The International Horseball Federation (FIHB) and the International University Sports Federation (FISU) have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with the FEI.
The MOUs are based on a mutual commitment to equestrian sport and fostering its growth, and the FEI will increase collaboration with the FIHB and the FISU as part of these new agreements. The two organisations will work in close cooperation with the FEI, continuing to enhance best practice and the development of equestrian sport.
Founded in 1999, the FIHB was created to govern the sport of horseball worldwide, and maintain contact with the FEI. Horseball, a mix of “basketball and rugby on horseback”, is now played on five continents.
“As the sport of horseball becomes more widely known, the FIHB are delighted to be officially associated with the FEI, which raises our profile worldwide”, FIHB President Frederico Cannas said. “We believe our partnership with the FEI, together with their back-up and support, is key to bringing our sport to a higher level.”
FEI President Ingmar De Vos (left) receives horseball from FIHB President Frederico Cannas (right) to commemorate the signing of the MOU at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) today. (FEI)
The International University Sports Federation, FISU, was founded in 1949 and, developed within university institutions to effectively communicate sports values and uphold best sports practice through the university spirit. The FISU’s main responsibility is the supervision of both the Summer and Winter Universiades, as well as the World University Championships.
“Recognising our formal agreement with the FEI, and working in close association with them, will ensure our sport has a stronger future on a global scale”, FISU President, Claude-Louis Gallien said. “As an international organisation, we uphold the same principles and interests, enabling the development and excellence of university sport worldwide.”
“We are looking forward to strengthening our collaboration with both the FIHB and FISU, and to broaden the appeal of equestrian sport by working alongside like-minded organisations which share our core values”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
The final return leg of the Orange Confederation Cup 2015 between Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia) and Orlando Pirates (South Africa) will take place on Sunday, 29 November 2015 at the Olympic Stadium in Sousse at 15H00 local time (14H00 GMT).
The initial kick-off was 19H30 local time on the same day.
This decision is upon a request by Etoile du Sahel submitted to the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) on Wednesday, 25 November 2015, in response to recent events in Tunisia, which has compelled authorities to declare a nationwide curfew.
The decision by CAF was taken in consultation with the Fédération Tunisienne de Football and the Tunisian Ministry of Interior.
Meanwhile, officials designated for the match remain unchanged.
The 2015 World Trampoline Gymnastics Championships begin Thursday in Odense (DEN), promising a high-flying spectacle where berths for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and The World Games 2017 in Wroclaw (POL) will be up for grabs.
A record 344 athletes representing 40 nations from Argentina to Venezuela have registered to compete for the 14 World titles to be awarded in Individual and Synchronised Trampoline, Tumbling and Double-mini.
2015 TRAMPOLINE GYMNASTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ODENSE.
With 205 gymnasts (123 men and 82 women) scheduled to compete in the Individual competition, participation in Trampoline Gymnastics has reached new heights with the Odense Worlds, signalling a burgeoning interest in the discipline, which has been part of the Olympic programme since 2000.
Best-on-the-planet bragging rights are only part of the story in Odense, hometown of the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. For the top gymnasts, Sunday’s final will mark the beginning of their own Olympic fairy tale. The top eight gymnasts in Men’s and Women’s Individual Trampoline competition will earn their countries a spot in the 16-gymnast field at next summer’s Rio Games. Thirteen other men and women will advance to Olympic Test Event to be held April 20, the second and final opportunity for gymnasts to qualify for the Games.
Three Olympic champions — Dong Dong (CHN, 2012), He Wenna (CHN, 2008) and Rosannagh MacLennan (CAN, 2012) — will contend for the Individual titles in Odense. They will be joined in the podium race by reigning World champions Tu Xiao (CHN) and Liu Lingling (CHN) and former Olympic medallists Jason Burnett (CAN), Dmitry Ushakov (RUS), Karen Cockburn (CAN) and Ekaterina Khilko (UZB).
