FIVB President Dr Ary Graca arrived the Algerian capital on Tuesday to attend the 2015 elective Congress due to be held on December 3 and 4, 2015.
The CAVB Congress will feature among other numerous items in the agenda the election of new Board of Administration for the new mandate 2015-2019.
The elections will see 3 candidates compete for the presidency of CAVB, the current President Dr Amr Elwani along with Chad VB Federation President Idriss Dokony and the corresponding Burkina Faso President David Kabre.
“We are happy to receive Dr Graca here after his great support for Africa since he was elected as FIVB President in 2012,” said Elwani. “He had a great hand in starting the “African Dream Project” under his name as a great tool for the future of African Volleyball.”
Ireland to face Scotland and Bangladesh to face Zimbabwe as last four sides aiming to book passage to India
Live scoring available at http://www.icc-cricket.com; photographs will be available for free download and editorial use here; more information available on the event site
Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Scotland will be competing for the two coveted places in next year’s ICC Women’s World Twenty20 India 2016 when they face off in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier Thailand 2015 in Bangkok on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Ireland claimed its third victory of the pool stages when it defeated Zimbabwe by seven wickets at Terdthai Cricket Ground, but both sides qualified for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier semi-final from Group B. Ireland will play host to European rivals Scotland, while Zimbabwe will now face Bangladesh who topped Group A.
In the other Group B game at Asian Institute of Technology Ground, China edged Netherlands in a close contest to register its first win of the tournament and will face host Thailand in the Shield semi final on Thursday, with Papua New Guinea set to face the Netherlands in the other tie.
The Trophy finalists will be aiming to join reigning champion Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in the event proper, which will be staged alongside the men’s event from 11 March to 3 April 2016.
This is the second edition of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier, after the 2013 event was hosted by Ireland with Pakistan and Sri Lanka being adjudged as joint winners.
Scotland’s Fiona Urquhart in action against Bangladesh bowler Fahuma Khatun. Credit: @ICC
Scores in brief:
At Asian Institute of Technology Ground, Bangkok
Bangladesh Women 100-7, 20 overs (Fargana Hoque 28, Nigar Sultana 14; K Seura 2-2)
Papau New Guinea Women, 59 all out, 19.5 overs (V Frank 13 not out, T Ruma 12; Khadija Tul Kubra 5-11)
Bangladesh Women won by 41 runs
Player of the Match: Khadija Tul Kubra (Bangladesh Women)
At Thailand Cricket Ground, Bangkok
Thailand Women, 74-7, 20 overs (C Sutthiruang 21, S Tippoch 15; K Anderson 2-13)
Scotland Women, 75-4, 18.2 overs (RV Scholes 32, KE Bryce 13 not out; S Tippoch 2-20)
Scotland Women won by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: RV Scholes (Scotland Women)
At Thailand Cricket Ground, Bangkok
Zimbabwe Women, 78 all out, 19 overs (M Mupachikwa 15, Isobel Joyce 4-20)
Ireland Women, 79-3, 15.2 overs (Cecelia Joyce 36, Clare Shillington 22; CS Mugeri 1-17)
Ireland Women won by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Isobel Joyce (Ireland Women)
Ireland’s Isobel Joyce strikes the ball as Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Chipo Mugeri looks on. Credit: @ICC
At Asian Institute of Technology Ground, Bangkok
Netherlands Women, 101-6, 20 overs (M Veringmeier 26, CC van Slobbe 25; L Jie 1-15)
China Women, 103-5, 18.4 overs (Huang Zhuo 40 not out, F Song 21; HDJ Siegers 2-17)
China Women by 5 wickets
Player of the Match: Huang Zhuo (China Women)
Wednesday is a rest/reserve day.
