The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has announced the nominees for the 2015 Male and Female Para Table Tennis Stars for the 2015 ITTF Star Awards that will be held on 9 December 2015 in Lisbon, Portugal.
The 2015 ITTF Star Awards will be the third edition of the ITTF’s year-ending extravaganza to celebrate the achievements of athletes and coaches in 2015, this time in Lisbon’s emblematic city landmark of Patio da Gale.
Nominees in the running to be crowned the 2015 Male and Female Para Table Tennis Stars are:
Male Para Table Tennis Star presented by Tinsue:
Viktor Didukh a class 8 player from Ukraine – 2015 European Para Championships Champion
David Jacobs a class 10 player from Indonesia – 2015 Asian Para Championships Champion
Thomas Schmidberger a class 3 player from Germany – 2015 European Para Championships Runner-up
A total of 576 players from 119 nations contested the 2015 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas in another memorable year for the competition. Great Britain, led by Andy Murray, captured its first title in 79 years and tenth title overall by defeating Belgium 3-1 in the Final in Ghent on 27-29 November.
Davis Cup by BNP Paribas was played in 55 countries in 2015, with a total of 83 home-and-away ties and five group events held in the World Group and three regional zones: Americas, Asia/Oceania and Europe/Africa.
Over 39,000 fans attended the Final in Ghent, bringing the total attendance for Davis Cup by BNP Paribas in 2015 to over 530,000 spectators.
It was another successful year for Davis Cup by BNP Paribas on television, with the Final shown in 154 territories by 37 broadcasters. The British broadcaster BBC TV saw a peak audience of 5 million viewers and peak market share of 34 per cent on Sunday. The two Belgian rights holding broadcasters, VRT and RTBF, enjoyed peak market shares of 43 per cent and 23 per cent respectively. Throughout 2015, Davis Cup was shown in 161 territories by 58 broadcasters.
The Davis Cup websites in English and Spanish have shown a 6 per cent growth in 2015, with a record 6.9 million visits, 3.8 million unique visitors and over 30 million page views achieved by the end of the 2015 Final. The competition’s social media properties in English, Spanish and Chinese have seen a 23 per cent increase in users this year, with a total social media audience of 640,000, including 234,000 Twitter followers and 358,000 Facebook likes. The winning point between Andy Murray and David Goffin has been viewed 1.1 million times on Davis Cup Facebook, with an overall reach of 5.5 million.
It has been a strong year commercially for Davis Cup, with title sponsor BNP Paribas extending its current agreement for a further five years through 2021. The ITF signed a new international sponsorship agreement with Betway, and extended existing agreements with Rolex and Adecco. In addition beIN SPORTS became the Official Global Media Rights Partner for Davis Cup and Fed Cup in a seven-year agreement.
Andy Murray became the first player to win eight live singles rubbers in a calendar year since the introduction of the World Group in 1981, improving his Davis Cup by BNP Paribas singles win-loss record to 27-2. The world’s top five players (Novak Djokovic, Murray, Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Rafael Nadal) have now all won the Davis Cup, having contested a total of 107 Davis Cup ties and 232 rubbers among them.
A key factor in the success of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas has been the fan-focused campaign Show Your Colours, which promotes Davis Cup and Fed Cup as the world cups of tennis and has been used by all competing nations. Building on the unique team nature of both competitions, Show Your Colours uses branding elements for promotion, in-stadium activities and all of the ITF’s website and social media activity.
ITF President David Haggerty said: “It has been another memorable year for Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, with some outstanding player performances, strong attendance, and increasing TV and online audiences. The competition continues to inspire both players and fans throughout the world in the unique atmosphere of a team environment.”
Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in sport, with 119 teams taking part in 2015. The competition is 115 years old having been founded in 1900.
The World Ladies Billiards and Snooker Association (WLBSA) has become World Ladies Billiards and Snooker (WLBS) after becoming a subsidiary company of the WPBSA.
As part of a rebrand the WLBS is looking to restructure ladies snooker to ensure events and governance falls in line with WPBSA processes. The WLBS is looking to develop its events into a global calendar and is looking to work with National Governing Bodies to provide a fuller calendar of events and give opportunity for a fair rankings system for female players across the globe.