The competition is no less important for gymnasts in the non-Olympic disciplines of Synchronised Trampoline, Tumbling and Double-mini. For them, the Odense Worlds are the only opportunity to qualify for The World Games 2017 in Wroclaw (POL), the quadrennial Olympic-style competition for non-Olympic disciplines.
In Synchronised Trampoline, Tumbling and Double-mini, the top eight countries from the qualification round will advance to The World Games. The last two places will be attributed by the FIG Executive and Trampoline Technical Committee, taking into account host country and continental representation requirements.
For the past 15 years, Odense has hosted several big Trampoline events, including the 2001 World Championships. “Odense is a sports city that obviously likes to bounce!” declared Slava Corn, Vice President of the FIG. “When we came here 14 years ago, Trampoline had just made its Olympic debut in Sydney 2000. These Championships in 2015 are the biggest yet and the first major stop on the road to the Rio Olympic Games.”
“This is the fifth time in a generation that Trampoline athletes have come to compete in Odense,” said Flemming Knudsen, President of the Danish Gymnastics Federation. “Hosting events like the 2001 Worlds and FIG Trampoline World Cups have allowed us to develop the sport in our country while displaying Danish gymnastics on an international level.”
“Hosting the largest World Championships in the history of the discipline is a great honor for us, since we constantly work to attract great international sports events that give us a chance to tell the story about our transformation into a vibrant and modern city,” added Anker Boye, Mayor of Odense.
Competition in Odense begins Thursday with the beginning of the qualification rounds. The first finals will be held Friday evening in the presence of Prince Frederik of Denmark, who is scheduled to present the gold medals.
The Vice President of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation, Olatunji Fasimoye says the only way Nigerian sports can take its rightful place on the world map is through adequate investment.
Reacting after their 8th place finish at the recently concluded Olympic Rugby Qualifiers in South Africa, the Ondo state born administrator said countries like Namibia and Zimbabwe who defeated them were not technically or tactically superior.
He attributed their losses to their physical conditioning despite traveling to Johannesburg a week before the tournament for acclimatisation.
He revealed that their losses never painted a true picture of what happened because in most cases, they were always in the lead before fatigue set in.
Tunji Fasimoye – VP NRFF,
The former Nigerian rugby international said with the human resources that abound in Nigeria and the current set of players in the national team, Nigeria will be a force to reckon with in world rugby in the next 5 years if given the right support.
All is now set for the jump ball of the 2015 edition of the National Division 1 Men’s basketball championship to be hosted in Port Harcourt by the Royal Hoopers basketball club between November 27 and December 6.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF confirmed the hosting of the championship which will decide the promotion of two teams to the DSTV Premier League after a meeting of the technical committee of the NBBF and a representative of the hosts, Royal Hoopers, Ogoh Odaudu, at the federation’s boardroom in the National Stadium Abuja on Tuesday.
Mr Odaudu during the presentation to members of the committee, said the city of Port Harcourt was ready to host the first division teams expected for the 8-day championship.
Odaudu, who doubles as the head coach of the host team Royal Hoopers, and member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) revealed that they are ready to stage a memorable championship having already constituted a 7-man LOC which has since hit the ground running. He disclosed that the LOC has put in place adequate security arrangements, a functional gym for the competition, standby generator coupled with vibrant host media for a good coverage, as well as other logistics for a good championship.
Confirming that all roads lead to Port Harcourt for this year’s edition that will produce replacements for relegated FCT Rocks and Police Batons, the NBBF, said it was impressed with the preparedness of the hosts.
According to the schedule of events, arrival for teams and officials is Friday November 27,while the on-site interface between the federation’s technical officials and the LOC and inspection of facilities will take place same day at 4pm. The technical meeting and opening game for the 2015 edition are both scheduled for Saturday November 28.
The winners and runners-up will both be promoted to the DStv Premier Basketball League in the 2015/2016 season and will receive plaques and medals for their effort. There will be awards for the Most Valuable player, Best Rebounder and Best Three- point shooter of the tournament.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that, for the first time ever, four female match officials have been selected for the forthcoming ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015, which will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 28 November to 5 December.