Thursday’s fixtures are:
Trophy Semi-Final 1- Bangladesh Women v Zimbabwe Women, Thailand Cricket Ground, Bangkok (10.00 local time)
Shield Semi-Final 1- Papau New Guinea Women v Netherlands Women, At Asian Institute of Technology Ground (10.00 local time)
Trophy Semi-Final 2- Ireland Women v Scotland Women, Thailand Cricket Ground, Bangkok (13.45 local time)
Shield Semi-Final 2- China Women v Thailand Women, At At Asian Institute of Technology Ground (13.45 local time)
So far, Comets have not lost any game in the conference and still look good to give hosts Royal Hoopers
Proprietor of Comets of Lagos, Ayo Bakare, whose team is currently competing in the ongoing Men National Division Basketball League in Port Harcourt has revealed his intention was not to qualify the DSTV League but expose the bunch of talented young boys in his club to the dynamics of playing in the league.
This is coming as Comets have continued to display good basketball artistry in the tournament meant for the qualification of two teams one each from the Atlantic and Savannah to replace demoted FCT Rocks and Police Baton.
Ayo Bakare
So far, Comets have not lost any game in the conference and still look good to give hosts Royal Hoopers big fight when they clash on Thursday afternoon in a game that will most likely determine the leader of the group.
On Sunday, in their opening game, Comets beat Osun Lions 95-22 and defeated Raptors 71-54 on Monday.
In spite of their good displays, Ayo Bakare, a former national team coach believes exposure is key first for his boys than playing in the elite DSTV League. “I am not too ambitious about playing in the DSTV League; rather my interest is in exposing my team and the young boys to league atmosphere. This is because most of them have not played at this level before. They are bunch of young and new players hungry for exposure and competitiveness at this level. I have only three of them who have played in the league about 3 seasons ago, most of them have not experienced league action reason why I am willing to expose them.” He revealed
Russian-born Nigerian tennis star, Mellissa Ifidzhen is scheduled to arrive Lagos today for the 15th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship which will hold from 5th-19 December at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
The reigning Central Bank of Nigeria Open Women Singles champion will be making her debut in the $80,000 prize-money event which will see players from about 30 countries across the world battling for honours.
Secretary-General of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Gloria Ekwempu-Chinwuoko informed on Tuesday that the former Russian Junior champion, who won silver at the last All Africa Games in Congo, Brazaville has confirmed her participation at the two weeks-long tournament which has been identified as a leading top-grade event on the continent by the International Tennis Federation.
Melissa Ifidhzen
The Governor’s Cup has served as a springboard to the successful careers of some global tennis stars notably among is Indian Sania Mirza, who won the tournaments two legs in 2004, a year after she turned professional.
She is the reigning Wimbledon and US Open women’s doubles champion having paired Swiss Martina Hingis to win the two grand slams this year.
Meanwhile, the NTF has revealed that it has reached an advanced stage in sending Angel Mcleod to the ITF High Performance Centre in Morocco.
Angel Mcleod, daughter of the deceased Beauty Mcloed
The 13-year-old national junior champion has been in the cold as a result of the death of her mum, Beauty, who was killed by a mobile policeman in Lagos in October.
NTF President, Engr. Sani Ndanusa told the media that the federation is about to conclude arrangements with the ITF to see her shift her base to the north African country in order to help her achieve her dream in tennis after losing her mum in a pitiable circumstances.
“I’m looking forward to going there (Morocco) to play tennis. My mum’s dream has always been for me to play tennis and become a star and I believe I can make that dream come true by going to a place like Morocco to develop my career,” Angel, who until last year was based in Dubai, said.
IAAF President Sebastian Coe and fellow IAAF Council Member Anna Riccardi were unanimously elected by the General Assembly on Sunday (29) to become Board Members of the Diamond League AG, the company which owns and operates the IAAF Diamond League.
The General Assembly of the Diamond League AG, is composed of representatives of the IAAF and the 14 meeting organisations whose competitions make up the calendar of the IAAF Diamond League, Athletics’ top tier invitational circuit.
The Board is composed of six persons, three members represent the meetings and three represent the IAAF.
IAAF President Sebastian Coe becomes Chairman of the Board and Anna Riccardi is the second IAAF representative.
