Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria; Mr. Gbenga Moses, Head, Sponsored Assets, Globacom and Mr. Koye Sowemimo, Head, Corporate and Consumer Electronics Marketing, Samsung during the live Screening of New Football Season at the Harbour Point Event Center, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday 16th August, 2014.
Football fans were thrilled and excited as SuperSport, the biggest sports content provider on DStv and GOtv over the weekend commenced the Barclay’s Premier League season with fun and great aplomb as it brought a live studio audience to watch the opening match in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, General Manager Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho said MultiChoice and SuperSport wanted soccer fans to feel the passion of the game, which was why a live studio experience was created for the opening games of the Barclays Premier League.
Mabutho promised that MultiChoice through DStv and GOtv will bring quality live high definition coverage of games in the Barclay’s Premier League, to its subscribers. “We want our subscribers to enjoy quality football this season and in the tradition they are used to.
The games will be brought to them in excellent quality and sound, as well as in HD.” he remarked. He also thanked broadcast sponsors of the Barclay’s Premier League; Guinness Nigeria PLC, Globacom, Samsung, Honeywell and Wakanow, calling them partners in the love of football, for their support of the game, which is arguably the World’s most watched sport.
The live audience at the MultiChoice BPL Kick off saw the SuperSport panel of analysts offer projections about what to expect this season, as well as highlights to look forward to. The analysts were, Charles Anazodo, Prince Victor Ikpeba, Segun Agbede and Chisom Mbonu
Various BPL fans during live Screening of New Football Season at the Harbour Point Event Center, Victoria Island, Lago on Saturday 16th August, 2014.
Game 17: Dominican Republic vs. Botswana, 11-1 (4 inn.)
The Dominican Republic increased its record to 2-1 by winning 11-1 against Botswana on Day 3 of the 2014 Softball World Championship in Haarlem (Netherlands).
The Dominicans took a commanding 4-0 lead in the first inning. Maribel Pie led off with a double and Rosangela Rodriguez added a single, which was followed by a run scoring outfield-error. A grounder by Rosaury Perez led to the next run. After the Dominicans got the bases loaded, Dharianna Familia hit a 2-run double that made it 4-0.
An error gave the Dominican Republic an additional run in the second inning, then two runs were added in the third when an error followed a single by Lidiseth Soto. Botswana had scored its lone run in the top of the third when Iponeng Molapong scored on an error.
The 10-run difference was reached in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Dominicans quickly got the bases loaded, which led to a pitching change. After a force play at home, a wild pitch produced the first run. Next, Josefina Mercedes hit a 2-run single and Dharianna Familia followed with a walk-off single that made it 11-1.
Game 18: Russia vs. Cuba, 3-5 [Box Score]
Cuba handed Russia its third loss of the event, while increasing its own record to 2-1 by winning 5-3. Leading 2-1, Cuba rallied for three runs in the fourth inning.
In the second inning, Cuba opened the score with two runs. The team got the bases loaded when Leanneyi Gomez, Yarisleidis Casanova and Yanitza Aviles (bunt) all singled. A flyout and force out followed, but then singles by Yilian Rondon and Yuselys Acosta made it 2-0.
Russia got one run back in the third on a single by Anastasia Buchenkova, but Cuba answered with a 3-run rally in the fourth at bat. Yanitza Aviles singled and Ludisleidis Napoles walked, then both advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Johandra Espinosa, then scored on a triple by Maritza Toledo. A sacrifice fly by Yuselys Acosta made it 5-1, before the game was interrupted by rain.
After the game resumed, Russia scored twice in the fifth inning, which also had a rain delay. In the inning, an error and a single by Daria Semenova brought in the runs to narrow the deficit to 5-3. But Russia also stranded three runners in this at bat and was left emty-handed for the third consecutive day.
Game 19: Australia vs. Great Britain, 9-0 (4 ½ inn.)
Australia remained unbeaten by winning 9-0 vs. Great Britain, which suffered its third loss. Australia got eight base hits.
Australia decided the game early by scoring six runs in the first inning. Leigh Godfrey led off with a single and stole second. After a rain-delay, Melinda Weaver walked and a sacrifice bunt by Chelsea Forkin moved the runners. The bases got loaded when Brenda De Blaes was hit by a pitch and then Rachel Lack connected for a grand slam homerun that gave the Aussies an early 4-0 lead. Later in the inning, two runs were added on a wild pitch and a single by Stacey McManus.
A single by Melinda Weaver gave Australia its next run in the third at bat, then two runs were added in the fourth. With one out, Jade Wall walked and Erin Thras singled, then a sacrifice fly by Belinda White and a single by Stacey McManus lifted the lead to 9-0.
