Barely four days after winning another mandate to oversee the affairs of the Football’s governing body, the new reelected Administrator has decided to let go of his mandate for the love of the game.
Blatter in his statement released a few hours ago said “While I have a mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football – the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at FIFA”
he further went on to state that while he would continue in his role as FIFA President He would continue to champion the course for the restructuring on FIFA.
One major change Blatter is pushing for is the reduction of the members of the executive council who Blatter claims “includes representatives of confederations over whom we have no control, but for whose actions FIFA is held responsible”
The FIFA President also wants elections and integrity checks into the FIFA Executive Committee to be organised centrally instead of it being handled by the confederations.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter at the Footbal for Hope Festival
photo credit: GovernmentZA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/legalcodeBut perhaps the most talked about aspect of the FIFA leadership for So many years is the way FIFA Presidents have virtually perpetuated themselves in office. And Strangely Blatter who is a beneficiary of this system says he wants “term limits not only for the president but for all members of the Executive Committee”
Blatter went on to say that “I have fought for these changes before and, as everyone knows, my efforts have been blocked. This time, I will succeed”
The FIFA President has asked Domenico Scala who is the Independent Chairman of FIFA’s Audit and Compliance to oversee the introduction and implementation of these and other reforms. Mr. Scala is also the Chairman of the ad hoc Electoral Committee which means he would also oversee the election of a successor for the Outgoing FIFA President.
A lot of football enthusiast and stakeholders are wondering why Mr Blatter went ahead to contest an election amidst global outrage after several key members of the football governing body were alleged to have been involved in fraudulent practices surrounding the selection of host nations for FIFA’s hottest property the FIFA World Cup.
Although Mr Blatter maintains his innocence, only time will tell if he would also survive this “FIFA TSUNAMI” OR #FIFAGate
The eyes of the sailing world will be back on Weymouth and Portland with Olympic medallists returning to the venue of the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition for ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland.
Weymouth and Portland, the fourth of six ISAF Sailing World Cup regattas in 2015, will welcome sailors across ten Olympic and three Paralympic events in Great Britain from 8-14 June 2015.
ISAF Sailing World Cup glory, a share of the €78,000 prize fund and Abu Dhabi final spots are on offer with racing commencing on 10 June culminating in the live Medal Races on Sunday 14 June.
The world’s top 30 sailors from the 27 April 2015 ISAF World Sailing Rankings release were invited to Weymouth and Portland with the remaining receiving their spot at the qualification event, the Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik, the Netherlands.
The Laser Radial – ISAF
Laser
Pavlos Kontides (CYP) made history at the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition by becoming the first athlete from Cyprus to claim an Olympic medal. With gold medallist Tom Slingsby (AUS) concentrating on the America’s Cup and Rasmus Myrgren (SWE) stepping away from the boat, Kontides is the only returning Olympic Laser medallist in Weymouth and Portland.
“The best sporting moments of my life are obviously from Weymouth,” explained a nostalgic Cypriot. “Scoring two bullets on the second day of the Olympics, holding the yellow jersey mid-way through and finally, glory for myself, my family, my team and my country’s first ever Olympic medal.
“[Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland] is a perfect opportunity for me to visit the same place where it all happened. It will just always feel special to me and a strong bond will exist due to the memories.
“Of course I do remember a lot of rainy days as well during my preparation there,” he said with a winking face on his email response.
Kontides will form part of an exceptional fleet of 40 strong Laser sailors in Weymouth and Portland. The 40-boat invitational fleets were introduced at World Cup Hyères and proved an immediate hit as Kontides explained, “This type of racing is challenging and exciting with no mistakes allowed.
“The start and opening of the race are even more important as recovery opportunities are less frequent due to the high level of the fleet and evenness in speed. Consistency is always key for a good result.
“Competition will definitely be tough and together with the conditions Weymouth is known for, hiking, strong changing current and a big swell will provide the sailors with fascinating racing.”
