Gambian Coach Reacts to All Africa Games Draws

Gambia men’s volleyball team are handed a tough task in their first ever appearance in the men indoor 2015 All Africa Games. The Gambia are up against five-time champions Egypt, while they are also up against 2011 host Mozambique and the 2015 hosts Congo Brazzaville, the other opponents will be Botswana and Nigeria in pool A of the 11th edition of All Africa Games 2015 in Congo Brazzaville. Gambia claimed silver in Zone 2 qualifiers in Cape Verde from a pool that comprises of Senegal, Mali, Mauritania and Sierra Leone.

Gambia would surely be the dark horses in the pool and will be looking for their first continental silverware. The enthusiasm of the Gambian team emerged from the re-energized Gambian national federation that recently changed leadership. Gambia ranked 2nd in Zone II has recently organized two coaching courses level I and level II to enhance the capabilities of the technicians and that has proved productive in the country’s recent exploits in Zone II. The head coach of the Gambian team Ebrima Nyassi reacted to the draw saying they would come all out to cause upsets.

‘’We are going to play against diverse nations with different styles of modern volleyball, so we have to prepare expansively. There is no need to explain that we will be competing against teams from the best volleyball nations in Africa. I am pleased that we will get to know all the renowned style and background of African volleyball. Nyassi said’’ he went on to dismiss Egypt’s dominance in the Games. “we respect Egypt for the fact that they are one of the most decorated team in the Games history but we can create upsets”.

Gambia men’s volleyball team

Senior player Sanu Secka believed that this is an opportunity for Gambia to be known in global volleyball. ‘’We work hard to book qualifications, now we are in Congo and the target is the gold medal’’ the attacker said.

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. The preliminary rounds for the All Africa Games will be played in two groups constituted as follows:

Pool A: 1. Congo Brazzaville 2. Mozambique 3. Egypt 4. Gambia 5. Nigeria 6. Botswana

Pool B: 1. Cameroon 2. Cape Verde 3. Algeria 4. Rwanda 5. Seychelles 6. Ghana

Gambia is also through to the beach volleyball finals and wait for the drawing of lots for the groups.

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muhammed L saidykhan

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Katie Taylor Is Named AIBA Boxer of the Month For June

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has named Ireland’s Katie Taylor as its Boxer of the Month for June.

Taylor is the current Olympic Champion, AIBA Women’s World Champion, EUBC European Women’s Continental Champion, and European Union Champion, and added a gold medal from the Baku 2015 European Games to her glistening trophy cabinet on Saturday night.

AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu said: “I would like to congratulate Katie on becoming the AIBA Athlete of the Month of June, and on her recent gold medal victory in the Baku 2015 European Games. Katie is a true ambassador of women’s boxing and with this award she now sits next to the greatest names in boxing. Her performance and sporting excellence play a fundamental part in further development of our sport and I’m looking forward to seeing her participate in the upcoming competitions”.

Taylor’s early career

Katie Taylor was born in 1986, and began boxing in the city of Bray under the tutelage of father Peter, who has continued to coach her throughout her career.

2004 represented Taylor’s breakthrough year at international events, as she won both the Norway Box Cup and the Italian International Tournament.

Her first major success came at the European Women’s Continental Championships in 2005, where she defeated strong boxers including Turkey’s Gulsum Tatar and Finland’s Eva Wahlstroem.

Since then, she has defended her European title a further five times.

AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships supremacy

Taylor took part in the 2005 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships as a nineteen-year-old, and reached the second round.

The Irish boxer secured her first gold medal in the world class event in 2006, and she also made her debut for Ireland’s international senior women’s football team that same year.

A further four World Championships gold medals have been awarded to Taylor since 2006, most recently in 2014 when she excelled in Jeju.

London 2012 Olympic gold

Taylor arrived to the London 2012 Olympic Games as the top favourite of the Women’s Lightweight class (60 kg), and carried the flag of her proud nation in the opening ceremony.

World class rivals in Natasha Jonas, Mavzuna Chorieva and Russia’s Sofya Ochigava all attempted to defeat the Irish sensation, but Taylor lived up to her reputation with three outstanding victories to secure gold in the event.

Her success was Ireland’s sole gold medal in any sport at London 2012.

Katie Taylor in the Baku 2015 European Games

Katie Taylor was hungry for even more success in the Baku 2015 European Games, especially as she was named an ambassador for the event.

She first had to meet Bulgarian veteran Denitsa Eliseeva, who was the last boxer to defeat Taylor more than four years ago, but this time the Irish icon competed at a completely different level, and won with aplomb.

After a second victory over Sweden’s talented Ida Lundblad, Taylor then met with Azerbaijan’s Yana Alekseevna in the semi-final.