Experienced New Zealander Kathleen Cross will be joined by Australia’s Claire Polosak, England’s Sue Redfern and West Indies’ Jacqueline Williams for the qualifier which will see eight sides (Bangladesh, China, Ireland, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand and Zimbabwe) fight out for the two available spots in the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016, which will be staged alongside the men’s event from 11 March to 3 April 2016.
The trailblazing quartet’s selections are a further positive step forward, and also reasserts the ICC’s commitment to, the development of the women’s game. It is hoped that these appointments will also inspire more women to become involved in officiating and participating in the game.
The quartet will be joined by fellow umpires Allan Haggo and Nigel Morrison, while ICC Graeme Labrooy will be the match referee. ICC Umpire Coach Denis Burns will also attend the week-long tournament and provide support and assistance to the match officials.
Taumarunui born Cross became the first woman to be named in an ICC umpires’ panel when she was added to the ICC Associate and Affiliate panel of umpires in 2014. She has previously umpired in the ICC Women’s World Cups in 2000, 2009 and 2013, the Women’s World Cup Qualifier in 2011 and the Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2013. In recent years, Kathy has also worked at men’s senior events including the ICC World Cricket League Championship Divisions 3 and 5.
“Each tournament brings something new for women’s cricket and this latest development hopefully shows that the quality of umpiring is getting better and better, as the calibre of teams is certainly improving,” Cross remarked.
She added: “I have enjoyed the experience of officiating in different parts of the world, but I have been alone, as a woman, in the middle for quite some time. So, it’s great for all of us to have this opportunity in Thailand this week at such an important tournament. I think that the selection of four females can set down a pathway for more people to come through the system.”
At 27, Australia’s Polosak is the youngest official at the tournament and recently made history when she was appointed as third umpire for the Matador One-Day Cup to become the first female to officiate in a List ‘A’ Australian competition. Hailing from Goulburn, the high-school science teacher has since progressed to be involved as third umpire in the Queensland versus Cricket Australia XI match in October and as reserve umpire in several domestic matches.
Commenting on her appointment, Polosak said: “Being selected to umpire at this tournament is very humbling and I am looking forward to working with, and learning lots from the other very experienced officials.
“I am excited about the opportunity to travel to another country to umpire. There are many who wish to, but few get the chance. The fact that there are four female umpires at this tournament is not only special to other aspiring female cricket umpires showing there is a real pathway available, but also to anybody who has goals and wants to work hard and achieve them in any facet of their life.
“At the moment my umpiring goal is to be the best umpire I can, concentrating on the game that is in front of me. I always strive to be on top of my game for the players and to give them the respect that I am trying as hard as I can for them. Umpiring is unique in that I think it is very difficult to succeed without a strong support network. I couldn’t umpire without the support of my family, my partner Evan, nor the coaching from Cricket Australia and New South Wales Cricket Umpires and Scorers state director Darren Goodger.”
England’s former left-arm spinner Redfern, who appeared in six Tests and 15 ODI’s from 1995 to 1999, including featuring in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 1997. Since then she has officiated regularly throughout the non-first class arena including ECB Premier League cricket (men) and some MCCU 2 day cricket. She will be involved in county second eleven cricket in the forthcoming season. Over the last few years she has undertaken local and national appointments, mostly in men’s cricket, as well as formal qualifications to be given the opportunity to officiate in Thailand.
Sue’s ambitions moving forward are to continue to improve in men’s domestic cricket in England whilst working towards officiating at the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 and then ultimately becoming a professional umpire.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be given the opportunity to test my skills and be part of such an important tournament,” Sue said, adding: “As a former international player, I understand how seeing female umpires is incredibly powerful and demonstrates to women they can undertake any role in cricket they wish. It is important for the game to progress but, at the same time, it’s imperative I perform on-field and deliver to ensure the players get the best experiences. I will be using the time to share ideas with and learn things from others to further enhance my skills.”
Williams hails from Jamaica and recently made her international debut, when she stood in the first One-day and first Twenty20 Internationals during the Pakistan Women’s Tour of the West Indies.