The Laser is one of the most hotly contested Olympic fleets at the moment with a number of competitors consistently fighting for top honours. But what does it take to succeed? “Sailing is a sport which depends on many different parameters,” explained Kontides. “Consistency is a must for success as you have to perform well in all kinds of conditions.
“In doing so you have to start good, sail fast and smart with low risk and finish every race as best as possible. You can always win a regatta without even winning an individual race.”
Matt Wearm (AUS) recently won the Delta Lloyd Regatta by taking just a single race win from nine races. Consistency is certainly king in the Laser and Wearn comes into Weymouth and Portland eager to continue his good form, “The win in Medemblik has prepared me well for Weymouth. It gives me a great deal of confidence that I have the ability to be on the top of the podium.
“It was also great to be so consistent in the tricky conditions against some tough opponents.
“The Laser fleet as always is extremely competitive. It feels that you can go to any event around the world and you can expect to be racing the world’s best. The depth in the fleet is incredible to that anyone from the top 20 in the world has the ability to win regattas.
“I feel Weymouth will be no exception to this and that it’s going to be another incredibly tight regatta between the top few guys in the world. It is definitely now becoming the time where everyone wants to assert their dominance going in to the last year before the [Olympic] Games.”
World #1 Tom Burton (AUS) heads into Weymouth in good form having won World Cup Hyères whilst Tonci Stipanovic (CRO), Nick Thompson (GBR) and Philipp Buhl (GER) will all make the journey to Weymouth and Portland well prepared.
ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami, Laser—Herman-Tomasgaard
Laser Radial
The Laser Radial Medal Race at London 2012 saw a four way shoot out for the medals between Lijia Xu (CHN), Marit Bouwmeester (NED), Evi Van Acker (BEL) and Annalise Murphy (IRL).
Xu went on to win gold and has since stepped away from the Laser Radial. Meanwhile silver medallist Bouwmeester, bronze medallist Van Acker and the fourth place Murphy all return to the waters for ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland.
“I have fond memories of Weymouth. [It was] a dream come true to become an Olympian in 2012,” commented Bouwmeester. “It will be my first time back in the UK since 2012. I am very excited and looking forward to the nice waves in the bay.”
Van Acker is also of a similar mind set in advance of competition, “I have great memories of Weymouth. The conditions during the Olympics were fantastic with good winds and sunshine every day. I’m looking very much forward going back to the Olympic venue.
“Winning an Olympic medal was something truly exceptional. My team and I worked so hard for it. My friends and family were cheering for us on the mountain [the Nothe]. It was a dream come true, although I still feel like I could have done better.”
The level of the competition at the ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta has the potential to be higher than the Olympic Sailing Competition with multiple entrants per nation possible. The qualification system ensures the best of the best are in the 40 boat fleet, something Bouwmeester enjoys, “In my opinion this concept is the way forward.
“It’s nice to have the big fleet qualifying events and then the high level World Cup events. It’s nice to race with all the good girls in one fleet, just like the Olympics.”
Van Acker added, “Racing in a 40 boat fleet in Hyères was definitely exciting. It’s different in many ways, but good fun and good practice for the Olympics. Pressure is on from day one without a qualifying series and with only the top sailors competing.
“I expect fierce competition in Weymouth. The Laser Radial is a very competitive class and there is always a good battle going on between the girls. We are coming closer to the test event in Rio, many national trials are going on so everyone wants to perform at their best.”
Ireland’s Murphy missed out on an Olympic medal by just four points over the third placed Van Acker but looks back fondly on the venue, “I have a lot of great memories from Weymouth as I first competed there in the ISAF Youth Worlds in 2006. I like coming to Weymouth as it is so close to home for me and because I have spent so much time there everything is very familiar.”
Murphy, like Bouwmeester and Van Acker, also pointed out the positives of the elite level competition, “It was really exciting racing with the top 40 boats in Hyères and it brings in a whole new dynamic to Olympic racing. If you make a small mistake you’re most likely going to get punished for it as everyone is so close.
“I think you have to work extremely hard to succeed in the Laser Radial right now, everyone is extremely professional and if you’re not giving it 100% it is very easy to get left behind.”