A third IAAF Board member will be proposed to the General Assembly ahead of its next meeting and full Board elections in March 2016. The three current representatives of the meetings on the Board are Patrick Magyar (SUI), Wilfried Meert (BEL) and Jean-Pierre Schoebel (MON).
During Sunday’s meeting the General Assembly agreed proposals to establish workshops to discuss the future development and format of the series.
This process is part of a wider strategic study of Athletics’ competition structure which will involve three newly formed Special Advisory Groups: One-Day Meetings, Competition Calendar and World Athletics Series Renovation.
IAAF President and Diamond League AG Chairman Sebastian Coe commented: “The IAAF Diamond League annually provides Athletics with a prominent global shop window. The 14 meeting series which runs from May to September offers fans the best international Athletics competition outside the IAAF World Championships and the Olympic Games. I am really looking forward to reviewing this top product with the meeting organisers who are our close partners in this series. Together we intend to take this popular invitational tour to the next level of sporting excellence and entertainment.”
Players of EL-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri have blamed the League Management Company for their woes, as the Maiduguri Warriors indebtedness to her players enters the 9th month this December with no sign of an end in sight. Late last week, the players were invited back to Maiduguri from their holidays with the promise that they would get paid the arrears owed them, but when players came from across the nation to meet the management, it was the same old song as the management and the State Commissioner for Sports promised them that they would be meeting the Governor to ensure that they would get payment. Enraged, the players stormed the Government House Maiduguri vowing not to leave there until they see the Governor.
“I received a distress call from the players almost in tears,” reveals renowned sports lawyer and Players’ advocate Barrister Johnny Precious Ogbah. “The players blame LMC for their woes, saying if the LMC had been serious with the 6 points deduction the management would have paid them their entitlements since. You will recall that the LMC first gave the club 60 days to pay or lose 6 points but they didn’t pay. They were also given 15 working days yet they did not pay and the only excuse the LMC gave is that they have received assurances from the State Governments that the money would be paid. That is not good enough, and till date the money has not been paid, leaving this players in so much distress.
“During the season the players went on strike to force their payment, instead of pressurizing the club the LMC threatened the players with life bans if they ever tried to fight for their rights again, and even went as far as reversing the walk over that was as a result of the strike. This amounts to giving EL-Kanemi Warriors a pat on the back and a thumbs up for owing the players, and they have reciprocated by refusing to pay the salaries they owe these boys.The players said to me categorically, that they are disappointed in the LMC for supporting EL-Kanemi to cheat them, and that they fear that their money will ever be paid. They also blamed their woes on a Northern conspiracy, saying the LMC are pampering El-Kanemi Warriors because they are a Northern club.
“Justice must be done and seen to be done. I am closely watching the whole scenario, and considering all legal options available. Players welfare is paramount to the success of our football, and we cannot allow clubs and administrators continue to make them suffer like this.
The USA Knockouts, Puerto Rico Hurricanes and Caciques de Venezuela tap-up new talent as 16 teams complete their line-ups for a hotly anticipated new campaign at WSB Season VI Draft
The World Series of Boxing Season VI Draft was finalised this morning in Lausanne, Switzerland, with several franchises seizing the opportunity to heavily strengthen their line-ups ahead of what is set to be another compelling season of boxing’s unique team competition. The USA Knockouts, Puerto Rico Hurricanes and Caciques de Venezuela were particularly active as they look to close the gap on last year’s champions the Kazakhstan Astana Arlans and beaten finalists the Cuba Domadores.
“We are gearing up for an exciting Season VI of WSB starting in January and I am thrilled to see a wealth of new boxing talent emerging in our competition,” said WSB CEO Karim Bouzidi. “The addition of new franchises and new boxers demonstrates the dynamic development of WSB in key markets across the globe and the growing international appeal of our sport, and I eagerly await the return of this exceptional boxing competition, along with our thousands of fans all over the world.”
The event opened with WSB Commission Chairman Franco Falcinelli welcoming two new franchises making their debuts in Season VI: Uzbekistan Tigers and Turkey Bosphourous. Shortly afterwards, Boxam silver medallist Damian Biacho became the first athlete to be drafted, with the British Lionhearts snapping up the Spanish middleweight talent.