The former WLBSA board all retain their positions within WLBS, joined by WPBSA vice chairman Nigel Mawer who will be responsible for Discipline and Governance. WPBSA chairman and World Snooker director Jason Ferguson will also assist the board in an advisory role.
WLBS Board members:
President: Mandy Fisher
Vice President and Sports Development Director: Sharon Kaur
Company Secretary: Vicky Shirley
Marketing Director: Diana Schuler
Finance Director/Tournament Director: Clive Brown
Discipline and Governance: Nigel Mawer
Advisor to the board: Jason Ferguson
The WLBS board is currently working on development plans to increase female uptake of participation, refereeing and coaching.
WLBS President Many Fisher said: “I am looking forward to a bright future for Ladies Billiards & Snooker. These are two of the few sports where gender is no barrier and there is no reason why women can’t compete at the highest level, alongside men.”
WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson said: “There should be no boundaries to participate in sport. As Snooker’s World Governing Body we have a responsibility to provide opportunity for all. There is a demand for ladies snooker and there is no reason why ladies can’t compete at the highest standard. I am delighted to see this latest development coming together.”
The WLBS is looking to launch its new calendar for the 2016/17 season at the World Championship in Sheffield in April 2016. More information on 2015/16 events can be found at http://www.wlbsl.com
Stanley “Edo Boy” Eribo, billed to fight Sunday “Capo” Olalekan for the National Light Welterweight title at the GOtv Boxing Night on 26 December, has declared that he will win the N1.5million cash prize for the best boxer of the tournament.
The prize was at the first edition of GOtv Boxing Night in March 2014 and became more attractive when a cash of NI million and the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy were introduced as accompaniments. The sponsors have added an extra half a million naira for the coming edition.
The event is sponsored by GOtv and supported by MultiChoice, SuperSport, Newsbreak.ng, Bond FM, Complete Sports, Brilla FM, KSquare Security and Paragonis Multimedia Limited.
Speaking in Lagos during the week, Eribo, who has been in a training camp, said: “My time to win is now. I want to win the title and I also want the cash prize. I am certain of getting the two. In fact, I am already seeing my name on the cheque,” he bragged.
Stanley -Edo Boy- Eribo
Reminded that his opponent at the GOtv Boxing Night, billed for the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos, is a tough customer and hard puncher, Eribo said: “Capo is not in my category. I am a far better boxer. I have fought boxers who punch harder and they did not defeat me. I know how to handle them, but I won’t disclose how I do it,” he said.
Dr Amr Elwani was re-elected President of African Volleyball Confederation “CAVB” for the next 4 years after the elections during the 2015 Elective Congress in Alger, Algeria on Friday.
The Congress had 100% of the affiliated National Federations attending, for the first time in the history of the CAVB all the 53 NFs voted. Elwani got 33 votes against 10 votes for Idriss Dokony from Chad and 8 for David Kabre from Burkina Faso with 2 invalid votes.
Elwani has presided over CAVB since 2001 and he will now continue till 2019.
Elwani thanked all the delegates for choosing him to continue another mandate and promised to continue the development of African Volleyball in future with more credibility and transparency.
The 2015 boxing calendar draws to a close in style this weekend with a taste of what is to come next year with the Rio 2016 Olympic Boxing Test Event in Barra da Tijuca from 4-6 December. Top boxers from the men’s and women’s competition will get the chance to sample Rio’s unique atmosphere and give local boxing fans their own glimpse of what to expect inside the ring come August.
The draw was made on 3 December, with 16 female boxers taking part in the women’s Olympic flyweight, lightweight and middleweight classes, and 53 men competing across all ten of the male Olympic classes, from light flyweight to super heavyweight.
Among the big names on show is India’s five-time AIBA Women’s World Champion Chungneijang Mary Kom. The living legend returns from injury to face Venezuela’s AMBC American Women’s Champion Karlha Magliocco in her opening bout, while France’s AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Estelle Mossely will take on Mexico’s AMBC American Women’s Champion Victoria Torres in the pick of the lightweight action.