Belgium’s Van Acker will be the one to beat in Weymouth and Portland. Over the last 15 months she has finished on the podium at every ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta she’s competed at, winning gold at the 2014 and 2015 Hyères editions and the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final.
Aiming to halt her run, alongside Murphy and Bouwmeester, will be Hyères bronze medallist Josefin Olsson (SWE), World #1 Alison Young (GBR) and World #3 Anne-Marie Rindom (DEN).
Host nation favourites Nick Dempsey (GBR) and Bryony Shaw (GBR) will be leading contenders in the Men’s and Women’s RS:X.
Shaw, the current World #1 in the Women’s RS:X, took gold at ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami at the turn of the year following victory at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final in Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2014. A seventh followed at World Cup Hyères but she’ll be out to make amends on her home waters.
Joining Shaw in the fleet will be former World #1 Flavia Tartaglini (ITA) and British rival Isobel Hamilton (GBR).
In the Men’s RS:X, Dempsey will be the spearhead and the man to beat. Dempsey took silver on Weymouth and Portland’s waters at London 2012 and knows the surroundings better than most. He will be joined by a strong pack of Men’s RS:X racers that includes Brazil’s Ricardo Santos, China’s Aichen Wang and Hong Kong’s Michael Cheng.
A high level of competition is also on the cards for the Nacra 17, Men’s and Women’s 470, 49er, 49erFX, Finn and Paralympic events. A further preview will follow on Wednesday 3 June.
Racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland commences on Wednesday 10 June. Medal Races on Sunday 14 June will bring the regatta to a close.
Twelve teams confirmed their tickets to the volleyball tournament in each gender at the 2015 All Africa Games “AAG” in Congo Brazzaville September 4 to 19, 2015 after the zonal qualifiers concluded in all the continental 7 zones.
In the Men’s side Algeria (Zone 1), Cape Verde, Gambia (Zone 2), Nigeria, Ghana (Zone 3), Cameroon, Hosts Congo Brazzaville (Zone 4), Rwanda, Egypt (Zone 5), Mozambique, Botswana (Zone 6), Seychelles (Zone 7) confirmed their tickets to the supreme Africa event.
All Africa Games will be hosted by Congo Brazzaville September 4 to 19, 2015 where the 12 teams of each category will be divided into 2 preliminary pools, each playing a round robin and the top 2 teams qualify to the semifinal. The winner of Pool A meets the second of Pool B and the winner of Pool B faces the second of Pool A in the semis where the winners qualify to the final and the losers play for the bronze medal.
Mozambique
All Africa Games qualifiers
Zones
Qualifiers
Men Women
Zone 1 Algeria Algeria
Zone 2 Cape Verde Gambia
Senegal Cape Verde
Zone 3 Nigeria
Ghana Nigeria
Ghana
Zone 4 Cameroon
Congo Brazzaville (Organizer) Cameroon
Congo Brazzaville (Organizer)
The 3 month secondary schools basketball season is winding down with the national finals of the Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship which began, Tuesday, at the Indoor Sports hall of the National Stadium in Lagos.
Niger State representatives in the girls’ category, Government Girls Secondary School Bida, Niger State overpowered Government Girls Secondary School Numan, Adamawa State. It was a balanced game until the last quarter when the Niger state girls broke away to take the game at 26 points to 16.
In the second game in the girls’ category, Idia College, Benin-City Edo State came from behind in the last quarter to beat the Western Conference champions, Yejide Grammar School of Ibadan, Oyo State by 19-17.
Speaking after the match, Philip Ojo Head Coach of Idia College said that their style of play gave them the edge over their opponents.
Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship.
According to him, “our very fast style of play makes us almost invincible to our opponents. We have a strong team. Hard work is also key to our success. So far, we are confident of achieving our aim, which is to emerge winners at the end of the championship.”
Meanwhile, Yejide girls forward Busayo Matthew said, her side lost to Edo because they could not cope with fast pace but boasted that they will surely bounce back from the defeat because it was an eye-opener.