Great Britain got its lone scoring opportunity in the fourth inning when it got two runners on base with two outs, but a strikeout ended the inning.
W-Ellen Roberts (1-0), L-Carling Hare (0-3). HR-Rachel Lack (AUS) (1).
Game 20: Italy vs. Netherlands, 1-8 (5 inn.) [Box Score]
The Netherlands recovered after having lost its first two outings by winning big against its European archrival Italy with an 8-1 score in a 5-inning game.
The host country of this year’s World Championship set the tone in the first inning. Chantal Versluis led off with a single and scored on an one-out triple by Britt Vonk, who then scored herself on a following singled by Saskia Kosterink.
A 4-run rally then was staged in the second inning. Nathalie Gosewehr, who played in her 100th official international game for the Orange squad, led off with a walk and Nathalie Timmermans singled. After a pitching change, an error led to two runs, then a single by Merel Oosterveld and sacrifice fly by Britt Vonk made it 6-0. The latter accounted for four runs, scoring two and batting in two.
A grounder by Anne Blaauwgeers and a wild pitch lifted the lead to 8-0 in the next two at bats of the game, which was then briefly delayed by rain.
Dutch pitcher Lindsey Meadows had only given up one base hit in the first inning, which was hit by veteran Eva Trevisan. In the fifth inning, Italy scored its lone run when pinch-hitter Ilaria Pina homered.
Game 21: USA vs. Chinese Taipei, 5-1
The United States won its third consecutive game by handing Chinese Taipei a 5-1 loss. The runs were scored early in the game, as the final four innings all remained scoreless.
After Taipei had stranded two runners in the top of the first inning, the Americans scored three runs in its half of the first at bat. With one out, Kelsey Stewart singled, as did Samantha Fischer with two outs, leading to the first run. This game then also was delayed by rain and when it resumed, Valerie Arioto and Lauren Gibson hit back-to-back doubles, with the latter accounting for two runs to lift the lead to 3-0.
Chinese Taipei got one run back in the second inning when Yi Ting Yang scored on an error. In the bottom half, Raven Chavanne singled with two outs for the USA, as did Kelsey Stewart, but both were left behind.
Team USA then answered with two more runs in the third at bat. Samantha Fischer led off with a homerun and that led to a pitching change. Valerie Arioto then walked, moved on a sacrifice bunt and was awarded third base on an illegal pitch. After a pop-fly, another illegal pitch enabled Arioto to score and make it 5-1.
In the remaining innings, both teams were held scoreless.
Game 22: Puerto Rico vs. Japan, 2-9 (6 inn.)
Reigning champion Japan raised its record to 3-0 by winning 9-2 vs. Puerto Rico, which is now 0-3. Japan collected eleven base hits, while Puerto Rico got only four.
Japan opened the score in the first inning. Yu Yamamoto (lead-off) and Yuka Ichiguchi (with one out) both walked and that resulted in an early pitching change for Puerto Rico. But new pitcher
Jailynn Jackson was greeted with an RBI-single by Eri Yamada and a runscoring fielder’s choice-grounder by Misato Kawano that gave Japan a 2-0 lead.
A double by Erika Garcia gave Puerto Rico a run in the second inning, but Japan reacted with a 4-run rally on four hits in the third at bat. Yu Yamamoto led off with a walk and Rei Nishiyama singled. After advancing on a sac-bunt, the two scored on a single by Eri Yamada. Later in the inning, Minami Sato and Haruna Sakamoto contributed with run scoring singles that lifted the lead to 6-1.
Japan added two more runs in the fourth inning when Sayaka hit a 2-run homerun. A homerun also accounted for Puerto Rico’s next run when Sahvanna Jaquish drove the ball over the fence in left-centerfield, but that was to be the last run for her team.
In the sixth inning, Japan added another run on two back-to-back extra basehits. With one out, Nozomi Nagasaki tripled and Rie Nagayoshi doubled to make it a 9-2 score.
W-Kana Nakano (1-0), L-Jocelyn De Leon (0-1). HRs-Sayaka Mori (JPN) (1), Sahvanna Jaquish (PUR) (1).
Game 23: China vs. Czech Republic, 0-2
The Czech Republic registered a historic victory by winning 2-0 vs.China. Two years ago in Whitehorse (Canada), China was eliminated in the play-offs, while the Czechs didn’t reach the final-8. In 2002 (Saskatoon, Canada), 2006 (Beijing, China) and 2010 (Caracas, Venezuela), China finished in fourth place.
