FEI Classics™: Olympic Champion Jung Makes Burghley Debut #FEIClassics

Michael Jung (GER) has won most of the glittering prizes on offer in the sport of Eventing, but the reigning Olympic and European Champion has yet to take on the special challenges of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

Spectators will be treated to the sight of this master horseman tackling the big, bold Cross Country track in the beautiful grounds of Elizabethan Burghley House on his two top horses. Jung is bringing the mare fisherRocana FST, a world team gold and individual silver medallist last year, and old favourite La Biosthetique Sam, his Olympic, world and European champion. The two horses finished first and second at Kentucky (USA) in April, the third leg in the FEI Classics™ series.

Ingrid Klimke (GER), who has established a clear lead in the FEI Classics™, is not entered for Burghley as she is focusing on next week’s Longines FEI European Eventing Championships in Blair Castle (GBR), but Jung, who is currently second in the rankings, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Jonelle Price (NZL), third and fourth respectively, will be jostling for the five money prizes. The three are currently ranked first, second and third in the world.

Fox-Pitt (GBR), a record six-time winner at Burghley, is expected to save his top horse, Bay My Hero, for the British team at Blair Castle the following weekend, but he has an able mount in the form of the relatively inexperienced Fernhill Pimms. Price, also, has only one ride, the experienced Irish Sport Horse The Deputy.

Sir Mark Todd (NZL), currently just outside the money prizes in sixth place in the FEI Classics™, has already won Burghley five times. The great Kiwi horseman has been enjoying a stellar season and must have an excellent chance here on Leonidas ll, fourth at Badminton in May.

An impressive New Zealand entry is completed by Jock Paget on Shady Grey, 10th in the FEI Classics™, and Tim Price, seventh, on Ringwood Sky Boy, but, for the first time for more than 25 years, the nation’s line up will not include Andrew Nicholson. The five-time winner and defending champion, who has won the last three runnings of Burghley on Avebury, is currently recovering from the neck injury sustained in a heavy fall at Gatcombe last month.

Michael Jung (GER), pictured here on La Biosthetique Sam at Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by DHL (GER) in June, has won most of the glittering prizes on offer in the sport of Eventing, but the reigning Olympic and European Champion has yet to take on the special challenges of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Eventing Photo/FEI)

For an even longer Burghley record, one has to return to 1979, when a young Australian, Andrew Hoy, won on the little stock horse, Davey. It took him 25 years to win again, in 2004 on Moonfleet, and for the 2015 edition he pins his hopes on Rutherglen.

The field also includes two more former British winners, Pippa Funnell and Oliver Townend, who could have three rides apiece. Interestingly, for both riders, their best chances may lie with spectacular, long-striding chestnut geldings, Redesigned (Funnell) and Armada (Townend), but neither horse is the easiest in the Jumping phase.

Around 80 horses from eight nations are expected to start at what promises to be as thrilling a Burghley as ever. The full startlist and live results are on http://www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

Eaglets land in Suwon City

Nigeria’s U-17 team, Golden Eaglets, on Monday arrived safely in the city of Suwon for the 2015 Suwon Continental Cup Youth (U-17) Football Tournament holding between September 2 and 6. They will play against three other FIFA U-17 World Cup-bound teams- Brazil, Croatia and host, Korea.

The delegation, led by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board member and Chairman of Nationwide League One, Alhaji Ahmad Kawu departed Lagos 2:50pm aboard Qatar Airways on Sunday and landed at the Hamad International Airport in Doha after a seven-hour flight. They later embarked on another nine-hour non-stop flight by Qatar Airways and landed at the Seoul Incheon International Airport at 3:50 pm local time (7:50am Nigerian time).

Temperature on arrival in Seoul was 28 degree Celsius and the team was welcomed by NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon with members of the local organizing committee of the tournament, before they were driven to Suwon – about two hours from Seoul. They are accommodated at Value Hotel Worldwide in Suwon along with the other three contesting teams.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets have started preparation ahead of their Wednesday’s opener against the Baby Taegu Warriors with about 30 minutes session within the hotel facility to shake off jet lag. “We have not come to admire the city but we have come here to work as world champions because everybody would want to beat us,” Coach Emmanuel Amuneke told the players.”We have to face this challenge and work hard; that is why we are here; so let’s take away the fatigue of the journey first and rest today.”