It was a busy morning for the Lionhearts, who also secured the services of Armenia’s Koryun Soghomonyan (52kg), EUBC European Confederation Boxing Championships bronze medalist Petar Belberov (+91kg), Strandja Memorial Tournament winner Radoslav Pantaleev (81kg) and Hungary’s London 2012 Olympic Games quarter-finalist Zoltan Harcsa (75kg).
Even more active were the USA Knockouts, who landed a real coup in the form of Croatia’s super heavyweight star Filip Hrgovic. The former Astana Arlans boxer won all of his Season V contests, helping the team to the championship title and setting himself on course for a place at Rio 2016. Also among the eight new faces added to the Knockouts’ team were India’s red-hot flyweight Gaurav Bidhuri and French light heavyweight Souliman Abdourachidov.
Rafako Hussars Poland will be able to count on the considerable abilities of Ireland’s double-Olympic bronze medalist Patrick Barnes after they drafted in last year’s top light flyweight. Barnes delivered a 7-0 record for Italia Thunder in Season V, and he will be joined by Germany’s promising super heavyweight Florian Schulz, compatriot and 2015 European Games bronze medalist Kastriot Sopa, and Italy’s Riccardo D’Andrea.
France’s top-ranked welterweight Souleymane Cissokho, Colombia’s AMBC American Confederation Champion Jorge Luis Vivas and Germany’s Chemistry Cup winner Leon Bunn were the key names to join Mexico Guerreros, while among the new Caciques de Venezuela are Hector Luis Garcia and Hungary’s former EUBC European Confederation Champion Balazs Bacskai.
The Puerto Rico Hurricanes’ management kept its focus on the traditionally heavily contested upper weight classes of the draft, bringing in the services of Colombia’s Julio Carrillo (81kg), Germany’s Roman Fress (91kg), Armenian Narek Manasyan (+91kg), Ireland’s Dean Gardiner (+91kg) and Mantas Valavicius (+91kg) of Lithuania.
The opening matches of WSB Season VI, with the number of groups expanded from two to four this season in order to accomodate all sixteen teams, will take place in January 2016.
A first batch of Chairmen of Football Associations of States in Nigeria will fly out of Nigeria on Thursday for a 4-day leadership training program in the United Kingdom.
On Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation praised the FROT Group, ZENITH Bank PLC and ARIK Airline for their sponsorship of the elite program.
“I want to use this opportunity to commend FROT Group, ZENITH Bank and ARIK for their support for this lofty program. The objective is for long –term development of Nigeria football at the grassroots and we are confident this will be achieved,” said NFF President Amaju Pinnick.
Over the course of the past year, the present NFF administration has organized capacity building/enhancing programs for referees, coaches and administrators, with excellent impact on the domestic League and the outings of the various National Teams.
Resource persons at the program in the United Kingdom include former vice chairman of Premiership leading club, Arsenal FC, Mr. David Dein and Mr. Greg Dyke, Chairman of The Football Association. There will be a paper on ‘Identifying Boundaries,’ to be co-presented by George Dorling (Chairman, London FA) and David James (County Development Manager of London FA). This will delve into relationship between regional FAs and the national body.
Dyke will present a paper on ‘Leadership – Strategies and the Workings of the FA’ while Dein will talk on ‘Building A Brand.’
There will be a presentation by Grassroots Football England on talent identification and nurturing at grassroots level, and Marketing Apparel as a potential tool for revenue generation at grassroots level, as well as visits to FA Centre of Excellence at St Georges Park and Watford Football Club ground.