The Czech Republic, which is led by veteran coach André Prins, scored both runs in the third inning off Lan Wang, who struckout nine batters. After the Czechs were retired in order in the first and second inning, the team struck in the third at bat. Sabina Borecka led off with a single, but was caught stealing. Hereafter, Petra Kriklanova was hit by a pitch and with two outs Tereza Jakesova reached on an error. A wild pitch and a single by Lucie Petraskova then gave the Czech Republic its 2-0 lead.
China left a runner in the second inning, then two more in the third. China then threated again in the fourth at bat, as it got the bases loaded with two outs. Pinch-hitter Qianwen Feng walked, Jingjing Yuan singled and (after a rain-delay) Kailin Xi also walked to load the bases. But the inning ended when a flyout followed.
In the sixth inning, China got another scoring opportunity. Dongmei Wei singled and Xue Sun walked, then advanced on a sacrifice bunt. But after an offensive conference, the second out followed when Sun was ruled out for leaving second base too early. Pitcher Veronika Pechkova then ended the inning with a strikeout. She struck out two more batters in the seventh inning, then gave up a single, but a grounder ended the game to seal the historic win in Czech softball.
W-Veronika Pechkova (2-0), L-Lan Wang (0-2).
Game 24: Canada defeats New Zealand, 8-1 (4 ½ inn.)
Canada closed the third day of the 2014 Softball World Championship with a comfortable 8-1 victory against New Zealand to remain unbeaten. Canada got 12 basehits, including three by Kaleigh Rafter. Sara Groenewegen went the distance for Canada, struckout eight batters and gave up only two basehits.
Initially, Canada trailed 1-0 in the first inning. New Zealand got the bases loaded with one out when Ellie Cooper and Lara Andrews walked and Katrina Nukunuku was hit by a pitch. Sara Groenewegen then also hit next batter Kyla Bromhead with a pitch to bring in the run, but she then followed with two strikeouts to end the inning. Groenewegen recovered and allowed only one batter to reach base in the next three innings. She gave up two singles in the fifth, but at that moment Canada was already leading 8-1.
Trailing 1-0, Canada rallied for four runs in the home half of the first inning. Joey Lye led off with a walk and Jennifer Yee singled with one out, then a single by Kaleigh Rafter accounted for the tying run. After the runners advanced on a wild pitch, Jennifer Gilbert tripled to bring in two runs, then scored herself on a sacrifice fly by Carey-Leigh Thomas.
Canada added a run in the second inning on a single by Jennifer Yee, but also left the bases loaded. The team also stranded three runners in the third at bat, but then scored three more runs in the fourth at bat. Kaleigh Rafter doubled and her pinch-runner Victoria Hayward advanced on a single by Carey-Leigh Thomas, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Sara Hopwood. After a single by Caitlin Lever, Natalie Wideman doubled to bring in two runs and increase the lead to 8-1.
The IOC today announced that it has extended its Worldwide TOP Partnership with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung) through to the end of 2020. Samsung will be the official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communication Equipment and Computing Equipment category.
The extension of the partnership between the IOC and Samsung was made official during a signing ceremony with IOC President Thomas Bach, and Jay Y. Lee, Vice Chairman at Samsung Electronics, in Nanjing, China, host of the 2nd Youth Olympic Games, which officially opened yesterday.
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “We are delighted to be able to continue our partnership with Samsung. The funding generated by the TOP Programme directly supports the staging of every Olympic Games, as well as every one of the National Olympic Committees, enabling athletes from all over the world to prepare for and compete at each Games. Samsung also supports the operations of each Games by providing leading wireless telecommunications and technology equipment. In addition, Samsung’s technologies and global marketing reach will engage fans around the world with the Olympic values and the Olympic Movement.”
IOC Marketing Commission Chairman Tsunekazu Takeda said: “I am delighted that we have now reached agreements with all of our existing partners through to at least 2020. This is a clear sign of the strength of the programme and the global appeal of the Olympic Games and the Olympic values.”
Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics, said: “Samsung aims to spread the Olympic spirit through our innovative wireless and computing technologies, enabling all fans around the world to stay connected and share the excitement of the Games. We are proud to extend our involvement in the Olympic Movement, as it is meaningful to us to inspire people through the passion that lies behind the Games and contribute to creating a smarter Olympic Games”.
The extension of the partnership means that Samsung now supports the Organising Committees of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, in 2016, the XXIII Olympic Winter Games (2018) in PyeongChang and the Games of the XXXII Olympiad (2020) in Tokyo, as well as the Organisers of each Youth Olympic Games through to 2020. Samsung will also continue to support the IOC and every National Olympic Committee.