In the boys category, St. Peter College Idah, Kogi State picked a valuable 45-43 points victory over Government Secondary School Barnawa, Kaduna State while Ilupeju Grammar School defeated St.Josephs College Nyimah, Benue state by 32-25 points
“I have had a marvelous 25-year career during which I worked with some of the best umpires and match referees,” says Davis
Steve Davis of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires today announced that he will retire from international umpiring at the end of the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series between England and New Zealand, which concludes at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, on Saturday, 20 June.
63-year-old Davis was selected for the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires in 2002, before he was promoted to the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires in 2008. To date, Davis has umpired in 57 Tests, 135 ODIs and 26 T20Is.
Davis made his first-class umpiring debut in 1990-91 and umpired in his first ODI in 1992 when he officiated an ODI between Pakistan and the West Indies in Adelaide. His first Test appointment was five years later in Hobart when he stood in the match between Australia and New Zealand.
During his illustrious career, Davis has umpired in the 2007, 2011 and 2015 ICC Cricket World Cups, 2009 and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy tournaments as well as all five ICC World Twenty20 events.
steve davis cricket umpire photo credit icc.com
Announcing his decision, Davis said: “It has been a difficult but considered decision. I have had a marvelous 25-year career during which I worked with some of the best umpires and match referees.
“I have made many lasting friendships all around the world, both on and off the field, which I will treasure forever.
“I also take this opportunity to thank Cricket Australia and the ICC for their support and the opportunities they have given me. And as much as anyone, I thank my wife Annie and our families for their encouragement and support over the years.”
ICC General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice, paid tribute to Davis when he said: “Steve will finish international cricket on a high, leaving the game with the respect of not only his umpiring colleagues, but of the match referees and players as well.
“He was one of the best match managers on the field, and a great team man for umpires and referees to work alongside. He has also been the leader of the elite umpires over recent years, and his calming influence will be hard to replace.”
Vince Van Der Bijl, Senior Umpires and Referees Manager, congratulated Davis on a successful career. He said: “The Elite Panel had been fortunate to have a person of Steve’s calibre and stature involved with the group for the last seven years.
“Through his leadership and commitment, Steve has had an immense influence on the umpiring community, which will be fondly remembered by all those who have worked with him during his long and distinguished umpiring career.
“On behalf of the ICC, I thank Steve for his significant contribution to the game.”
Davis’ replacement on the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires will be announced in due course.
The Authority never forgets neither do they forgive. After Roman Reigns helped Dean Ambrose escaped with Seth Rollins WWE World Heavyweight title belt on Sunday at Elimination Chamber, Reigns was always going to be on the wrong end of the Authority’s generosity particularly as Ambrose was nowhere to be found.
And so it was on RAW that Reigns was forced to battle three powerful opponents of the Authority’s choosing if he hopes to keep his Money in the Bank match opportunity alive.
King Barrett, Mark Henry and Bray Wyatt all fell to the power of Reigns but things nearly got bad for the 2015 Royal Rumble winner after he was nearly mugged in a four on one beat down by the Authority.
However, Ambrose returned just in time to save his former Shield colleague and both of them escaped through the audience with the WWE title much to the irritation of Triple H.
It’s Sixty seven days to the Kick-off of the English Premiership and all the clubs in England and all across Europe are busy in the transfer market. here are some of the hot transfer gist and rumours making the rounds at the moment.
Real Madrid Midfielder Isco as been linked with a Summer move to Former BPL Champions Manchester City.
Meanwhile Manchester City’s top striker Sergio Kun Aguero is being rumoured as a target for Spanish Giants Real Madrid.
James Milner lookms set to Sign the dotted lines for Liverpool sometime this week, it is believed the England International would chose Liverpool over Arsenal.
Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko has claimed that Chelsea Boss Jose Mourinho is tracking his progress and he would be open to a move if approached.