Morocco’s defending AIBA World Champion and WSB favourite Mohammed Rabii will be among the star attractions of the men’s competition, along with Uzbekistan’s own unbeaten WSB hero Hasanboy Dusmatov, who faces Venezuela’s Angelino Cordova in the first round of the light flyweight class.
Great Britain’s former AIBA Junior World Champion Luke McCormack might be one the most promising lightweight boxers in the world at the moment, but he will have a stern opening test in the form of Carlos Balderas, the sole American boxer to have already qualified for Rio 2016.
Also qualified is Thailand’s AIBA World Boxing Championship bronze medallist Wuttichai Masuk. The light welterweight will be able to get a precious first-hand preview of next year’s big event when he takes to the ring in the RioCentro venue against Swaziland’s Thabiso Dlamini.
Jimmy White, John Parrott and defending champion Mark Williams will be among the snooker favourites competing in the World Seniors Championship at the Guild Hall in Preston in January.
The Sky Sports-televised tournament runs on the weekend of January 30-31 and brings together green baize kings of the past three decades, together with current players, aged 40 or over.
Eight players have already been awarded places in the popular tournament:
Mark Williams – two time World Champion who won the Seniors crown on his debut in the event last year
Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White – crowd favourite and winner of ten ranking events
John Parrott – 1991 World Champion
Ken Doherty – 1997 World Champion
Joe Johnson – 1986 World Champion
Peter Ebdon – 2002 World Champion
Nigel Bond – 2012 World Seniors Champion
Darren Morgan – 2011 World Seniors Champion
The field will be made up by eight more players who come through qualifying rounds to be staged in Wigan from December 21 and 22.
Mark Williams
Welshman Williams, who beat Fergal O’Brien in the final last season, said: “I really enjoyed the World Seniors, especially lifting the trophy. It’s a lot of fun for the players and fans. I’ve had some special moments at the Guild Hall, it’s a fantastic venue and I’m looking forward to being back there.”
Tickets start at just £10 and fans are advised to BOOK FAST to see this celebration of snooker, as seats are selling rapidly. For details visit http://www.worldsnooker.com.tickets
Tickets for the qualifying rounds at Robin Park in Wigan are free, with fans encouraged to come and watch.
This is Game week 15 of our Bookies corner where we help Punters forecast on the best matches to put their money on.
Tobi Olubiyi’s (@tobipreety) predictions:
Italian Serie A
Bologna Vs Napoli – Napoli win:
Napoli have been impressive this season with just 1 defeat in 14games and currently the table toppers after their latest feat which was a win against Scudetto favourites Inter Milan at the Stadio San Paolo to extend their run of straight wins to 5 in all competition.
Bologna will have it tough albeit on their home turf against high flying Napoli who have not lost in 18 matches. Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain is in the form of his life scoring 12goals in 14 games.
I see Napoli getting the victory in this game against 18th placed Bologna.
Inter Milan Vs Genoa – Inter Milan win :
Genoa will be travelling to the San Siro stadium where they have not been able to get a victory since 1994 and on the back of just one win from their last 5 games. It’s also worth noting Mancini’s Inter are wounded lions at the moment after loosing their last game to League Leaders Napoli which was their first defeat in 8 matches.
The Nerazzurri will be looking to get inspiration up front from Mauro Icardi and Jovetic to get them the victory.
French Ligue 1
Bastia Vs Monaco – Monaco Win or draw:
Monaco have not been as dominating as they have been in recent years in the Ligue Un. With a fringe squad and a bunch of average players they would be lucky to make the Champions league place at the end of the season. A trip to Bastia could prove tricky as they have won only 1 of their last 5 games which included a hard-fought 3-all draw at the Stade Velodrome against Marseille.
I expect Monaco to get something out of this game and put a dent to Bastia’s current run of only defeat in their last 5 games.