Upon her return from Thailand, she will make history when she will become the first female umpire to officiate in the WICB Regional fist-class competition.
“I am very happy to be appointed to such an event. My preparation work has gone very well and it’s a continuous process. Being the first female from the Caribbean is a humbling feeling and I will do my very best to set a standard that other women will be excited about cricket umpiring and take on the task. I am looking forward to working with the PCT (Playing Control Team) and learning as I go along,” Williams said.
Former England captain and Chair of the ICC Women’s Committee, Clare Connor, commented: “To have four female umpires appointed for the forthcoming ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in Thailand is a great step forward for the ICC’s overarching strategy with Members to increase the representation of women across all aspects of the game.
“Huge strides have been taken with regards to the playing profile of women’s cricket in recent times, and it is just as important that this momentum is carried into every facet of the sport, including areas such as coaching and officiating.
“To do this, collectively we need to make sure that we are proactively supporting and developing female officials across the world by giving them appropriate opportunities to officiate at the highest level.”
Match Officials (alphabetical order):
Umpires: Kathy Cross, Allan Haggo, Nigel Morrison, Claire Polosak, Suzanne Redfern, Jacqueline Williams
Match referee: Graeme Labrooy
Umpire coach: Denis Burns
Fixtures (umpire appointments will be announced in due course):
Saturday 28 November
1000-1245: Thailand v Bangladesh, TCG; 1000-1245: Ireland v Netherlands, AIT; 1345-1630: PNG v Scotland, TCG; 1345-1630: China v Zimbabwe, AIT
Sunday 29 November
1000-1245: China v Ireland, TCG; 1000-1245: Scotland v Bangladesh, AIT; 1345-1630: Zimbabwe v Netherlands, TCG; 1345-1630: Thailand v PNG, AIT;
Tuesday 1 December
1000-1245: Thailand v Scotland, TCG; 1000-1245: Bangladesh v PNG, AIT; 1345-1630: Zimbabwe v Ireland, TCG; 1345-1630: Netherlands v China, AIT
Thursday 3 December
1000-1245: Trophy Semi Final 1 A1 v B2, TCG
1000-1245: Shield Semi Final 1 A3 v B4, AIT
1345-1630: Trophy Semi Final 2 B1 v A2 , TCG
1345-1630: Shield Semi Final 2 B3 v A4, AIT
Friday 5 December
1000-1245: 3/4 Trophy P-Off LTSF1 v LTSF2, TCG
1000-1245: 3/4 Shield P-Off LSSF1 v LSSF2, AIT
1345-1630: Trophy Final WTSF1 v WTSF2, TCG
1345-1630: Shield Final WSSF1 v WSSF2, AIT
The ITF announced today that Betway, one of the world’s leading betting and gaming companies, has become an international sponsor of both Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas. Betway was introduced as an international sponsor at the recent Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final in Prague and its sponsorship of both competitions will continue for three years through 2018.
Under terms of the new partnership, Betway will receive branding on court at all Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group ties. Innovative activations to strengthen fans’ engagement with and enjoyment of the Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas will be at the core of the new partnership. All elements of the new partnership are fully compliant with the rules and interpretations of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme.
“The ITF welcomes Betway to our family of sponsors,” said ITF President David Haggerty. “To continue strengthening our flagship events, Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, the support of strong and creative partners like Betway who will elevate our fans’ enjoyment of the competitions is an important initiative. Betway is a well-respected international betting brand. The ITF and Betway share the mission to keep the sport of tennis clean.”
“Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas fit perfectly within our roster of exciting, high profile sponsorships,” said Anthony Werkman, Marketing and Operations Director of Betway. “We are especially looking forward to this weekend’s Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final in Belgium, as it is a key market for us following our recent launch in the country.”
Today’s announcement follows the renewals of Davis Cup and Fed Cup international sponsor Adecco, and Davis Cup international sponsor Rolex, respectively, earlier this year.
Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in sport, with 126 nations entered in 2015. The competition is 115 years old having been founded in 1900. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Davis Cup. International sponsors are Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Adecco (Official HR Sponsor) and NH Hotels (Official Hotel). beIN SPORTS is the Official Global Media Rights Partner.
More than 140 sailors from 31 nations will sail across the three Paralympic sailing events at the 2015 Para World Sailing Championships set to be held in Williamstown, Melbourne, Australia from 27 November through to 3 December.
As the final qualification regatta for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition the stakes could not be higher across the 2.4mR, SKUD18 and Sonar fleets sailing in Melbourne. If that was not enough to increase the intensity, the quest for World Championship glory and bragging rights heading into the Paralympic year ensures the pressure cooker is turned up another notch.
Sonar teams from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece and Norway will enter the 2015 Para World Sailing Championships without the stress of having to qualify for Rio 2016. However, within the 18-boat fleet, their tension lies in the battle for the Sonar Para World Sailing title.
Each team, minus Greece, will be on the Melbourne startline and each team has the capabilities and experience to put together a good series of races to claim the title.
France’s Bruno Jourdren, Eric Flageul and Nicolas Vimont-Vicary come into the event with the favourites tag well and truly pinned on them after they won the 2013 and 2014 world championship titles.
Within French culture there is a saying, “Jamais Deux, Sans Trois”, which directly translates to ‘never two without three’. If that is the case then expect the French trio to be victorious in Melbourne but they won’t be resting on their laurels as Vimont-Vicary explained, “We are the world champions so of course we want to keep our title, but even though we are world champions and respected by the others, of course they want to fight us.
“For the moment we are focused on the World Championships but we know in the months ahead that Rio is the most important competition, although we have to be in the moment.”
Canada’s Paul Tingley, Logan Campbell and Scott Lutes finished second to the French team at the 2014 Worlds and will be strong contenders in 2015. Helm Tingley is one of the most successful Paralympic sailors competing in any Melbourne fleet. He won bronze at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games in the Sonar before taking the Sonar IFDS Disabled Sailing World Championship title a year later. He finished seventh in the Sonar at Athens 2004 before progressing into the 2.4mR.
Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games gold followed and two years later, racing against able-bodied sailors, won the Open 2.4mR World Championship. He continued in the 2.4mR through to London 2012 where he finished fifth before moving back into the Sonar.
With Campbell and Lutes, Tingley’s progression has been gradual. Bronze at the 2013 and 2015 Sailing World Cup Miami regattas and a second at the world’s last year show their steadiness but in a field of Paralympic hopefuls, they have an opportunity to lay down an indicator with less than one year until Rio 2016.
Australia’s Colin Harrison, Jonathan Harris and Russell Boaden finished third at the 2014 Worlds. Racing on their home waters, they have the ideal opportunity to make their mark and confidence could not be higher for the Australians. They took gold at the 2015 Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik, The Netherlands in a fleet that included the French world champions before following it up with further victory at Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland.
French Sonar Team
Further contention for the top spots will come from London 2012 silver medallists Jens Kroker, Siegmund Mainka and Robert Prem (GER), bronze medallists Aleksander Wang-Hansen, Marie Solberg and Per Kristiansen (NOR) as well as the experienced British team of John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas (GBR).
Six Rio 2016 Paralympic Games places are available at the 2015 Para World Sailing Championships with nine teams vying for one of those spots.
Teams from Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Spain, USA and the US Virgin Islands will be on the start line aiming to reach Rio.
Racing in the Sonar is scheduled to commence at 13:00 on Saturday 28 November.
Thirty-five Rio 2016 Olympic Quota Places will be distributed at the Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun competition, which will be held between the 25th January and the 3rd of February 2016 in New Delhi (IND).
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the ISSF recommendation to organize the “Asia Olympic Qualifying Competition for Shooting” in New Delhi, India from 25 January (arrival) until 3 February (departure).