Golden Eaglets

The team would hold its first training session between 9 and 11 am local time on Tuesday and would face host, Korea on Wednesday.

When the Eaglets take on Croatia in their final match of the Suwon International Tournament on Sunday, at the Suwon Sports Complex, it will be exactly eight years to the day the squad led by Lukman Haruna spanked Germany’s U-17 3-1 to reach the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which Nigeria eventually won by defeating Spain on penalties in 2007.

The reigning world champions have been placed in Group A of this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup finals, against hosts Chile, Croatia and USA.

Nigeria’s contingent to All-Africa Games departs

Nigeria’s 573–man contingent to the 11th All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo departed Nigeria from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday.

At the airport to see the contingent off was the Director General, National Sports Commission, Mallam Alhassan Saleh Yakmut, some federation presidents and NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

The contingent consisted of sportsmen and women in 21 sports, as well as technical and administrative officials, including football players of the Senior Women National team, Super Falcons, and the U-23 National Team.

The Super Falcons will play host team Congo-Brazzaville, Tanzania and Cote d’Ivoire in Group A, while the U-23 boys will take on Ghana and Senegal in the men’s Group B that has been depleted by the withdrawal of Egypt.

Team Nigeria departs for Congo Brazaville

The Dream Team, Olympic champions in 1996, will play their first match of the competition on September 9, against Ghana’s Black Meteors, who won Olympic bronze medal in 1992. Hosts Congo-Brazzaville, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Zambia make up the men’s Group A.

The women’s Group B has Cameroon, South Africa and Ghana, also depleted by the withdrawal of Egypt’s senior women team.

FCT SWAN Salutes D’Tigers

The FCT Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, has congratulated Nigeria senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, for lifting the 2015 AfroBasket trophy and also qualifying for the basketball event of the 2016 Olympic Games.

Chairman of the body, Kayode Adeniyi said all SWAN members in Abuja are full of joy for the D’Tigers and the leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, for emerging as African champions.

“We really rejoice with D’Tigers and the NBBF board for spearheading the team that brought back basketball glory to Nigeria. We congratulate them and the entire basketball family in Nigeria.”

Nigeria beat Angola 74-65 in the Final of AfroBasket 2015 in Rades, Tunisia on Sunday to claim their first-ever continental championship.

In being crowned African champions, Nigeria also qualified for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Meanwhile, second-place Angola joined third and fourth place Tunisia and Senegal in booking their places for the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.

Christian Ogar Is Emerges Best Rugby Player As CowryRFC Win South West Rugby League

Star boy of Nigeria rugby, Christian Ogar was on Saturday voted as the most valuable player and he also emerged as the highest point scorer of the South West Rugby league sponsored by CMB Building and Investment Company at the final day of the league which was held at the main bowl of the National stadium, Lagos.

Christain Ogar of Cowrie on the move

The national team player who plies his trade with Cowrie RFC of Lagos was consistent all through the season as he masterminded his team’s unbeaten run in the 2014/2015 rugby league with 36 tries, 1 try conversion and 3 penalty conversions recording a cumulative of 193 points.

Even though Cowrie RFC won the league before the league finals with accumulated points, the final against police was crucial in their quest to defend their 7 years 15’s unbeating run which was achieved with ease.

At the well-attended final league game sponsored by CMB Building and Inv. Co. Ltd, 3rd placed, Police RFC were awarded the fair play award despite losing to the champions, Cowrie RFC 22-0 in a match which could be described as fast and furious as both teams came out for the maximum points.

Ramon Bakare Police Captain being presented with the Fair play award by the MD CEO of CMB Building Maintenance & Inv Co Ltd Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu

In the game which was characterised with mazy runs, pin point tackles and incisive passes, Sammy Ekpo bagged 2 tries while Dipo Olawale and Christian Ogar registered 1 try each and a conversion by Tunji Oduntan was all that was needed by Cowrie RFC to show their superiority against a very physical Police RFC side.