St Etienne Vs Rennes – St Etienne Win:
The perennial Dark horses of the Ligue Un in recent years, St Etienne will host 9th placed Rennes who are 3 points behind them. St Etienne have recently been on a bad run with just a win in 5 matches in all competitions but to be fair to them they have come against relatively tough opposition facing Lyon, Marseille, Rosenborg, and Lille during this period. I expect Christophe Galtier’s men to get back to winning ways and get all 3 points at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
English Premier League
Arsenal Vs Sunderland – Arsenal win :
The Gunners are having their usual mid- season injury crisis with key players picking up injuries at the same time. Sanchez, Koscienly,Carzola, Walcott, Rosicky, Coquelin, Welbeck and a couple more players are injured for arsenal. There has been very few good news coming from the arsenal medical department and the Physio’s treatment table of late but there has been indications Koscienly and Walcott could play a part in this fixture against Sunderland. Arsenal will depend on the fine form of their assist-master Ozil who has been linking up well with their attackers and creating goals therby creating a new premier League record of assists in consecutive games.
The Black cats have currently jumped out of relegation waters with an impressive back to back wins under new manager Sam Allardyce. I see Arsenal getting the win at the Emirates staking their claim for their title push.
West Brom Vs Tottenham – Tottenham win :
Tony Pulis would be fired up for this one after back to back games against London clubs, winning against Arsenal and getting a point at West Ham. He will be looking on to spur his team to a victory against Spurs another London club,Pochettino’s men haven’t lost in 13 league games since the opening day and made Chelsea labour for a goalless draw last game. I believe this new look Tottenham with Harry Kane back in form will be too strong for West Brom and they will get the victory against the baggies.
Spanish La Liga
Gary Neville photo credit, pixgood.com
Valencia Vs Barcelona – Barcelona win:
This would be the first game after the Neville brothers re-United at Valencia since after their playing days together at Manchester United. They couldn’t have wished for a tougher opposition to kickstart thier la liga campaign as the catalans will come visiting at the Mestalla. Barcelona have been scoring goals without remorse and even put 6 past their King’s Cup opponents without needing the services of Neymar, Messi or Suarez who are the most inform trio in Europe’s top 5 leagues. Valencia would have their work cut out against Luis Enrique’s team who they have managed to defeat only once in their last 6 games together. I expect Barcelona to get maximum points away from home.
Athletic Bilbao Vs Malaga – Athletic Bilbao Win:
In form Bilbao will finally return to play infront of their home fans at the San Mames after playing 4 consecutive away games in all competitions and winning their last 3 consecutively. They would need goal scoring veteran Aduriz to kill off Malaga after his run of 10goals in 13 matches this season.
18th place Malaga are still wallowing in relegation waters after a bad run of 4 consecutive defeats in their last 5 matches. The Lions of San Mames led by coach Ernesto Valverde should be able to get a win in front of their home fans.
German Bundesliga
Wolfsburg Vs Dortmund – Both Teams score (BTTS):
An exciting game at the Volkswagen arena as the 2nd placed Dortmund will be battling 3rd placed Wolfsburg. The home team would be hoping to close the wide gap of 7points in between them. There has been goals from both teams in 5 of their last 6 games against each other and I expect that to continue on saturday. Wolfsburg have been scoring a lot of goals this season, finding the net 40 times in 13 Bundesliga matches. Especially with the form of Gabonese Striker Aubameyang who has 17goals in 14games and the best shot conversion ratio in Europe’s top 5 leagues.
These two teams are difficult to separate but I expect a lot of goals and I see both teams getting on the score sheet.
Borussia Dortmund
Ingolstadt Vs Hoffenheim – Under 2.5goal:
It’s been a dream start to life in Bundesliga for newly-promoted Ingolstadt who are currently 11th on the log after an impressive 5 wins and 4 draws in their 14games so far. Hoffenheim are rooted to the bottom of the table after picking up 1 win all season. These 2 teams are not fond of scoring a lot of goals as the home team have scored a dire 10 goals in 14 games, the lowest in the league while the visitors have scored 15 goals in 14 games. I don’t expect an explosive end to end game with lots of goals, I believe both teams will score less than a total of 3 goals in this game.
Paul Ayorinde’s (@el_pauleta) predictions:
Italian Serie A
Lazio V Juventus- Double chance on Juventus:
Lazio continued their bad form last weekend when they lost to by a lone goal to Empoli while Juventus continue their resurgent as they trashed Palermo 3-0 away from home. I expect Lazio to be fired up for this match but I tip Juventus to get at least a point at Stadio Olimpico on Friday night.