After the IOC decided, on 29 October, to revoke the Olympic qualifying status of the Asian Shooting Championship, the ISSF took immediate steps to ensure that the 35 Shooting quotas would be awarded to Asian athletes in a high-level alternate competition. The ISSF invited all member federations in Asia to submit proposals to host this competition. Five federations expressed interest in organizing this competition and three of them submitted excellent, complete proposals. After evaluating these proposals, the ISSF Executive Committee selected the proposal from the National Rifle Association of India because it was the only proposal to organize all Olympic events in one competition at one place in New Delhi.
Participating federations will be responsible for international travel to New Delhi, but there will be no entry fees and no costs at the host city for local transportation, hotels and meals. Each federation can enter a maximum of 3 athletes in the competition and 2 MQS athletes only plus one rifle/pistol team official and one shotgun team official. Additional officials will be at the cost of the participating federation. Three to five star hotels have been selected. Details for the competition schedule and Official Program (General Information) are being worked out with the National Rifle Association of India and will be posted on the ISSF website in the beginning of December.
Gendarmerie men’s team from Madagascar and Anse Royale from Seychelles emerged as Zone 7 Club Championship held in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Gendarmerie beat Beau Vallon of Seychelles in the final of Men’s competition, while Anse Royale clinched the women’s competition after topping Stef Auto of Madagascar.
Ian Furneau from Beau Vallon was chosed as the men’s competition best player, while Bonne Jerina from Anse Royale was the women’s MVP.
Medallists
Men
WINNER: GENDARMERIE MADAGASCAR
RUNNER UP : BEAU VALLON SEYCHELLES
3RD POSITION: ASI MADAGASCAR
THE CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY THE CONTROL COMMITTEE, MINSTER YOUTH AND SPORTS AND MINISTER OF DEFENCE
Women
WINNER: ANSE ROYALE SEYCHELLES
RUNNER UP: STEF AUTO MADAGASCAR
3RD POSITION: AZUR SC MAURITIUS
DR AMR ELWANI CAVB-ZONE 7 CHALLENGE CUP
Final Ranking
HALL OF FAMERS WITH ZONE 7 CONTROL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Men
Rank Team Code Country
1 GENDARMERIE GDN MADAGASCAR
2 BEAU VALLON BVL SEYCHELLES
3 AKANY SAMBATRA ITAOSY ASI MADAGASCAR
4 TROU AUX BICHES SC TAB MAURICE
5 CAMP ITHIER CIV MAURICE
6 RACINES CLUB RAC COMORES
BEST SERVER – ROSE ALFRED DE LIMA STF AUTO TEAM -MADAGASCAR
Women
Rank Team Code Country
1 ANSE ROYALE ANS SEYCHELLES
2 STEF AUTO STA MADAGASCAR
3 AZUR SC AZR MAURICE
4 AKON’NY MANDROSEZA VB AMV MADAGASCAR
5 CASCADE CAS SEYCHELLES
6 QUATRE-BORNES VBC QVC MAURICE
7 AKANY SAMBATRA ITAOSY ASY MADAGASCAR
The Nigeria Football Federation has finalized arrangements for taking Members of its Congress on a 4-day leadership training program in the United Kingdom.
Already, the persons in the first batch of the program, which runs between 4th and 7th December in London, have secured entry visas into the United Kingdom for a training which quality is underscored by the capacity of the resource persons and the keen interest of the private sector.
Thenff.com learnt on Tuesday that leading airline, ARIK, top bank ZENITH BANK PLC and the FROT GROUP are the sponsors of the elite program.
There are 20 persons in the first batch, made up principally of Chairmen of State Football Associations, and including the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
“The Chairmen of the State FAs are the first-line charge for real development of the game at the grassroots. They also constitute the primary constituency of stakeholders.
“We are happy to have been able to arrange this program for them, and I can assure you that the impact of this program on the development of Nigeria football will be felt in the months and years to come.”
Among the resource persons for the 4-day program are Mr. Greg Dyke, Chairman of The Football Association; Mr. Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of The Premier League; Sir Dave Richards, former Chairman of The Premier League and; Mr. David Dein, former Vice Chairman of Arsenal Football Club.