Meanwhile, in the first game of the day, spectators and invited guests were treated to a display of good game of rugby with both teams putting up a classy display, but the young and less experienced Royal Stallions of Ilorin side lost to Racing RFC 50-0, Racing RFC now claims the second spot on the league table and also a slot in the national playoff as the runners up of the South West Rugby Union League.

Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu the MD/CEO of the league sponsor CMB Building and Ind. Co. Ltd, and the Vice President/Technical Director of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Fasimoye Olatunji were present at the event for the award presentation.

Azeez Ladipo Cowrie Captain being presented with the throphy as champions of the SWL by the MD CEO of CMB Building Maintenance & Inv Co Ltd Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu

FEI European Eventing Championships for Young Riders 2015: DOUBLE-GOLD AND INDIVIDUAL SILVER FOR DOMINANT BRITISH AT STRZEGOM

Great Britain enjoyed a great weekend at the FEI European Eventing Championships for Young Riders 2015 at Strzegom in Poland when claiming the team title along with individual gold and silver. And it was 2014 team silver medallist, Christoph Wahler from Germany, who clinched individual bronze.

A total of 56 horse-and-rider combinations lined out, and 10 nations were represented in the team event in which Germany finished in silver medal spot ahead of the defending champions from Ireland in bronze. It was a gutsy performance from the Germans and Irish who went into today’s final jumping test with only three riders remaining after yesterday’s cross-country test.

Dressage rankings

British individual, Sophie Beaty, led the dressage rankings on a score of 36.30 with Stanly after the first day, but team-member, Will Furlong, overtook her when posting 32.70 with Livingstone on Friday. Constance Lucie Copestake and Aprobanta were awarded a mark of 40.40 by Ground Jury members Christina Klingspor (SWE), James Rooney (IRL) and Slawomir Pietrzak (POL), and this put the French rider into third ahead of Germany’s Flora Reemtsma IIkarosz) in fourth, Britain’s Emily King (Loxley) in fifth and Germany’s Julia Funtman (Contina) and Christoph Wahler (Green Mount Flight) in sixth and seventh places respectively.

Copestake would disappear from the reckoning on cross-country day however, when Funtmann’s 9.6 time penalties saw her plummet to 17th spot.

Cross-country track

A total of 21 of the 56 starters collected fence penalties and eight were eliminated over the 26-fence cross-country track set by Polish course designer, Marcin Konarski. There were two retirements, including German team member Pauline Knorr (Abke’s Boy) who decided to call it a day after a refusal at fence nine and another at the third element of fence 21. And Copestake was the third of the French team to be eliminated, her day coming to an early end with a fall at fence six.

France had been looking really competitive when sitting in bronze medal spot, and just 20 penalties behind the British leaders, after dressage. But Stephanie Landois’ Klan de Cheylac fell at fence 11, and then Capucine Bourgeois’ Obelix de Mail fell at fence 20, so French team chances were already dashed before Copestake parted company with Aprobanta.

A total of 17 completed inside the time, and 10 had just one refusal on course. The individual leaderboard showed the British taking an even firmer hold at the end of the day, with Furlong and Beaty still holding the top two places and Emily King now lying fourth behind Germany’s Reemtsma who added nothing to her scoreline.

Dramatically improved

Beaty’s score didn’t count toward the team however, but King’s rise to fourth was backed up by the fact that Ella Hitchman and Rocky Rockstar dramatically improved from 12th to sixth place after their foot-perfect tour of the track while Isabella Innes Ker and Carolyn rose from overnight 20th all the way up to 13th when doing likewise.

The British now had just over 10 points of a lead over Germany in the team rankings, while the departure of the French allowed the Irish to move into third spot despite cross-country elimination for Harold Megahey and Chuckelberry who were members of the 2014 gold-medal-winning side. Cathal Daniels (Rioghan Rua), Susannah Berry (Carsonstown Athena) and Tony Kennedy (Westeria Lane) all kept a clean sheet on cross-country day, and once they had the bit between their teeth they were determined they would not let go. But they were being stalked by the Swedes going into the final jumping phase so there was plenty of tension as the third-phase action began.