Inter Milan V Genoa- Inter win:
10-man Inter Milan lost 2-1 against Napoli on Monday night in an unlucky fashion while Genoa snatched a draw at home against newcomers Carpi. I am expect Mancini’s men to get back to winning ways this weekend. I tip Inter Milan to win at the San Siro on Saturday night.
English Premier League
Swansea City V Leicester City- Double chance on Leicester:
Swansea continued their poor form last weekend losing by a lone goal against Liverpool while Leicester got a well-deserved draw against Manchester United. Swansea have picked up just 1 point in their last four premier league games, so I don’t expect them to be much of a threat against Leicester on Saturday. I tip Leicester City to get at least a point at the Liberty stadium.
West Bromwich Albion V Tottenham- Double chance on Tottenham:
West Brom picked up a point at West Ham on Sunday while Tottenham played out a goalless draw against Chelsea at the weekend to extend their unbeaten run to 13 Premier League matches. West Brom are on a good run of form, so i expect this match to tough for Tottenham. I tip Tottenham to get a point at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
Newcastle V Liverpool- Liverpool win:
Newcastle continued their abysmal form losing 5-1 against Crystal Palace in Game week 14 while Liverpool defeated Swansea 1-0 at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s men are in rich-vein of form after defeating Southampton 6-1 in the League Cup. I tip Liverpool to win convincingly at St James’ park on Sunday.
Spanish LIGA BBVA
Valencia V Barcelona- Barcelona win:
Valencia lost away from home last weekend to struggling Sevilla in a match that ended the reign of Nuno Espirito Santo while Barcelona continue their winning run defeating Real Sociedad 4-0 at Camp Nou. I expect Barcelona to be too strong for Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday. I tip Barcelona to win in an entertaining match.
Deportivo La Coruna V Sevilla- Double chance on Deportivo:
Deportivo defeated Las Palmas away from home in Game week 13 while Sevilla got a lone goal victory against Valencia. Deportivo have lost just one game in their last five Liga BBVA matches, so i tip them to get at least a point at home on Saturday.
German Bundesliga
Cologne V Augsburg- Double chance on Cologne:
Cologne played a goalless draw against Darmstadt last weekend while Augsburg also played a goalless draw against Wolfsburg. I expect the match to be tight because both teams give extra details to defending. I tip Cologne to get at least a point at home on Saturday.
Wolfsburg V Borussia Dortmund- Both teams to score(BTTS):
Wolfsburg played a goalless draw with Augsburg last weekend while Dortmund defeated Stuttgart 4-1. In the last 3 Bundesliga meetings between Wolfsburg and Dortmund at the Volkswagen Arena both teams got on the score sheet, so I expect the trend to continue this weekend. I tip Both teams to score at Volkswagen Arena on Saturday night.
French Ligue 1
Ajaccio V Nantes- Double chance on Ajaccio:
Ajaccio continued their impressive form with an away win at Montpellier on Wednesday while Nantes held Olympique Lyon to a goalless draw on Tuesday night. I tip Ajaccio to get at least a point at home on Saturday.
After seven Olympic Games, and an international career that started back in 1983 as a 13 year old, former world number one Jean-Michel SAIVE has retired from international table tennis.
The 46-year-old table tennis legend made the announcement at a specially organised press conference held at the National Olympic Committee Headquarters in Brussels on Thursday 3rd December.
“Before the European Games in June in Baku I thought that I could combine the committee work that I’ve been doing with playing”, said the Belgium hero, who amongst several such roles is the President of the Athletes Commission for European National Olympic Committees.
“Trying to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games was very much in my mind, but after Baku and then following my performances on the ITTF World Tour, I started to think again”, added SAIVE. “If you are going to play in events like the Olympic Games you must be 200 per cent committed, it can’t be part time.”
It was a dilemma for Jean-Michel SAIVE; playing in an eighth consecutive Olympic Games would have put him in a category that would have been special in the whole Olympic movement not just the table tennis events.