Samsung’s first Olympic Games as a Worldwide TOP Partner was the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games; and Samsung is the 11th company to commit to the Worldwide TOP Programme through 2020.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari returned to the NFF Secretariat on Monday and pledged to work together with the entire Nigeria football family ahead of the coming elections into the NFF Executive Committee.
“There is no victor and no vanquished. We must all come together in the interest of the Nigeria game. We are all adults and we must have differences, but I am happy that those differences are now in the past and we are now of the same accord,” Maigari said as he settled into his chair.
Maigari was on Thursday last week restored to office by world football –governing body, FIFA, after weeks of uncertainty at the Glass House, during which his Executive Committee said they had impeached him on sundry allegations.
On Friday, Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, asked Maigari to go back to office, and the 58 –year old former school teacher arrived at the NFF Secretariat sometime before noon on Monday.
NFF Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Maigari
He met Chief Mike Umeh, Hon. Shehu Adamu and Mr. Ayodeji Tinubu, some of his Board members, in the office, and after hours of deliberation, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, High Chief Emeka Inyama, disclosed that the Board had come together once more and that the interest of Nigeria football had prevailed.
“We are one big family, as we have always been. There were disagreements and misunderstanding for a number of weeks, but FIFA has cleared the air and the Government has weighed in on the side of FIFA.
“In the interest of the Nigeria game, we have all resolved to bury our differences and rather work towards evolving a roadmap for the coming elections. There will be a meeting of the Executive Committee on Tuesday, 19th August,” Inyama said.
Also most likely to be on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting is the issue of Super Eagles’ Head Coach, as the days tick speedily towards the commencement of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying race.
Dolphins battled to a scoreless game in a keenly contested encounter at the Akure Stadium on Sunday.
Starting without three regulars, Victor Ezuruike, Emmanuel Olowo and Ifeanyi Egwim, Dolphins were off to a bright start as Emem Eduok got some space in the box but was pulled down by Jude Ehitongwa but the Center referee waved play on.
Ibrahim Ajani also presented Dele Olorundare with a great chance to score in the 21st minute with a sublime cross but Sunday Rotimi was well positioned to make a save.
Emem Eduok – Dolphins FC
Dolphins soaked up most of the pressure coming from Sunshine Stars and went into the break scoreless.
Three minutes into the second half, Prince Aggrey was brought down in the box and the referee wasted no time to call a penalty which was well saved by Sunday Rotimi.
Stanley Eguma brought in Bolaji Sarkin and Isiaka Olawale for Victor Alegbe and Tijani Adamu respectively in the 67th and 75th minutes.
Emem Eduok had a chance to kill the game when he made one of his trademark runs on the left but was pulled down by Paul Onobi, the referee looking away once again.
With five minutes of added time at the end of the game, Dolphins held on to record its first point in Akure since 2003.
Practice is over, the sailors have been welcomed at the Opening Ceremony and it’s now time to focus on the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Sailing Competition.
One hundred and one sailors across four fleets have completed registration and are fully prepared for racing on Lake Jinniu in Nanjing.
The Nanjing 2014 Opening Ceremony had it all. Ancient and modern China was represented through jaw dropping audacity on an epic scale. Sky dive dancers, a gigantic Olympic ring evolving telescope, dance perfection and a roaring flame were just some of the highlights of a magical night.
A total of 205 nations paraded their flags in front of a packed 60,000 capacity stadium that was bursting with life, laughter and excitement throughout the night.
Sailors’ Paul de Souza (BAH), Florence Allan (CAY), Joshua Ioane (COK), Omer Yoav (ISR), Odile van Aanholt (NED), Dolores Moreira (URU), Sam Morrell (IVB) and Paige Clarke (ISV) had the honour of carrying their flags in front of thousands.
As a moment of a lifetime, Morrell described the night, “It was incredible. It was pretty amazing when you’re walking with your countries flag and you hear the roar of the stadium. It was just a great experience.
“I met a lot of people whilst waiting and it was really fun to just be there. It’s been great meeting new people. It’s been an opportunity of a lifetime. I think YOG has been great.”
Fellow flag bearer Clarke added, “Everything’s been pretty amazing. The whole feel of it here has been pretty great. It’s completely different just because there are so many sports, so many people, so many countries here – it’s pretty incredible.”
Sitting from the stands Indonesia’s Kirana Wardojo (INA) watched on in amazement, “It was incredibly awesome,” she said with a glint in her eyes. “The Chinese, how long did they train? It was so cool. You needed a lot of people to do it all. I was amazed and want to see it again.”
Like the Indonesian, fellow sailor and spectator Pedro Correa (BRA) was also gripped by the spectacle, “Woah, it was so cool. My mum was there and she told me ‘Oh I was crying’. It was a proper Olympic Opening Ceremony.”
