A VCP course was successfully organised in Benin August 9 to 13 in attendance of 29 participants from 4 nationalities.
The course was instructed by Mbaye Deme from Senegal in presence of 9 females. The countries represented were host Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire.
Twenty participants passed the course after a great enthusiasm from all the course attendance.
participants highly excited
“We are very thankful to FIVB and CAVB for their great support to bring this course to full success,” Mbaye Deme said.
“We hope that all the participating coaches can use the benefits of what they learn here in their respective countries.”
Equine athletes competing at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) will have the best possible care available to them at the on-site veterinary facilities operating at all venues on a 24/7 basis.
Each of the five competition venues has its own dedicated veterinary clinic, each of which is supported by three top class referral clinics specialising in equine internal medicine, fractures and the treatment of colic. The referral clinics, which will be used in case treatment is required offsite, are located within easy travelling distance and horses will be transferred by equine ambulance.
Each clinic is furnished with a full range of diagnostic equipment including x-ray and ultrasound machines, and endoscopes. Each facility includes a minimum of five treatment boxes as well as a specific stable for any horse that may require more extensive monitoring. A team of five specialist imaging veterinarians, who are available for expert assistance and support, is on duty at each clinic.
In addition, each facility houses a pharmacy stocking a wide range of veterinary supplies and full laboratory equipment. An external laboratory is also available in case further diagnostic testing is required.
An equine anti-doping facility, where sample collection for anti-doping testing will take place, is located on each site, along with a forge manned by three expert farriers.
In addition to these outstanding services, a world-class team of equine veterinary experts is in place at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy to safeguard horse health and provide excellent care and attention.
A total of 65 treating veterinarians, 26 FEI veterinary officials, two veterinarians in charge of limb sensitivity testing, and seven testing veterinarians who are supported by nine testing technicians, will be officiating during the Games. The official vets will be supported by 50 veterinary students and, in addition, 176 personal and team veterinarians will accompany the horses competing in Normandy throughout the event.
Veterinary Services Manager Anne Couroucé-Malblanc is in overall charge of the multi-venue veterinary facilities for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (Liz Gregg/FEI).
“Horse welfare is central to the work of the FEI,” FEI Veterinary Director Graeme Cooke said. “We have a longstanding approach to providing veterinary support at competitions at all levels and on every scale.
“In total, 159 veterinary personnel will be working on behalf of the FEI in Normandy, in addition to the team vets that travel with the National Federations. They will all be working under the FEI Veterinary Regulations, which cover the supervision, health and welfare of the horses competing in FEI events from the moment they arrive on site to the moment they leave.
“This large team of specialists and the outstanding veterinary facilities have been put in place to ensure that horse welfare is absolutely optimal throughout the Games in Normandy.”
Veterinary Services Manager Anne Couroucé-Malblanc is in overall charge of the multi-venue veterinary facilities for the Games.
“None of this massive support system would be possible without the fantastic partnerships we have with the labs, the vets and the societies that have provided equipment for the clinics,” she said.
“It’s wonderful to have people of the calibre of Professor Jean-Marie Denoix on board from the CIRALE imaging centre for horses in Normandy, part of the Maisons-Alfort vet school in Paris, and LABEO Frank Duncombe in Normandy. All our treating vets are volunteers, and every one of them immediately agreed when I asked them to be part of this huge event.
“This combination of incredible veterinary expertise and world class facilities means that we can be totally confident that we will provide the best possible care for the horses that we have competing at the Games.”
Egypt Men’s Volleyball team jets to Poland on Monday for a short camp in the 2014 FIVB Men’s World Championship organizing country ahead of the competition due to start on August 30, 2014.
The African Champions finished the third stage of preparation by a stage in Italy where the team played against local Italian teams and won 3 out of 4 matches.
They will play two friendly matches against Poland B team on Tuesday and Wednesday before they start their input in the World Championship against China on September 1st.
Egypt and Italy Youth volleyball teams in a collective photo
Egypt coach Ibrahoim Fakhr eldin selected the final squad which includes; Hossam Yousif, Mohamed Fathy (Setters), Ahmed Salah Abdelnaim, Ahmed Kotb, (Opposite spikers), Rashad Shibl, Mamdouh Abdel Moneim, Abdelhalim Mohamed (Middle blockers), Saleh Fathy, Mohamed Badawy, Mohamed Elhossiny, Islam Abdelsamea (Outside hitters) and Essam Meaoad (Libero).
Egypt started their first stage of preparation in Tunisia August 1 to 4 where they won twice their rivals in 2 Fridley matches. They continued the second stage in Algeria August 5 to 9 where they defeated Algeria in other 3 friendly matches. After a local camp in Cairo, Egypt continued the third stage in Italy where they played another 4 matches against the local teams.
Egypt face Russia, Canada, China, Bulgaria and Mexico in Pool C of the World Championship finals in Gdańsk.