Unbeatable final tally

Clears for Furlong, Hitchman and Innes Ker meant the British could discount the 12 final-phase faults collected by King for an unbeatable final tally of 128.10. And although Reemtsma picked up eight faults, both Wahler and Lisa-Marie Forster (Columbo) completed on their dressage marks to hold firmly onto silver for Team Germany. Also reduced to a three-rider side, the Irish were boosted by a clear from Daniels, and despite four faults for Berry and 10 for Kennedy, they finished more than 16 penalty points ahead of the Swedes who added 24 to their scoreline.

At the end of the day the individual scoreboard showed three of the British team, as well as individual competitor Beaty, in the top eight while Germany completed with three team-members in the top 10. Ireland’s Cathal Daniels, who started out in 17th spot, finished sixth behind Italy’s Matteo Arrighi who also completed on his dressage score with Quieto du Pin, while Britain’s Hitchman missed out on the individual podium by just three points.

It was another excellent result for bronze medallist Christoph Wahler who finished fifth individually at last year’s Young Rider Championships in Portugal and who won the CIC2* at Rockingham in May with Sammy Deluxe. And for 20-year-old Sophie Beaty today’s individual silver medal is a long way from her 33rd Championship placing twelve months ago with Stanly who finished fourth at Houghton Hall (GBR) in May and ninth at Barbury Castle (GBR) just last month.

Will Furlong, individual bronze medallist at the Junior European championships in Jardy (FRA) two years ago, has meanwhile lived up to the promise he showed when winning the CCIY2* at Houghton Hall last year before coming back to fill runner-up spot at the same venue this season.

Results:

FEI European Young Riders Team Eventing Championship 2015:

GOLD – Great Britain 128.10: Livingstone (Will Furlong) 34.70, Rocky Rockstar (Ella Hitchman) 45.20, Carolyn (Isabella Innes Ker) 48.20, Loxley (Emily King) 54.00;

SILVER – Germany 140.40: (Green Mount Flight (Christoph Wahler) 42.50, Ikarosz (Flora Reemtsma) 48.60, Columbo 38 (Lisa-Marie Forster) 49.30, Abke’s Boy (Pauline Knorr) 1,000 ;

BRONZE – Ireland 164.80: Rioghan Rua (Cathal Daniels) 47.50, Carsonstown Athena (Susannah Berry) 54.20, Westeria Lane (Tony Kennedy) 63.10, Chuckelberry (Harold Megahey) 1,000.

FEI European Young Riders Individual Eventing Championship 2015: GOLD – Livingstone (Will Furlong) GBR 34.70; SILVER – Stanly (Sophie Beaty) GBR 39.10; BRONZE – Green Mount Flight (Christoph Wahler) GER 42.50.

Latest Football Transfer Stories, Rumors And Titbits For The 30th of August 2015

Here are the top Transfer Stories as compiled by Our man Paul Ayorinde the 30th of August 2015

you can Follow Paul on twitter @El_pauleta and also follow @Newfanzonwe for instant follow back, you can also like our Newfanzone Facebook page

Done Deals:

– Manchester City have completed the signing of Kevin De Bruyne from Wolfsburg on a six-year contract.

– Bayern Munich have signed midfielder Kingsley Coman on a two-year loan deal from Juventus.

– Wolfsburg have completed the signing of Dante from Bayern Munich.

– Valencia have completed the signing of defender Aymen Abdennour from Monaco on a five-year deal.

– Las Palmas have signed Ghanaian winger Mubarak Wakaso from Rubin Kazan.

– Lyon have signed midfielder Sergi Darder from Malaga.

– Inter Milan have completed the signing of Wolfsburg winger Ivan Perisic.

Kevin De Bruyne

Today’s reports and rumours:

Chicharito o Nino per il Milan, Destro legato a Benatia http://www.diggita.it:v.php?id=1388790

– Bayer Leverkusen are in advanced talks to sign Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, according to Sky Sports sources.

– Julian Draxler has undergone a medical at Wolfsburg, according to Sky Sport Italia.

– Marseille have no intention of selling Cameroon international defender Nicolas N’Koulou, according to Mediafoot Marseille.

– Ronald Koeman has confirmed Southampton still want to bring in a central defender before Tuesday’s deadline.

– Beppe Marotta insists Juventus “were never really that close” to signing Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler.

