Sunshine Stars of Akure, has been tipped to do better than its sixth place in the last season of the Nigeria Professional Football League. Speaking during an interview Wahab B,the media officer of the Akure team, Wahab Bankole, expressed confidence that the team would fare better,in the new season. “We are getting ready to do better than we did in the last season,” he said.
“We have also began the recruitment of top quality players, as well as improving upon our welfare packages and remuneration for players and officials,” he disclosed.
Sunshine Queens of Akure
Concerning the plans by the League Management Company to stop debtor clubs from taking part in the transfer activities for the new season, the experienced media officer, explained that his team remains one of the few teams who have paid their players up to date. “I can confidently state that our players are well taken care of and we are not owing more than a month. And that, I would say, is a big plus to our management. By and large, I think the LMC, should do all it can to ensure that erring teams are compelled to pay their players and officials as at when due,” he added.
Bankole went ahead to admonish the league body to be proactive and ensure that its rules are strictly applied. He particularly, lamented the inability of the league body to deduct points from teams that refused to pay their
players, last season. Speaking further, he praised the efforts of its just departed coach, Kennedy Boboye, who has since been replaced by Samson Unuanel.
Sunshine Stars, Akure Stadium
“kennedy Boboye is a very good coach and we really appreciate what he did for the team last season. However, we are poised to move the team to greater heights. And I believe, the appointment of Samson Unuanel, would see us doing better than last season,” the versatile journalist enthused.
Continuing, he promised the fans of Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens of the commitment of the management and the government to consolidate on the achievements of both teams, particularly the Sunshine Queens, who won the Federation Cup, for the first time in the 31 years history of the state.
The 11th edition of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup will be played across four cities in Bangladesh from January 27 to February 14, featuring nine Test-playing nations and seven the Associate and Affiliate members – Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Namibia, Nepal and Scotland.
To be asked to represent your country at a world-level tournament is any budding teenage cricketer’s dream, but to take part in two editions before turning 19 is a remarkable accomplishment reserved for a select band who display talent beyond their years.
Bangladesh’s Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hassan Miraz enjoys the rare distinction of captaining his nation in both the 2014 and 2016 events. Mehidy, who celebrated his 18th birthday in October, had not turned 16 when he led the team in the UAE.
Besides Mehidy, the hosts have four other players with previous experience of having taken part in the sport’s premier age-group tournament. They are Najmul Hossain, Joyraj Sheik, Zakir Hasan and Saeed Sarker.
Mehidy was confident that Bangladesh, which finished ninth in 2014, will be a force to reckon with on home soil.
“The fact that many of us have been in the under-19 team for more than two years means that we are fairly experienced at this level,” the Bangladesh captain said. “We pretty much have the same set of coaches and team management who understand our needs.”
Defending champion South Africa, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will take the field with a fresh set of cricketers, but most of the other teams have players with previous experience in the tournament.
Three-time former champions India has in its ranks Sarfaraz Khan, Ricky Bhui and Avesh Khan, who helped their team finish fifth in the UAE.
Sarfaraz, one of India’s brightest young batsmen who turns out for Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, insisted he had an unfinished business at hand in Bangladesh.
“Our hopes of defending the title in 2014 were dashed when we lost to England in the quarter-finals,” the stocky batsman said. “That really hurts and we are determined to go all the way this time.
“It helps to have played at the senior level in domestic cricket but I can’t be complacent about that. We will be competing against the world’s best junior players in Bangladesh. I just want to do well and help my team win.”
Afghanistan has retained four members of the squad that finished seventh in 2014. They are Ihsanullah Janat, who is now the captain, Muslim Musa, Waheed Shafaq and Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar.
“It is a big plus to have four players from the last World Cup because they can utilise their experience for the benefit of other players,” said Ihsanullah.
Abraash Khan of Canada, Shimron Hetmyer of the West Indies and New Zealand’s Josh Finnie will return as captains of their respective teams hoping to better the 2014 performances where the West Indies finished sixth, New Zealand 10th and Canada 15th.