Listed on the first batch are Chairman of Chairmen, Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Chairman, Zamfara FA); NFF Board Member Chris Green (Chairman, Rivers FA); former NFF 1st Vice President Amanze Uchegbulam (Chairman, Imo FA); former NFF Board Member Taiwo Ogunjobi (Chairman, Osun FA); former NFF Board member Abubakar Ladan (Chairman, Kebbi FA) and; NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
There are also ranking members of the NFF Congress like Busari Ishola (Kwara); Mohammed Alkali (Nasarawa); Yahuza Adamu (Bauchi); Chidi Ofo Okenwa (Enugu); Margaret Icheen (Benue); Sunday Longbap (Plateau); Nasiru Saidu (Sokoto), Oswald Atuake (Cross River) and Sabo Abdullahi Dutse (Jigawa), as well as new faces Frank Ilaboya (Edo), Ayodele Alabi (Ekiti), Porbeni Ogun (Bayelsa) and James Odeniran (Oyo).
The second batch will attend the program in January 2016.
Head Coach Bala Nikyu has called 30 players to the camp of the U-17 girls national team ahead of a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture in January. All invited players have been instructed to report at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuye, Abuja on Thursday, 3rd December.
The Flamingos, who have qualified for and participated in every edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals since the competition was launched in New Zealand in 2008, will take on the winner of the Botswana/Namibia first round fixture.
Namibia won the away leg to Botswana 2-1 at the weekend.
Nikyu, who also coached the team at the last finals in Costa Rica early last year, has recalled brilliant attacking midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade of FC Robo. But new faces populate the list and Nikyu stated on Tuesday that “we need to start preparations early and we are happy the NFF has given us the go-ahead to start camp on Thursday, 3rd December.”
The 5th FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals will hold in Jordan, 30th September – 21st October, 2016. Flamingos reached the quarter -finals in Trinidad and Tobago (2010), Azerbaijan (2012) and Costa Rica (2014).
Vigilance and strict observance was required on the fourth day of racing at the Para World Sailing Championships being held out of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria in Williamstown, Melbourne, Australia.
With severe conditions forecast for the late afternoon, the race committee brought the starting time forward to 11:00 in an effort to beat the weather. Sailors from 31 nations racing in the three classes selected for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games were expecting a tough day and that is what they received.
Racing on all three courses began in wind strengths of eight to ten knots from the west. All crews noticed wild swings in wind direction. It was a day when crews had to be more observant than usual and ensure that they stayed in sync with the wind direction. Those who failed to do so paid a terrible price.
The SKUD18’s of the USA and Israeli teams were racing against the clock to replace their broken masts in time for the morning start, while Britain’s Helena Lucas had an anxious wait while a boat builder worked frantically through the night to repair a gaping hole in her boat’s transom. In the end the resources of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria based support personnel successfully managed to have all boats back in action in time for today’s first race.
Para World Sailing Championships 2015, Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Williamstown (Aus). 1/12/2015. Photo: Teri Dodds.
The SKUD18 started race 7 in 8 knots of breeze from the west, with 75% of the fleet electing to hold starboard tack off the start line and favour the left of the course. The British team of Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell set the early pace and rounded the top mark clear of the Italian and French crews. The Australians at this stage were some distance back in fourth place.
On the downwind leg, the Italian and British crews, working the southern side of the course, struggled to gain the upper hand while the Australians gybed away inside them. The gap between boats narrowed considerably on the next upwind leg, with the British boat maintaining control of the race. At the final rounding of the windward mark, the Australians rounded behind the British but ahead of the Italians, with a long gap back to the rest of the fleet. For a moment it seemed that the Australian boat had a chance for an unlikely win as it surfed towards the finish line in a good line of pressure on the northern side of the course while the British boat continued its steady progress on the southern side, trailed by the Italians.
When they gybed back towards the finish line, it became clear that Rickham and Birrell had actually extended their lead while Gualandris and Zanetti emerged ahead of Fitzgibbon and Tesch. It was a graphic illustration of the different wind direction on various parts of the course.
In race eight the Australians reversed the result on the British with the Italians third.
Total points scores with just three races remaining have Fitzgibbon and Tesch leading on nine points, followed by Rickham and Birrell on 20 and Gualandris and Zanetti on 26.
Para World Sailing Championships 2015, Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Williamstown (Aus). 1/12/2015. Photo: Teri Dodds.