Nanjing 2014 – 17 Aug – Practice Race-2 – photo credit ISAF
The Olympic Sailing Venue at Lake Jinniu opened on 13 August with the sailors arriving early to get hold of their supplied Byte CII and Techno 293 equipment. Lake Jinniu has thrown out a mixed bag of conditions in the training days and after honing in their technical skills following equipment distribution the 101 sailors had the chance to test themselves against each other in a practice race on 17 August 2013.
Two race courses will host the 30 boat Byte CII Boys and Girls fleets, the 20 strong Techno 293 Boys pack and the 21 Techno 293 girl’s racers.
Nanjing 2014 – 17 Aug – Practice Race-1- photo credit ISAF
On the race areas Henry Marshall (USA) said, “It’s great. It’s light wind which is nice. There are a lot of elements that will make the regatta pretty shifty and puffy which is cool. It’s quite the playground for sailing.”
British racer Hanna Brant concurred, “It’s pretty shifty, you have to keep your head out of the boat quite a lot to watch out for shifts and take them when you need to but it’s good fun and exciting.”
Spirits among the racers are at, on the face of it, an all-time high as they soak in the unique atmosphere that the Youth Olympic Games offers. Staying in the Youth Olympic Village is an experience like no other, but one that has fully been embraced. “It is absolutely amazing,” said Megan Robertson (RSA). “There are people everywhere trying to help you and our rooms are also the best. The food is okay’ish but the atmosphere is amazing and I’m really enjoying it.”
Bermuda’s Cecilia Wollman added, “It’s really cool. I wish every place had a village like that. It’s so awesome and the food is really cool. It’s cool where we go but sometimes it’s kind of weird, I had rice for breakfast this morning.”
Racing is scheduled to commence at 11:00 local time on 18 August. The competition time allows racing up until 18:00 local time and with close proximity to the race courses, a literal stone’s throw to course A, racing can happen at quite short notice.
Nanjing 2014 – 17 Aug – Practice Race-3 – photo credit ISAF
The four YOG Sailing events are:
Boy’s Windsurfer – Techno 293
Girl’s Windsurfer – Techno 293
Boy’s One Person Dinghy – Byte CII
Girl’s One Persona Dinghy – Byte CII
The YOG Sailing Competition will consist of an opening series and final race. The format will be fleet racing but slalom racing may be run for the Boy’s and Girl’s Windsurfers if the weather conditions are suitable.
Rugby has always been regarded as a man’s game. But women are making their presence felt not just as spectators but as participants too. The side attraction clash between Police select and Lagos select During Saturday’s League match day was no doubt the main attraction at the National stadium’s main bowl, Lagos.
Funmilayo Aladeyelu is being tackled by an opponent during the women select match on saturday
The first league match of the day saw Police Machines cross the line seven times to win 35-0 despite first half resistance from Lagos RFC. Police no 8; Adebambo Remilekun opened the scoring before Captain Ramon Bakare and a host of others made their markers.
Meanwhile, Hawkster Athletics full back; Stephen James inspired his team to a 71 -0 win against Eko II.
Hawksters players enjoyed themselves against EcoII on Saturday afternoon with an impressive performance from Solomon Cockeye and young fly half, Nelson Sunday.
Young fly half Nelson Sunday impressed as his team beats Eco II on Saturday
In other games, Royal Stallions RFC of Ilorin lost 0-15 to Racing RFC and the last match of the day between Cowrie RFC and hard fighting Gosar RFC would not be easily forgotten. Gosar’s young center; Sodiq Akanni drew the first blood with his boots in the 36th minute, Cowrie scored their first try right on the clock through winger Christian Ogar to keep the score at 5-3 before the break.
Police RFC vs Lagos RFC
Cowrie’s resilience in the second half ensured victory for the league leaders with tries from new winger; Onor Jato, Frank Adedeji and Hafis Ayinla. the match ended 24-3 points in favour of Cowrie RFC.
Southwest League First Phase Comes To An End:
Southwest Rugby League
The first phase of Southwest League has ended. Cowrie RFC still maintainS its position at the top of the Table with 35 points, Racing RFC are second with 25 and are being trailed closely by Police RFC with 24 points.
Eco II RFC still sits at the bottom of the log with no point.
The Technical Director of the NRFF Olatunji Fasimoye expressed his satisfaction over the CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co Ltd sponsored league, he emphasized that the league across the regions will help the development and awareness of the sports in the country; he also commended the administrators of the league Friends of Rugby and the sponsors CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co Ltd a leading real estate firm in the country for their support towards Rugby development in Nigeria.
newfanzone 