“What if I played well and qualified, I could well be taking the place of a younger player. During the summer I kept thinking about retirement from international play, it kept tossing and turning in my mind. Now after several months of thought, I’m sure, really I have peace of mind with the decision.”
An international career closes, it is a career that is not just one of a plethora of titles, it is much more.
In 1983, only 13 years old at the time, he was very much the fourth player in a Belgian team at the World Championships in Tokyo. Just under two decades later at the World Championships in Osaka in 2001, led by SAIVE, Belgium finished in second place behind the mighty China.
In the intervening years, Jean-Michel SAIVE enjoyed a host of successes, notably being the Men’s Singles runner up at the World Championships in Gothenburg in 1993, and then the following year winning the Europe Top 12 in Arezzo and in Birmingham crowned European champion.
During this golden period for SAIVE, in 1994 and 1995 he spent 515 days in the no.1 spot on the World Rankings and regained the position in 1996 after winning his first Men’s Singles Qatar Open title.
“The announcement that Jean-Michel Saive will retire from active competition in table tennis did surprise me a bit but I was not shocked. I thought that Jean-Michel would compete until his last day in this world”, was the reaction of Adham SHARARA, Chair and Honorary President of the International Table Tennis Federation who is one of many who holds Jean-Michel SAIVE in high esteem.
“I believe that Jean-Michel has a great opportunity for a career in sports management and, as he has successfully started, in sports leadership”, added Adham SHARARA. “The world table tennis community is very proud of ‘our’ Jean-Michel SAIVE and we will support him in all his endeavours.”
Thanks for the Memories Jean-Michel Saive!
One record that SAIVE holds that will not be broken anytime soon is his remarkable 24 World Championships appearances. Also the fact that he has played in every Olympic Games since table tennis was included in Seoul in 1988.
There are few players who in the past 30 years have entertained the crowds more than Jean-Michel SAIVE! He is highly respected not only for his achievements but for his dedication to sport, always he has upheld the highest values, play hard, play fairly, be gracious whether in victory or defeat.
Thirteen nations have qualified for places at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition following the Para World Sailing Championships being held out of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria in Williamstown, Melbourne, Australia.
Seven One-Person Keelboat (2.4mR) spots, five Two-Person Keelboat (SKUD18) places and six Three-Person Keelboat (Sonar) slots were allocated to the following nations at the 2015 Para World Sailing Championships:
Para World Sailing Championships 2015, Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Williamstown (Aus). 2/12/2015. Photo: Teri Dodds.
One-Person Keelboat – 2.4mR
Austria
Argentina
Czech Republic
Italy
New Zealand
Sweden
Spain
Two-Person Keelboat – SKUD18
Netherlands
New Zealand
Poland
Singapore
Spain
Three-Person Keelboat – Sonar
Ireland
Israel
Italy
New Zealand
Spain
USA
Para World Sailing Championships 2015, Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Williamstown (Aus). 2/12/2015. Photo: Teri Dodds.
Away from the road to Rio, the competition concluded with Damien Seguin (FRA) taking gold in the 2.4mR with Dan Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch (AUS) defending their title in the SKUD18. And there were some wild celebrations in the Sonar as John Robertson, Steve Thomas and Hannah Stodel (GBR) snapped up the title.
Several athletes will remain in Williamstown for the next ten days with several crews competing at Sailing World Cup Melbourne. From thereon in it’s into 2016, Paralympic year, and sailors will have their eye on the 2016 Para World Sailing Championships in Medemblik, the Netherlands along the way.
Bangladesh and Ireland have booked the last two coveted places in next year’s ICC Women’s World Twenty20 India 2016 when they won their respective semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier Thailand 2015, over Zimbabwe and Scotland respectively, in Bangkok on Thursday.
Bangladesh and Ireland will now 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.
In the first match of the day at Thailand Cricket Ground, Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by 31 runs to book their place in the final of the Trophy and a place on the plane to India. Having been restricted to 89 for five wickets, thanks in large part to Fargana Hoque’s run-a-ball 43, an inspired bowling display, led by Rumana Ahmed (who took four wickets for eight) then helped the Asian side to victory as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 58.