American Dee Smith had a field day in the 2.4mR fleet today, emerging with first and third placings. Although Frenchman Damien Seguin failed to make the top six in race 7, he won race eight to remain in contention, with countryman Kevin Cantin second. The fleet was spread over the whole of the last leg in the last race, an indication of the difficulty many competitors had in reading the breeze.
Seguin leads on 16 points, Germany’s Heiko Kroeger has 21 with Australia’s Matt Bugg on 33.
The Sonar race committee set their course for race 8 in a breeze close to 15 knots, but that dropped to about half that strength at the start signal. Although the Australian boat started well in the centre of the line, they were caught in disturbed air and pinned down to prevent them from tacking away.
It was a case of “beware the wounded Frenchman”, after the crew of Eric Jourdren, Eric Flageul and Nicolas Vimont-Vicary were disqualified from race seven. Penalised by the on-course jury for pumping on the downwind leg, they responded with a one turn penalty instead of two and suffered the consequences. A determined crew started strongly on race eight and were never seriously challenged to take a decisive win.
The Australians had a miserable day. Having committed to the left hand side of the course, they watched in frustration as all the favourable wind shifts occurred on the right. They could not recover and had their worst result for the regatta with an 11th place. Things went slightly better in race eight, where they finished fifth.
“It was a really difficult day out there today,” said Australian coach Grant Alderson. “The good thing is that we still hold a comfortable lead with three races remaining and are on track.”
Para World Sailing Championships 2015, Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Williamstown (Aus). 1/12/2015. Photo: Teri Dodds.
That may have been an understatement. As the last boat passed through the gate to complete the first of two laps, the leaders were less than 200 metres from the top mark ready to commence the last leg of the race. There was a similar spread in the 2.4mR fleet.
Final standings for the Sonars show Harrison, Boaden and Harris leading with 14 points, ahead of Britain’s Robertson Strodel and Thomas with 28 and Jourdren, Flageul and Vimont-Vicary on 31 after today’s disqualification.
The penultimate day of competition will kick off at 13:00 on Wednesday 2 December.
The Romanian goalkeeper had a standout performance on Saturday against Stoke City. He made four saves in the match to gives his team their second clean sheet in a week.
Right back- Adam Smith (Bournemouth):
The English defender sparked life into the Cherries team. His passing and darting runs brought life into Bournemouth’s attack and he capped it off with the “Goal of the weekend”
Centre back- Chris Smalling (Manchester United):
The Englishman was at his best once again for Manchester United at the weekend. He kept record-breaking Jamie Vardy quiet for most part of the game. He made nine clearances against Leicester City on Saturday.
Centre back- Kurt Zouma (Chelsea):
The young French defender was outstanding against Tottenham on Sunday. He was commanding in the air and nullified the threat of Harry Kane.
Left back- Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland):
The Dutch defender had an outstanding performance against Stoke City and capped it off with a “cracking” goal.
Centre midfield- Fabian Delph (Manchester City):
The English midfielder had a good game at the weekend,building up play from the midfield. He capped off his outstanding performance with a goal.
Centre midfield- James McArthur (Crystal Palace):
The Scottish midfielder had a standout performance against Newcastle on Saturday. He “bossed” the midfield and scored two lovely goals.
Forward- Yannick Bolasie (Crystal Palace);
The Congolese winger was at his best at the weekend tormenting the Newcastle defenders with his trickery and pace. He capped it off with two well taken goals.
Forward- Junior Stanislas (Bournemouth):
The English winger had a standout performance against Everton scoring two crucial goals to help his team rescue a point at Vitality Stadium.
Forward- Ross Barkley (Everton):
Barkley continued his fine form at the weekend against Bournemouth. He had an outstanding game setting up Funes Mori’s goal and scoring a goal.
Striker- Jamie Vardy (Leicester City):
The Englishman continued his extraordinary goalscoring form at the weekend. He broke Ruud van Nistelrooy record by scoring in 11 consecutive premier league matches. Vardy is now just one short of equalling the all-time English record of 12 straight games set by Jimmy Dunne in the 1930s.
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