“The chance for me to go to two World Cups is obviously pretty special,” said Finnie. “The call up for the last one was unexpected and while I didn’t get much game time, the experience of going over to Dubai and being part of the tournament will hopefully help out in this year’s campaign.”
Namibia’s squad includes two members of their 2014 squad that finished 14th with Zane Green taking over as captain and SJ loftie-Eaton a key member of the side.
“I think the positives for myself and SJ is that we have experienced the taste of playing in such a big tournament and we know what to expect,” said Green. “We can use that experience to help the younger players in our team perform better in different scenarios.”
Ryan Brown is the only Scotland player making his second appearance in the tournament. He played just one match in 2014 where he took two wickets for 18 runs.
“The 2014 World Cup was an amazing experience,” said Brown. “It was a huge learning curve in terms of increased media attention, more intense rules and regulations and even higher quality of cricket.”
Nepal and Ireland did not qualify in 2014, while Fiji is the only newcomer to the event.
The World Rowing Federation (FISA) is pleased to announce Royal Ahrend as the first Official Supplier to the Kafue River & Rowing Centre in Zambia. The Kafue Centre is a unique, multi-purpose facility to be operated by the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) which brings together water research, education and rowing.
Royal Ahrend is an international leader in office furniture committed to delivering contemporary and highly sustainable office lifestyles to corporate end-users around the world.
The Company will provide the Kafue Centre with a combination of cash and expertise to design the interior furnishings of the Centre, as well as supply all of the necessary furniture and furnishings to make the design a reality. Royal Ahrend has also committed to organise fundraising events in its key markets that will generate additional funds for the Kafue Centre.
“As a global company we are fully aware of fresh water issues that face all of us and are committed to the sustainable use of water in the production of our products,” says Royal Ahrend’s Vice President Jiri Kejval. “So it was an easy decision to put our support behind the Kafue Centre. We believe that this collaborative venture will play an important role in a enabling a wider and better understanding of the world’s water challenges and will help to open the door to similar projects that World Rowing and WWF will establish in other parts of the world. On a personal level, as a rower myself, water has always been an essential part of my life and I am committed to this project.”
“Royal Ahrend has enabled us to take a big step towards making the Kafue River & Rowing Centre a reality,” says FISA president Jean-Christophe Rolland, “and for this we are very grateful to Royal Ahrend and, especially to the initiative of Jiri. For FISA and WWF, this project is incredibly important – both for the sport of rowing and world-class water management research and we need this kind of valuable support. Already the rowing community has shown its dedication to clean water through a considerable number of individual donations.”
All budding snooker players will have the chance to qualify for the sport’s professional tour at Q School 2016.
The tournament will start on May 11 and will be staged at the Meadowside Leisure Centre in Burton.
Once again there will be EIGHT TWO-YEAR TOUR CARDS available, given to the semi-finalists in each of two events. The entry fee remains £600 and Q School is open to players of all ages and nationalities (subject to terms and conditions).
Those eight players will go on to compete on the World Snooker Tour, travelling the globe to play in the biggest tournaments, with many millions of pounds in prize money up for grabs.
Entries are now being taken, just go to http://www.wsplayers.com and follow the instructions. All players are strongly advised to get their entry in as soon as possible. The closing date for entering Q School is Wednesday April 6 at 12pm.
World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “Opportunity for all is an integral part of sport and that’s why we launched Q School back in 2011. Since then we’ve seen hundreds of players competing for a coveted place on our tour. Each year only the best eight make it. So it’s time to ask yourself the question: will you be one of those in 2016? Have you got the talent, the determination and the temperament to get through the field and earn professional status? If the answer is yes, get your name down NOW for Q school.
“There has never been a better time to be a snooker player. Next season we are adding several brand new ranking events to the calendar, so the schedule will be busier than ever, and the level of prize money higher than ever. There will be no resting on our laurels and the tour will continue to grow. So the players who take the opportunities open to them will truly be living the dream.