– Ronald Koeman insists Victor Wanyama is not for sale , despite the midfielder missing Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Norwich.

– Genoa will reportedly take Blerim Dzemaili on loan from Galatasaray.

– Arsenal have had a bid for Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi rejected, according to reports.

– Juventus have reportedly agreed terms on the deal for Marseilles’ Mario Lemina.

– Liverpool striker Fabio Borini has snubbed a move to Sunderland in order to force a switch to Inter Milan, according to reports.

– Victor Valdes’ proposed move to Besiktas is off, according to the BBC.

– Aston Villa’s Libor Kozak is a target for Bundesliga side Mainz, according to reports.

– Genoa have made a bid to West Ham to sign striker Mauro Zarate, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Neymar
photo credit: Marc Puig i Perez
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/legalcode

– Neymar insists Barcelona fans have “nothing to worry about” despite reports linking him with a world-record move to Manchester United.

– Roma director Walter Sabatini apologised to Genoa, as Juan Manuel Iturbe “is staying with us,”

– Inter are reportedly in double talks with Galatasaray for Felipe Melo and Alex Telles.

– Bayern Munich have reportedly joined Paris St-Germain in trying to sign Everton defender Seamus Coleman.

– According to reports, Arsenal are monitoring Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez.

– According to reports, West Ham are considering a move for Hull City striker Nikica Jelavic.

– According to reports, Real Madrid has received an offer about €100million from Manchester United for Gareth Bale.

– Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah is expected to arrive at Napoli this evening for a medical ahead of joining the Serie A club on loan, according to Sky Sport Italia.

– AS Monaco have received an astonishing €50m offer from Manchester United for French striker Anthony Martial, according to reports in France.

– According to reports in Spain, Athletic Bilbao are set to sign Raul Garcia from Atletico Madrid.

– According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus full-back Paolo De Cegile will finally be joining Marseille on loan with an option to buy.

Victor Moses.CFC photo credit uefa.com

– Chelsea winger Victor Moses will join West Ham on loan before the end of the transfer window, according to Sky Sports sources.

– Louis van Gaal insisted Manchester United’s defeat to Swansea will not prompt him to panic-buy in the final
48 hours of the transfer window.

– Juventus are reportedly interested in signing Tottenham winger Erik Lamela on loan.

Football tit bits:

– England manager Roy Hodgson have called Swansea City’s Jonjo Shelvey and Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy for the European Championship qualifier against San Marino and Switzerland.

– Louis van Gaal refused to blame Sergio Romero for Manchester United’s defeat at Swansea City, despite the Argentinian making a mistake for Bafétimbi Gomis’s winning goal, and went on to suggest that David de Gea’s future was now in the hands of Ed Woodward, the club’s chief executive.

Garry Monk swansea city Manager

– Garry Monk believes Swansea City are a “force” in the Premier League, after they came from behind to beat Manchester United 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.

– Rudi Garcia said “this is the Roma I wanted” after a dominant performance to beat Juventus 2-1.

– Gary Neville says Manchester United should not be judged as Premier League title contenders and thinks they must change their style of play.

– Tim Howard has returned to the USA National team for the first time since taking a break from international football following last year’s World Cup.

Carter Wins Paul Hunter Snooker Classic

Ali Carter won his first professional tournament since successfully battling cancer, beating Shaun Murphy 4-3 in the final of the Paul Hunter Classic.

Carter won a Kreativ Dental Clinic European Tour event for the first time with triumph over Murphy in an exciting final in Fürth, Germany.

The victory is worth 25,000 Euros, but far more significant for Carter is the knowledge that he still has the game and temperament to win titles at the top level.

The 36-year-old from Chelmsford beat testicular cancer in 2013, as well as a tumour on his lung last year which required several cycles of chemotherapy to overcome.

Carter, who also suffers from Crohn’s disease, missed a series of tournaments last season and saw his world ranking drop to 29th as a result. But he is now on the right path on and off the table and the three-time ranking event winner will believe he can regain a place among snooker’s elite.

Fittingly, his return to the winner’s podium came at a tournament named after Paul Hunter, who died of cancer in 2006.