Jordi Alba is reportedly set to extend his Barcelona contract till 2020
Napoli Striker is believed to been keen on a move away from Italy And Arsenal Fc and Man United are believe to be interested.
New Real Madrid Coach Rafa Benitez will be unveiled on Wednesday at the Bernabéu.
Dynamo Moscow are believed to be interested in the signing of Free Agent André Pierre Gignac.
Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette has said he would be open to a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona even after top club officials announced that the player was not for sale.
Felipe Melo has denied rumours of any contact with Inter the Galatasaray midfielder has quashed all talk of a potential move to the Italian Club.
Borussia Dortmund’s Former coach Jürgen Klopp has once again confirmed that he would be taking a break from football for an unspecified period
Hugo Lloris as admitted that he’s thinking about his future, the french Goalkeeper has been linked with a move to Manchester United who might loose their number one Goalkeeper David de Gea to Real Madrid.
Louis van Gaal is confident that he would capture the signature of former Barcelona full-back Dani Alves
The sixth ISSF World Cup Stage of the season was held in Munich, Germany, from the 27th of May through the 1st of June.
The season’s sixth ISSF World Cup stage just closed in Munich, Germany, where a record-breaking number of 901 participating athletes coming from 87 countries competed in the 10 Olympic Rifle and Pistol events from the 27th of May through the 1st of June.
Gaining three gold medals, the People’s Republic of China came atop the competition’s medal standings – Zhu Qinan, Zhang Jingjing, and Yi Siling were the athletes who contributed to their country’s success
Germany took the competition’s last gold medal, as Andre Link won today’s Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions final against Yang Haoran of China. Link (458.7 points) held on to first place and closed with a 1.7-point lead on Yang, 19, who set a Final Junior World Record (457.0 points). The 20-year-old Link also won an Olympic quota, and so did Alexis Raynaud of France.
Gold medalist Andre LINK of Germany competes in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men Finals at the Olympic Shooting Range Munich/Hochbrueck during Day 5 of the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol on June 1, 2015 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by ISSF Photographers)
Earlier today, Antoaneta Boneva of Belarus won the Women’s 10m Air Pistol as she beat Serbia’s Bobana Velickovic with a 2.4-point lead. Boneva (200.6 points) had won a gold medal just two weeks ago at the Fort Benning World Cup. USA’s Lydia Paterson, Serbia’s Bobana Velickovic, and China’s Guo Wenjun took Olympic quota places for this event.
The competition had started last Thursday, May 28th, when China’s Zhu Qinan, a two-time Olympic Medalist, won the Men’s 10m Air Rifle gold, the season’s second World Cup medal for Zhu, who had won bronze last April in Changwon, Korea. The Chinese athlete (206.0 points) closed on a mere 0.3 points ahead of Russia’s Vladimir Maslennikov, the silver medallist. As Zhu already had one, Olympic quotas went to Ukraine, India, and Serbia, thanks, respectively, to Oleh Tsarkov (whose 184.2 points earned him a bronze medal), Abhinav Bindra (6th, 122.4 points), and Stevan Pletikosic (7th, 99.1 points).
Later on the same day, another Chinese athlete won the women’s event. China’s Yi Siling (209.8 points), a London 2012 Olympic Gold medallist, came in first in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle final with a 2.5 point lead on Croatia’s Valentina Gustin. Chen Dongqi, Yi’s teammate, came in third. Silver medallist Gustin also gained one of the three Olympic quotas for this event; the rest went to Austria’s Olivia Hofmann (5th, 143.7 points), and Germany’s Nina Laura Kreutzer (6th, 121.3 points).
Gaining the first of two gold medals in the competition – after eight years without winning one – Joao Costa came atop the Men’s 50m Pistol podium on the 29th of May. Costa (194.7 points) beat China’s Zhang Bowen, the silver medalist, and won the first World Cup gold after he had last got one in Munich in 2007. Two days later, Costa went on to win the Men’s 10m Air Pistol too. Tomoyuki Matsuda, the bronze medallist, came away with an Olympic quota for Japan. Italy’s Giuseppe Giordano (5th, 129.9 points) also gained a ticket to Rio.