…Warns Against NSC Taking Sides…Level Playing Field For All Candidates
NFF Extra Ordinary Congress holding at the roadside on the Street of Abuja. photo credit Wale Joseph
The umbrella body for Sports Editors in Nigeria, tagged Guild Of Sports Editors met in Lagos on Wednesday to review recent happenings in Nigerian football and resolved that there was need for government at the highest level to take action on the ‘shameful happenings’ in football management in the country.
The meeting which was chaired by the newly elected President of the body, Tony Ubani of the Vanguard newspapers, had in attendance such eminent personalities as:
Jide Alabi of the Silverbird Group,
Ade Ojeikere of the Nations Newspapers,
Ben Alaiya of SportsDay,
Kunle Salami of New Telegraph,
Duro Ikhazuagbe of ThisDay,
Ben Alozie of The Union,
Ben Memuletiwon of National Mirror,
Dare Esan Of Complete Sports,
Emeka Ezeugwu of the Newswatch Group,
Femi Olusetire of SportsDay,
Peter Edema of Daily Independent,
Desmond Ekwueme of National Weekender,
John Joshua Akanji of the Sun Newspapers group.
The meeting was superintended by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the group and Weekend Editor of the Vanguard newspapers, Mr Onochie Anibeze.
Chris Giwa resumes leads a prayer session upon resumption at the Glass House. photo credit Yinka Elebute
The group views with serious concern, the way and manner Nigerian football has been riddled with crisis of recent, which has put the country in international odium.
“We view this issues as very unfortunate and want to ask those concerned to put an immediate stop to it, especially as we hear that these issues are being orchestrated by some high powers in the Sports sector”.
Having taking a serious look at the issues we have no option but to call on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to use his good offices to call all his sports officers to order in the larger interest of the Nigerian people.
Because his government has been an achieving in the area of sports and we cannot allow unbridled personal interest and ambition to ruin his achievement in sports.
The statement jointly signed by President Tony Ubani and Secretary General, Dare Esan, says Nigeria has received enough insult from the international community and the idea of causing crisis after every World Cup year in Nigeria must stop forthwith.
“We want to advise that the purported election of some officials recently cannot hold water because the congress held elsewhere and we cannot continue to use the apparatus of government to intimidate the very persons it is meant to protect.
We therefore call on President Goodluck Jonathan to throw the field open for all eligible candidates to contest the forthcoming elections as that is the standard international practice. Anything short will be unacceptable to the generality of Nigerians”, the statement declared.
The statement further added that why it was not siding with any of the parties it seeks for justice and peace and thinks that only President Goodluck Jonathan can act quickly to stop the detour to anarchy in Nigerian football nay sports.
“It’s not time for the blame game but we must insist on due international process and the need to give all qualified candidates free opportunity to contest the coming NFF polls. Enough is enough of this charade because of pecuniary benefits to some desperadoes”.
Morganti victorious on Para-Equestrian Dressage day two
The form book was turned on its head today, day two of the Round 1 team tests in the Para-Equestrian Dressage competition at this year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA).
In a thrilling conclusion to the Grade Ia team competition, Singapore’s Laurentia Tan pushed ahead of the dominant multi-Paralympic and world gold medallist Sophie Christiansen from Great Britain. That was drama enough, but then Italy’s Sara Morganti, one of the last riders to enter the arena, went one step further, edging out Tan to the top spot and moving Christiansen to third as the test, and the day’s competition, came to an end.
Morganti, riding Royal Delight, scored 75.783% to Tan’s 74.552% on Ruben James 2, and Christiansen’s 74.261% on Janeiro 6.
A nearly overwhelmed Morganti said: “I can’t believe it. It was my dream to come first, but Laurentia and Sophie are such good riders that I didn’t think I could. But I worked very hard and I’m just so, so happy.
“My horse in London 2012 was the youngest horse in the Games and now she is a little bit older and we have worked a lot with my personal trainer and the team trainer. There are a lot of people around a Paralympics rider and I’m very lucky. I thought I would never come first before Sophie. It is because I admire her and Laurentia so much that for me this is so precious.”
Tan was equally excited at having gone into the lead. Speaking after her ride she said: “Just wow. It’s unbelievable, a really good result. It was a very smooth ride and I felt I had a very good connection with Reuben while I was out there. Now though it’s just a case of taking it step by step and seeing what happens each day and taking it one day at a time.”
Christiansen admitted being disappointed by the day’s events but remained philosophical. She said: “I haven’t lost any test since London 2012, so it was obviously going to happen one day, but now I’m even more fired up for the rest of the competition. Today he (Janeiro 6) definitely upped it a gear but I always need to watch my tests before I comment on them. Obviously, for me, I can tell you how it felt, but it’s different from what the judges see. It could have been a little better with consistency but at least I’ve got something to work on for the rest of the week.”