The two boxers produced one of the greatest bouts of the Games, and despite being tested more than she had by anybody since her undefeated streak began, Taylor secured a narrow, yet deserved victory.

France’s Estelle Mossely was her opponent in the final, and this time a more confident and composed Taylor dominated proceedings to claim her 18th title at a major event.

Taylor’s gold medal was presented to her by compatriot Patrick Hickey, who is the President of both the Olympic Council of Ireland, and the European Olympic Committees (EOC), and the member of the IOC Executive Board.

Regarding Taylor’s accomplishments, he said: “I would like to congratulate Katie on becoming the AIBA Boxer of the Month, and to thank the International Boxing Association on ensuring the further development of women’s boxing. Boxing is one of the key sports in Europe and we witnessed some really high quality performances in Baku 2015 European Games. I am looking forward to seeing Katie become one of the greatest boxers in the history of this sport”.

Katie Taylor (IRL) AIBA boxer of the month

Taylor speaks

“My main goal is to defend my Olympic title and I think every competition is getting tougher. Because I am the Champion, my opponents always want to raise their game against me, so I have to continue to improve. I do get hungrier for medals, and it is great to add this European Games gold to my list.

“There are a lot of fighters coming up that want to take my place, and I think some people at home think I just stroll through these competitions, but every fight is a hard battle and not so easy to win.

“I just have a great team of people behind me, and my family too. My mother was here in Baku, she was praying for me in the stadium which strengthens me. I think when you are so consistent, you have stand up and take notice.

“I have said before I do not think people recognize the consistency enough. Sonia O’Sullivan has always been my hero and I still rate her as the greatest Irish athlete, and I want to go down in the history books as the greatest woman boxer of all time,” said Taylor after the Baku 2015 European Games.

Senegal’s Fatou Signs A Two Year Deal With Azerbaijan Volleyball Club

Senegalese Volleyball Star, Fatou Diouck signed a two year deal with a top Azerbaijan club, Azerrail that will see her play at the European Champion League 2015/2016.

Fatou Diouck was a member of Finnish Polkky Kuusamo. Before joining league in Finland, she played for Quimper Volley 29 (France). Azerrail will represent Azerbaijan in the CEV Champions league 2015/2016.

Fatou who was voted the Best Attacker at the just concluded 2015 Africa Nations Championship about a fortnight ago in Nairobi, Kenya switched base form Thailand’s Nokhornnont 3BB to Azerrail for undisclosed fee.

Fatou Diouck

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NRFF Takes Positives From Cup 1C Campaign

Black Stallions In Action at the Rugby Africa Cup 1C

The President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Sir Edward Fom Pam has refused to be depressed over the non-qualification of the senior national team to the Africa Rugby division 1B after Zambia defeated Zimbabwe by 19 points to 12 in the promotion decider on Saturday.

The Black Stallions narrowly missed out on promotion after losing to the home team by 15 to 8points in their first match before defeating 3rd ranked rugby playing nation in Africa, Zimbabwe by 34points to 23 to brighten their chances which was later dimmed by Zambia.

Black Stallions at the Rugby Africa Cup 1C

The president acknowledged that the team boxed itself into a very tight corner after unexpectedly losing to Zambia which bookmakers thought was going to be an easy ride on their way to gaining promotion, hence excuses are not warranted because the team had their chances.

Fom Pam noted that the tournament provided the technical committee of the federation a clear insight as to what the senior national team will look like based on the performances of the team at the competition after about 2 years of trying to gather together a team that can hold its own against any country in the world.

Fabian Juries, Black Stallions Coach

He thanked CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Limited for being there for the National team as always as they were solely responsible for the 1 week camping exercise in Zambia before the tournament which went a long way in helping the Fabian Juries led team to record a decent result.

He called on well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organizations to key into the vision of the NRFF by partnering with the federation through sponsorship of the national teams, grassroots and national competitions which will help in exposing the hidden talents scattered all over the country.

Black Stallions In Action at the Rugby Africa Cup 1C

photo credit: Nigeria Rugby Football Federation

Ito & Hirano’s Record Recognized By Guinness World Records

Mima ITO and Miu HIRANO’s record breaking women’s doubles win at the GAC Group 2014 World Tour German Open has been officially recognized by the Guinness World Records.

ITO and HIRANO became the youngest ever winner of an ITTF World Tour event, when they became the women’s doubles champions in Magdeburg, Germany, when they were just 13 years old, with a combined age of 27 years and 145 days.

The talented duo received plaques commemorating their achievements in a special ceremony organized by Guinness World Records during the GAC Group 2015 World Tour Japan in Kobe, Japan.