Gold medalist Jingjing ZHANG of the Peoples Republic of China competes in the 25m Pistol Women Finals at the Olympic Shooting Range Munich/Hochbrueck during Day 2 of the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol on May 29, 2015 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by ISSF Photographers)
The same day, China’s Zhang Jingjing, the reigning World Champion, gave her country the third gold in two competition days as she won the Women’s 25m Pistol. Zhang made the final with a score of 19, and eventually beat Tanyaporn Prucksakorn in the gold medal match (7 to 1 hits). Prucksakorn of Thailand, and bronze medalist Yuliya Alipova of Russia won Olympic quotas for their countries.
On the 30th of May, the World Cup Stage continued with Michael Mcphail of the USA winning his second consecutive gold of the season at the Men’s 50m Rifle Prone. Mcphail (209.1 points) beat France’s Cyrll Graff and came in first, after he had already won the same event at the previous World Cup stage in Fort Benning. Vitali Bubnovich of Belarus took bronze. Silver medalist Graff and Stefan Raser (4th, 166.6 points) won Olympic quotas for France and Austria.
Day-3 also saw Christian Reitz of host country Germany winning the Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol as he beat USA’s Keith Sanderson. Reitz (32 hits) close in first with a 6-hit lead on Sanderson, the silver medalist, and 10 hits more than Russia’s Alexei Klimov, who came in third.
Sanderson and Klimov took the event’s two Olympic quotas.
Germany gained another gold in the next event, yesterday, May 31st, as Barbara Engleder easily won the women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions. Engleder (461.5 points) held a 6.5-point lead on runner up Yoo Seo Young of Korea. China’s Yi Siling won her competition’s second medal as came in third.Yoo of the Republic of Korea, and Ukraine’s Natallia Kalnysh gained Olympic quotas for their countries.
Portugal’s Joao Costa came back atop of the ISSF podium the same day, as he took over the Men’s 10m Air Pistol. Costa (201.4 points) beat Japan’s Tomoyuki Matsuda, the silver medallist, after he had claimed the gold in the men’s 50m Pistol just two days earlier. China’s Sun Yang, the bronze medallist, also gained an Olympic quota for his country. So did India’s Gurpreet Singh (4th, 154.8 points), and Lee Daemyung of the Republic of Korea (5th, 136.0 points).
(L-R) Pavla SCHORNA, Judith WAGNER and Kerstin SCHMIDT in the ISSF Target Sprint at the Olympic Shooting Range Munich/Hochbrueck during Day 4 of the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol on May 31, 2015 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by ISSF Photographers)
During Day-4 of the ISSF World Cup in Munich, the ISSF Target Sprint – an event that combines shooting and running – was conducted. Germany’s Judith Wagner won the Women’s event for the third year in a row. Wagner crossed the finish line in 0:05:49,3. Pavla Schorna of the Czech Republic, the silver medalist, closed on 0:06:00,1. Bronze medalist Kerstin Schmidt of Germany completed the event in 0:06:13,9. Another German athlete, Michael Herr, won the Men’s event. Herr beat Marian Valek of the Czech Republic as he closed on closed on 0:05:13,7 – the day’s best time. Silver medallist Valek followed Herr on a time of 0:05:21,3. Germany’s Tino Hopfe took the bronze (0:05:27,4).
The ISSF World Cup Series will now move on to Gabala, Azerbaijan, after a two-month stop. The next ISSF World Cup Stage – in Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun events – will indeed take place there from between the 6th and the 16th of August.
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Lagos chapter, has congratulated His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on his assumption of office as the Executive Governor of Lagos State and, by extension, the Grand Patron of Lagos SWAN.
A statement released by its Secretary, Emma Njoku, quoted the chairman of the association, Fred Edoreh, as expressing confidence that Governor Ambode will deliver on his campaign promises to ensure that Lagos remains the Centre of Excellence.