Italy’s Sara Morganti with Royal Delight scored a thrilling top spot at today’s Round 1 Grade Ia team competition at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 (Jon Stroud/FEI)
True to form
First into the arena this morning were the Grade IV riders. The win went to Great Britain’s Sophie Wells, riding Valerius, with 74.595% ahead of her close rival Belgium’s Michèle George, who rode FBW Rainman to score 73.643%. In third place was The Netherlands’ Frank Hosmar on Alphaville N.O.P. with 73.167%.
Wells said of her debut ride at these Games: “I was pleased. He went in and listened to me. It’s his biggest competition so far and he’s not done much this year with one thing or another. He got a little bit tense going around the outside but I reassured him so he came back to me and listened to me through the test. We’ve been working on different areas like the walks and the halt and those things improved and maybe I can build on them.”
Rio chances
The team competition has extra resonance this year as the top three nations secure their team places at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Speaking of Team GB’s chances, Wells added: “We’re hopeful. We’ve got a fair amount of pressure on us, but Lee got 77 yesterday and I just got 74 so that puts us in a good position.”
Belgium’s George comes to these Games as a double London 2012 gold medallist and a runner up from the last Games in Kentucky in 2010. She said: “I am very happy for the first day because I was trying to put my horse safely in the arena and that is what I did, to give him confidence and to discover the arena and how he reacts to the crowd. I am very happy, and I know what to work on. The atmosphere is great, and it was a joy to ride here.”
The Netherlands team has stated publicly that its aim in the team competition is to medal and qualify for Rio. Talking about his ride and part in that effort Hosmar said: “It felt really good. He was really with me, so it was a pity with the last transition but, other than that, I was fairly satisfied. It must get better because I want to win.”
The Grade II team test win went to Great Britain’s reigning Paralympic and European champion, Natasha Baker, on Cabral, with a score of 73.647%. She was ahead of Rixt van der Horst of The Netherlands, who picked up a valuable 72.618% on her horse Uniek, ahead of Canada’s Beijing 2008 Paralympic gold and silver medallist, Lauren Barwick, riding Off to Paris and scoring 70.176%.
Baker said of her test: “He warmed up really well and I was really pleased with him. I probably allowed a little too much warm-up so I knew I was going to have to work hard in the test.
“He went in there and he found energy from nowhere as he normally does going around the outside, but as soon as I went down that centre line I knew that he was totally with me and listening and he was a really good boy. I wanted a good safe test and in two days time I can move up a gear and go for that little bit more.”
Van der Host added of her performance: “I am very pleased about the test. I was very nervous because it is my first international championship but he was relaxed and I was relaxed. In the beginning he was a bit nervous but later in the test he was much better.”
Barwick delighted
And Canada’s Barwick was clearly delighted with her performance. “That was electric!” she enthused. “It was a little bit challenging because the cameras weren’t there when we trained and they are big and black so right when the horse went into the arena there was something new which was a bit of a spook. But she settled for me nicely and came back really well. I always ride for today and train for tomorrow so I think that set her up for the rest of the week. Mostly I ride these two tests to prepare for the freestyle as that’s where we excel.”
The end of the first two days of the Games mark the halfway point of the team competition. Great Britain currently leads with 226.816 points ahead of The Netherlands on 217.838 and Germany on 216.697.
Tomorrow marks the build up to team medals on Thursday, 28 August and the first Rio spots for Para-Equestrian Dressage. Individual medals in Grade III and Grade Ib will be contested tomorrow, followed by Grade IV, Grade II and Grade Ia on Thursday.
The 2014 edition of FINA’s major annual swimming event, the FINA/MASTBANK Swimming World Cup, kicked off today, August 27, at Doha’s magnificent Hamad Aquatic Centre, Qatar. The big names of the international swimming elite will gather to compete in seven meets for a short-course high-level contest taking place in some of the world’s most thrilling cities.
With the upcoming 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) to be held on December 3-7 in Doha, the FINA/MASTBANK Swimming World Cup is the best opportunity for up-and-coming swimming stars from all over the world, including 2013 World Cup winners Chad Le Clos (RSA) and Katinka Hosszu (HUN, pictured above with Tunisia’s Oussama Mellouli), to race their closest challengers and produce eye-opening performances.
A total 36 swimming events make the competition programme (17 in women’s and men’s category, plus two mixed relay events).
The seven-meet FINA/MASTBANK Swimming World Cup 2014 calendar is as follows:
Cluster 1
August 27-28: Doha (QAT)
August 31-September 1: Dubai (UAE)
Cluster 2
September 29-30: Hong Kong (HKG)
October 4-5: Moscow (RUS)
Cluster 3
October 24-25: Beijing (CHN)
October 28-29: Tokyo (JPN)
November 1-2: Singapore (SIN)
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