During the ceremony a Guinness World Records representative stated: “This record is very special, due to the immense talent of these two girls. Today is a bright day celebrating this exceptional record, which I am sure will not be broken for a long time.”

The now 14 years old celebrate their official record with a selfie in Kobe!

ITO, who has now ranked 9th in the world at just 14 years of age, stated: “I am very grateful to everyone who helped me break this record. The day we won in Germany was very emotional and a day that I will never forget.”

ITO is used to breaking records, with the Japanese superstar already becoming the youngest ever winner of an ITTF Junior event at 10 years of age, the same age that she won a match at the Senior Japan National Championships, which has never been done before.

HIRANO, who also has a bright future ahead of her added: “I am so proud of this record. I will continue practicing hard, so I can be the best table tennis player that I can, and create more history for Japan.”

Both players are now heading to the GAC Group 2015 World Tour Super Korea Open being held in Incheon, where they will hope to add more titles to their ever growing collection.

ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2015 GIVES ECONOMIC BOOST TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, hosted by Australia and New Zealand during February and March this year, was one the biggest events in the history of both countries and provided a significant positive boost to the local economies.

• More than AU$1.1 BILLION in direct spending in Australia and New Zealand
• Cricket World Cup generated 2 million bed nights
• ICC Chief Executive Officer says popularity of game never stronger

The findings of an economic impact and benefits analysis carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers show that the tournament generated more than $AU 1.1 billion in direct spending, created the equivalent of 8,320 full time jobs, and had a total of 2 million bed nights across the two countries.

Attendance at tournament matches was 1,016,420, with 295,000 international and interstate/inter-regional visitors to Host Cities.

Of these, there were 145,000 international visitors to Australia and New Zealand for the Tournament providing a huge boost to tourism, with the largest number of overseas visitors coming from Asia.

The tournament was watched by more than 1.5 billion people worldwide.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said the outstanding success and popularity of the tournament proved that cricket was not only popular across both countries but a significant contributor to the local economies.

“The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 was the most popular ever played,” Mr Richardson said.

“The venues were world class, the Host Cities were world class and the two countries delivered a world class tournament which was watched by more people around the world than ever before.”

Australian Sports Minister Sussan Ley said the Australian and New Zealand Governments had worked closely with the World Cup organisers to ensure the greatest spectacle for sports fans while also maximising the trade and tourism opportunities created by the tournament.

“While fierce rivals on the field Australia and New Zealand have a proud tradition of working together to deliver world-class sporting events,” Ms Ley said.

“The Cricket World Cup has been an outstanding success across all measures which is highlighted by the contribution it has made to the economies of both countries through trade and tourism as well as the unique benefits of sport diplomacy with key partners and markets around the world.”

ICC Cricket world Cup Spectators, photo credit Dhammika Heenpella
https://www.flickr.com/photos/photosofsrilanka/5500537562/in/photolist-9o4Gbw-9k62ML-9o1wck-a9oZFN-9o4uf1-9kc1CN-9pcZqt-9smVbn-a9maxa-9kc7hf-9k2Hez-9k91Nt-9k94wg-9kc9Ss-9kc6NW-9kcawY-a9oZys-a9oZey-a9mbgn-9vqHwm-9vn4X9-99RzzT-a9p1fU-a9mbHZ-a9p153-a9maVc-a9maHr-9k96GZ-9k8ZTZ-9k8Z2g-9k8ZqT-9kcbe3-ESUkr-9k98aX-9kc3oj-9oaEt2-9reU2b-9reUQw-9rbXa8-9p3BeU-9pgBB5-6tHdKb-9pgJ9f-9rbX5v-9rbWwz-6woM6f-9trw34-9oZyG6-9k9LsR-9k9LGB

Cricket World Cup 2015 Ltd Chief Executive Officer John Harnden, said the $1.1 billion in direct spending converted into an increase in gross domestic product of $AU460 million across the two countries.

“This was the biggest event in Australia since the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and it has changed cricket in New Zealand forever,” Mr Harnden said.

“The Cricket World Cup generated two million bed nights across the two countries and around $855 million was spent by visitors while here for the tournament which is great for the tourism industries of both countries.

“The Australian and New Zealand Governments were great supporters of the event. The introduction of a single visa for the Cricket World Cup was a significant initiative which made it easier for international guests to visit New Zealand and Australia. Most importantly, both countries provided a safe, warm and welcoming experience for all fans from around the world and provided them with an experience they would not forget.

“When you consider the TV audience of over 1.5 billion, saturation of coverage across all digital platforms and the mainstream media coverage of the event across the 14 Host Cities, the Cricket World Cup has not only showcased the best of Australia and New Zealand but has enhanced the tournament’s reputation as a major global driver for economic and community benefit.”