“On behalf of the executive committee and entire members of the Lagos SWAN, I wish to congratulate His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on his assumption of office as the Executive Governor of Lagos State. I am absolutely confident that he will not only sustain the achievements of the past leadership but even surpass them and that Lagos State will attain greater heights under his watch. I am very optimistic that he will deliver on his campaign promises to make Lagos State continually comfortable, safe and enjoyable for all Lagosians,” the statement read.
Akinwunmi Ambode Governor Lagos State
Edoreh also called on all Lagosians to support and cooperate with the government in all its policies and programmes, pointing out that “the attainment of a steadily progressive Lagos entails all hands being on deck with a great sense of civic responsibility and patriotism.”
Lagos SWAN also commended the immediate past governor, His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola, for “his record setting achievements and contributions to the state and nation building,” saying he will forever be remembered and appreciated as an innovator and social builder.”
Lagos state Governor; Babatunde Raji Fashola with Cowry RFC Captain Azeez Ladipo
“We will forever remember Governor Fashola in our sports. He was innovative, committed and exemplary and we are particularly grateful to him for his solidarity and immense support for Lagos SWAN and the media industry, and we sincerely wish him well in his future engagements.”
While pledging the total support and partnership of the association with the government for the advancement of sports in the state, Edoreh revealed that Lagos SWAN shall in due course and with consultation with the Governor’s Office organize a special ceremony for the formal investiture of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as its Grand Patron in line with the constitution and tradition of the Sports Writers Association.
The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) is to campaign for Disabled Sailing’s inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and has appointed VERO Communications to advise and support its campaign. The decision to press the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to add Disabled Sailing to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games comes on the back of ISAF formally taking over the management of Disabled Sailing in November 2014, and the integration of the International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) into ISAF.
Carlo Croce, ISAF President said, “Following the merger of IFDS into ISAF at the end of last year, Disabled Sailing is now under new professional management. This is a new era for Disabled Sailing with ISAF now able to fully utilise its technical, financial, promotional and strategic resources to bring significant benefits to Disabled Sailing. For example, we are now working hard to put in place a much enhanced, professional and aligned four year competition programme for Disabled Sailing, as well as generate greater media, broadcast and promotional opportunities for the sport following integration into ISAF’s wider communications planning and activities.
ISAF President Carlo Croce
“These are all new developments since the merger of IFDS into ISAF and it is important that we now effectively communicate this new era for Disabled Sailing to the IPC. I’m delighted that we have the proven expertise of VERO Communications to support us in this cause. Our focus now is to build the case for Disabled Sailing’s inclusion in Tokyo 2020, much of which will be centred around new evidence, as well as stressing some of the unique attributes of Disabled Sailing, including the fact that it is the only sport where athletes with the highest level of disability can compete equally against athletes with other disabilities. I very much hope, upon receipt of this new evidence, that the IPC will look favourably on our case.”
Mike Lee OBE, Chairman of VERO added, “VERO is delighted to support ISAF in their campaign to see Disabled Sailing included in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The sport has a strong story to tell, especially since it was merged into ISAF at the end of 2014, and we look forward to working with the sailing community to ensure that this new era for Disabled Sailing is effectively communicated.”
Ryback finally got his hands on a WWE title after winning the Elimination Chamber Intercontinental title bout on Sunday.
It sounds incredible that the “Big Guy” has failed to get his hands on a belt in WWE since making his debut over two years ago. It was not for lack of opportunity or lack of trying but Ryback has consistently fallen short over the years.
However, the demons of previous attempt at securing WWE gold was finally put to rest after the grappler came out victorious in WWE Elimination Chamber.
Ryback wins title
Ryback, Dolph Ziggler, R-Truth, Mark Henry, Sheamus and King Barrett were involved in the intimidating Elimination Chamber structure and the prize was the Intercontinental title which was left vacant following injury sustained by previous title holder, Daniel Bryan.
The match itself was an exciting event with Superstars trading blows and death defying moves inside one of the most inauspicious structures in professional wrestling. In the end, Ryback stood tall after pinning Sheamus for the win.
newfanzone 