“The present NFF administration is committed to building/enhancing the capacity of all workers in the game of football. Over the course of the past year, we have organized capacity–building programs for referees and coaches in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. This is an on –going exercise.
“I want to that other sectors of the sport will also benefit, as we look to improve the capacity of everyone involved in the beautiful game,” added NFF boss, Pinnick.
The Managing Director of FROT GROUP, Mr. Frank Momoh, and the Managing Director of ZENITH BANK in London will also be at the program.
Among those in the first batch are Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Chairman of Chairmen); Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi (Osun); Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam (Imo); Busari Ishola (Kwara); Mohammed Alkali (Nasarawa); Yahuza Adamu (Bauchi); Abubakar Ladan (Kebbi); Oswald Atuake (Cross River); Frank Ilaboya (Edo); Margaret Icheen (Benue); Abdulkadir Magaji (Kaduna), James Odeniran (Oyo); Chidi Ofo Okenwa (Enugu) and; Porbeni Ogun (Bayelsa).
Faster, higher, stronger, but especially higher: The Olympic motto is particularly applicable in Trampoline Gymnastics, where athletes soar up to eight meters in the air while executing jaw-dropping aerial acrobatics. The sky is literally the limit in Trampoline, but a winning strategy for the discipline’s elite is about more than just bouncing high – gymnasts must also take the risk factor into account and strive to execute elements with good form. In a discipline that has not stopped evolving since making its Olympic debut in 2000, here are three factors that could make a big difference at this week’s World Championships in Odense:
Time of flight
Time of flight was added in 2010 as one of the three scoring components in Trampoline, along with Difficulty and Execution. A laser placed at the height of the trampoline bed calculates the time the gymnast spends in the air during an exercise, which is transformed into a point total, rounded to the thousandth of a second. The introduction of this scoring criteria transformed the discipline, obliging gymnasts to seek new strategies in constructing their exercises.
“Gymnasts lose more than they gain by adding difficult elements that they haven’t mastered,” explained Christophe Lambert, Vice President of the FIG Trampoline Technical Committee. “If the technique isn’t good, the gymnast is going to travel from side to side on the trampoline, lowering the amount of time they’re in the air. It’s also a safeguard for them in that it dissuades them from risking more difficulty than they can handle.”
Time of flight has been known to make a big difference on the World level: When 2012 Olympic champion Dong Dong and compatriot Tu Xiao received the same Difficulty and Execution scores in finals at the 2013 Worlds, Dong’s superior Time of flight — a mere 0.215 seconds — gave him the gold.
Triple salto variations: Signature of the greats
With the arrival of the discipline under the Olympic rings in Sydney in 2000, equipment manufacturers have developed better performing Trampolines, which has led athletes to perform new, harder elements in turn. The most apparent among the men has been the triple front salto, performed in the pike position, with 1.5 twists at the end. To do it, a gymnast launches themselves skyward in a series of front flips and spins like a top on the descent. When a gymnast begins their exercise with this element, judges know they are dealing with a serious contender.
The best men are capable of combining triple somersaults in the piked or tucked positions, often with a half twist at the beginning or the end. The Chinese team as a whole has made triple variations their calling card, and it is because of their ability to do them well that they have become so dominant. Of the 10 elements that make up the difficulty score of an exercise, doing five or six triples in a routine puts the gymnast in orbit of the medal podium.
On the women’s side, the best competitors, including 2012 Olympic champion Rosannagh MacLennan (CAN), are capable of producing routines with three triple saltos.
2015 TRAMPOLINE GYMNASTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ODENSE.
The “Miller,” a Trampoline classic
American Wayne Miller, who won World Trampoline titles in 1966 and 1970, invented an element that was so far ahead of its time the best are still performing it half a century later. The “Miller” is a double backwards salto with three twists, while the “Miller plus” is a souped up version with four twists instead of three. “It’s an absolute classic in Men’s Trampoline,” noted Lambert. All the best gymnasts cap their routines with the laid-out version of this graceful skill.
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