Speaking after the first semi final, a delighted Jahanara Alam, Bangladesh Women’s captain, said: “From the beginning, we were under a little pressure. The wicket wasn’t good, it was on the slower side. But Sharmin and Fargana got a very good partnership, which is why we reached 89. We had the confidence, we knew if we scored 80-plus, then we have a strong bowling and fielding side. We again proved that we are a good side. The team is very happy, there is a lot of excitement today. This is the first time we have qualified for the ICC Women’s World T20. Last time, we directly played in the event, but this time we needed to qualify, so we’re very happy.”
Ireland secure place in ICC Women’s World Twenty20 India 2016
The action then turned to a showdown between European rivals Ireland and Scotland. Teenager Lucy O’Reilly put in a disciplined display and clinched two late wickets to claim figures of three for 16, with Robyn Lewis chipping in with two wickets for eight runs as Scotland reached 77 for nine, thanks in large part to Fi Urquhart’s 21. In reply, Ireland started strongly and maintained that momentum throughout with openers Clare Shillington (34) and Cecelia Joyce (36 not out) leading from the front with a first wicket partnership of 58 that helped Ireland chase down the target with nine wickets and 8.3 overs to spare.
Ahead of Saturday’s final, Ireland captain Isobel Joyce has hailed her side’s efforts in overcoming Scotland. “We’re really excited and this was the aim for us since we knew the tournament was going to be in Thailand. We really want to win the tournament, but the first job is done for us.
“Cecelia (Joyce) and Shillers (Clare Shillington) know that they have licence to play their shots and they really took the wind out of Scotland’s sails early on. Lucy (O’Reilly) is our number one fielder and our go-to bowler when we need to finish off the innings. She has got a lot of different balls in her armory and it’s unbelievable to think that she’s only 16 years old, so we’ll be looking forward to seeing what she can do in India.
“It’s on to Bangladesh now and we will take it one match at a time. The plan will be to focus on our game because they (Bangladesh) have very smart spinners. But we will play the balls that are bowled (to us) and do our best.”
Meanwhile, in the Shield semi-finals, Papua New Guinea clinched a one-wicket last ball victory over the Netherlands and will now face China who defeated host Thailand by five runs.
The losing sides in both the Trophy – Zimbabwe and Scotland – and the Shield – Netherlands and Thailand – will now face off in a third/fourth place play-offs.
Papua New Guinea Women, 106-9, 20 overs (Pauke Siaka 31, Sibona Jimmy 21; Christine Erkelens 3-9)
Papua New Guinea won by 1 wicket
Player of the Match: Pauke Siaka (Papua New Guinea Women)
At Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok
China Women, 82, 20 overs (C Zhou 31; S Laomi 2-16)
Thailand Women, 77-8, 20 overs (O Kamchomphu 11; L Yingying 2-3, F Song 1-13)
China won by 5 runs
Player of the Match: L Yingying (China Women)
Saturday’s fixtures:
1000-1245: 3/4 Trophy P-Off – Zimbabwe v Scotland, TCG
1000-1245: 3/4 Shield P-Off – Netherlands v Thailand, AIT
1345-1630: Trophy Final – Bangladesh v Ireland, TCG
1345-1630: Shield Final – Papua New Guinea v China, AIT
African Volleyball Confederation “CAVB” Elective Congress opened on Thursday at Hilton Hotel in Alger, Algeria in presence of guests of honour led by FIVB President Dr Ary Graca and Algerian Minister of Sport El Hadi Ould Ali.
CAVB President Dr Amr Elwani opened the ceremony with a welcome speech to the FIVB president, the Algerian Minister and all the delegates.
“We appreciate the great work done by Algerian Volleyball Federation and the Algerian Authorities to host the 2015 CAVB Elective Congress here in Algeria,” said Elwani
“I want to thank also the FIVB President Dr Ary Graca for his attendance and continued support to the African NFs.”
FIVB President Dr Ary Graca congratulated Africa for the unprecedented attendance of the National Federations to the congress. He also appreciated the work done by the Algerian VB Federation to host the congress
CAVB treasurer Habu Gumel presenting the financial report
newfanzone 