Carter built a 3-1 lead in the final with top breaks of 61 and 54, Murphy’s only response coming with a run of 72 in the second frame. Masters champion Murphy took the fifth with an 83 then came from 56-7 down to nick the next, sealing it with a green-to-black clearance.

Ali Carter Wins Paul Hunter Classic

But two-time World finalist Carter was not to be denied as he won the deciding frame with a superb break of 95 to win his first pro title since the 2013 German Masters.

Earlier in the semi-finals, Carter beat Michael Holt 4-2 while Murphy edged out Mark King 4-3.

The Kreativ Dental Clinic European Tour is a series of six events across the continent, with the top 24 on the final Order of Merit to qualify for the Players Championship. The next event is the Ruhr Open in Mülheim, Germany from October 7-11.

Results (last 16 onwards)

Last 16

Mark King 4-1 Kyren Wilson

Ian Burns 4-3 Thor Chuan Leong

Stuart Carrington 4-3 Mark Davis

Shaun Murphy 4-1 Robbie Williams

Judd Trump 4-3 Jamie Cope

Michael Holt 4-0 Sean O’Sullivan

Ali Carter 4-2 Jimmy Robertson

Mark Williams 4-1 Scott Donaldson

Quarter-finals

King 4-0 Burns

Murphy 4-2 Carrington

Holt 4-1 Trump

Carter 4-2 Williams

Semi-finals

Murphy 4-3 King

Carter 4-2 Holt

Final
Carter 4-3 Murphy

ICC Holds Successful Town Hall Meeting With USA Cricket Community

The International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday conducted a Town Hall meeting in Chicago with stakeholders from the USA cricket community.

The meeting was attended by 85 people, with most representing many of the approximately 100 cricket leagues across the country.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson addresses the Town Hall meeting in Chicago. Credit: @ICC

The day was hosted by ICC Chief Executive David Richardson and ICC Head of Global Development Tim Anderson, with members of the ICC’s USA Local Advisory Group also in attendance.

The current status of cricket in the USA – including the ICC Board’s recent suspension of the USA Cricket Association (USACA) – was discussed during the meeting, however, most time was spent considering the future strategic priorities for the game in the USA. The development of a meaningful strategy aimed at assisting the future promotion and development of cricket in the country will now continue over the coming months.

“We came to learn earlier this year that although lots of cricket was being played in the USA, and lots of passionate people were supporting the game, these efforts were largely disconnected,” said ICC Chief Executive David Richardson.

“A focus on bringing people together to share information, discuss common issues and, importantly, start talking about how exciting the future of cricket in the USA could be was therefore needed, and that’s what was achieved during this meeting.

A group image from the ICC’s Town Hall meeting in Chicago on Saturday with stakeholders from the USA Cricket Community. Credit: @ICC

“There remains much work to do, however, judging by the attitude of those in attendance who are keen for cricket in the USA to move forward with greater purpose, this has certainly been a very positive step in the right direction.”

Over the coming months the USA Local Advisory Group will continue to engage with the community as part of the strategy development process.

SEB COE EXCITED TO START A NEW RACE

Today is my first day of office as President of the IAAF. I am very excited and proud to have been given an opportunity to lead our great sport into the new era that lies ahead. I am looking forward to working closely with my colleagues on the IAAF Council, who yesterday accepted my recommendation to appoint Sergey Bubka as our Senior Vice President.

Beijing has been a wonderful edition of the IAAF World Championships. The stadium has been full over nine days, morning and evening, with an energetic and enthusiastic crowd who have been enthralled by the world’s greatest athletes.

Athletics has been at the centre of my life since I was a young boy. Everything I am today can be credited to my experiences and successes in this sport and my mission now is to enhance the sport’s ability to inspire and entertain. Athletics is about sporting performance and success but also about values which have the strongest ethical foundations.

With the support of my Council colleagues, I am determined to ensure that athletics remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement. We will continue to put the interest of athletics first and retain the level of independence necessary to help us do the right thing for our sport.

Our approach will be a simple one: to ensure that the IAAF works in the service of the Member Federations and the athletes.

And I am determined to get out of the starting blocks quickly, so today we begin a detailed review of our existing management structures and use of resources to ensure that within the next 100 days, IAAF Council can approve new systems and teams which are necessary for delivering our ambitious plans. We are committed to ensuring good governance in everything that we do and, as a starting point, our legal team has been asked to conduct an in-depth review of the IAAF Constitution and related governance.

Seb Coe IAAF President, photo credit IAAF

A new Member Federations Relations team has also been created to ensure Member Federations are fully engaged and involved in shaping the future of the sport.

Work has also began on a review and enhancement of our current IAAF Commissions and working groups to ensure that the IAAF Council gets the best possible advice and support moving forwards.

Finally, a working group has been set up to look into the possibility of establishing a new over-arching integrity unit for athletics which would house an anti-doping operation with greater independence and have access to a newly formed independent tribunal to hear doping cases of international level athletes (and support personnel). This will be done without impeding or in any way delaying investigations currently underway.

These are exciting times for athletics and I am delighted to be in a position to help the sport break new barriers.

Seb Coe
IAAF President

CAT/ ITF Championship Quadre leads Team Nigeria to Morocco…

….as U16 team departs for Benin and Togo tourneys

Emerging tennis sensation, Oyinlomo Quadre will shoulder Team Nigeria’s hope for a memorable outing at the 2015 ITF Junior Championship in Morocco, serving off Monday morning. Timipre Maxwell and Mathew Abamu (both 11) complete the team.

According to the Nigeria Tennis Federation President, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, the trio departed the Lagos airport in the early hours of Saturday aboard Air Morocco and arrived the North African nation in the evening of the same day.

Engr. Sani Ndanusa, President Nigeria Tennis Federation

Quadre, 12, is the most experienced of the trio who were invited for the tournament after their impressive performance at the ITF West and Central African Circuit in Lome, Togo, early this year.

“I’m looking forward to make Nigeria proud by doing very well in Morocco,” she said hours before her departure for the tournament which is attracting over 60 players from over 20 African Countries.

Quadre, who is the best player in West Africa following her double triumph in Togo, will face stiff competition top players from other regions.

On her part, Maxwell, who is based in Port Harcourt, has equally geared up her game as she emerged as the Most Valuable Player at the CBN Junior tournament in Lagos in May while Abamu has been identified as one of the country’s star prospect.

Meanwhile, another set of Nigerian team are scheduled to depart on Monday for the ITF/ West and Central African U16 Junior Championship slated for Benin and Togo from September 1- 20.

Angel Mcleod, Adetayo Adetunji, Martins Abamu, Sylvester Emmanuel and Sunday Emmanuel will fly Nigeria’s flag at the tournament under the watch of Coach Mohammed Ubale.

PRESIDENT DIACK: “THE IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, BEIJING 2015 HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL… THANK YOU CHINA!”

The concluding joint IAAF and Local Organising Committee (LOC) press conference at the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 took place before the start of the last day of athletics in the Bird’s Nest stadium on Sunday (30).

Guests included IAAF President Lamine Diack, IAAF President elect Sebastian Coe, IAAF General Secretary Essar Gabriel, LOC Executive Chairman and Assistant Director of General Administration of Sport of China Gao Zhidan, LOC Deputy Chairman and Director of the Athletic Administration Centre of General Administration of Sport of China Du Zhaocai, and LOC Executive Secretary General and Vice Minister of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports Chen Jie.

“The IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 have been wonderful,” opened President Diack, who spoke about the spectator number in the stadium, the increased TV audiences of these championships and also the IAAF’s medical and anti-doping programme in Beijing.

“The testing figures are interim data. We will confirm full anti-doping statistics by press release on Tuesday but this is the most comprehensive testing programme of any sport in the past two years,” emphasised Diack.

“More than 650 blood tests were conducted at the athlete hotels prior, and during, the world championships. More than 520 urine tests conducted at the stadium and at the hotels,” he added.

photo credit © Getty Images for IAAF

IAAF President elect Coe announced major increases in the IAAF website and social media audiences over the previous edition of the championships two years ago in Moscow.

“The IAAF’s strategy to attract a younger audience to athletics via the online promotion of the sport has received a massive boost in Beijing. The IAAF’s responsive website, which fits on any device, has got users around the world,” said Coe.