“Over the past five years, Q School has proved the best and fairest way for players to qualify for the tour. It is played in fantastic conditions at an excellent venue in Burton so there are no excuses. The best will rise to the top. Now is the time to get on board. Get your name down for Q School because it could change your life.”
As in previous years, a ranking list will be compiled during Q School, with players earning one point for every frame won. During the main tour season, should any of the tournament draws fall below a total entry of 128 then the field will be topped up with the highest ranked players from the Q-School list who have not gained one of the eight tour cards.
Adam Duffy finished third on the same list last year and has gained entry into every ranking event so far this season. At the UK Championship in York he scored a memorable win over Ding Junhui in the first round. He said: “The fantastic thing about Q School is that even if you don’t earn a tour card, you can still get the chance to play in a lot of major events, and you could end up on TV against one of the top stars. Every match you win in Q School counts. Beating Ding at the UK Championship was a great moment for me and hopefully there will be many more wins like that to come.”
So don’t forget…enter Q School today, and chase your dream! For more details see
The Director, Aspire Football Dreams (Nigeria), Colonel Sam Ahmedu (rtd) on Wednesday paid a condolence visit to the NFF Secretariat, lamenting the death of the Federation’s Head of Protocol, Ibrahim Abubakar.
Abubakar was killed on Wednesday, 6th January by gunmen who stormed his house in Kado Estate, Gwarinpa in the early hours.
“The death of ‘Ibro’ remains very shocking. It is a tragic thing and we can only pray that God will comfort the NFF and the young family that the ‘Ibro’ has left behind.
“On behalf of Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence, I condole you and pray that this kind of thing never happens again in NFF and in Nigeria football generally.”
Director, Aspire Football Dreams (Nigeria), Colonel Sam Ahmedu
Ahmedu, who is also president of Zone 3 of basketball’s FIBA Africa, was received by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who thanked Ahmedu and Aspire Academy for their sympathy.
Col. Ahmedu’s visit preceded an eighth day fidau prayer for the soul of the late Abubakar organized by the Management and Staff of the Nigeria Football Federation at the Secretariat.
Egypt men’s volleyball team claimed their fourth Olympic Games ticket in their history following their exciting victory against rivals Tunisia 3-2 ((25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 19-25, 16-14) in the Men’s African Olympic qualification tournament final at Elende Hall in Brazzaville, Congo on Tuesday.
Egypt crowned
The final was a great battle lasting 133 minutes of thrills from both sides. After Egypt led 25-19, Tunisia fought back with the activity of Hichem Kaabi to win the second set 25-20 and draw 1-1. Egyptian super star Ahmed Salah came back with his left handed spikes to lead Egypt to win the third set 25-18, before Tunisia rebounded for the second time to win the fourth set 25-19. The tiebreak continued the exciting action as it went point by point till the game was drawn at 14-14 when Egypt edged the tough face off 16-14 to clinch the Olympic ticket.
Algeria claimed the third position after they topped Cameroon 3-2 (18-25, 26-24, 25-13, 18-25, 15-13) in epic encounter to keep their dreams alive for an Olympic ticket with the second ranked Tunisia through the World Olympic Qualifiers.
The VIS team
This is the fourth qualification for Egypt to the finals of Olympic Games after Los Angeles 1984, Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008 against 6 previous qualifications for Tunisia in 1972 (Munich), 1984 (Los Angeles), 1988 (Seoul), 1996 (Atlanta), 2004 (Athens), 2012 (London).
– St.Etienne have completed the signing of Oussama Tannane from Heracles on a four and a half year deal.
– Basel have completed the signing of Renato Steffen from Young Boys.
– Atalanta have signed Alessandro Diamanti from Watford on loan until the end of the season.
– Palermo have completed the signing of Hungarian forward Norbert Balogh from Debrecen.
– Juan Camilo Zuniga has joined Bologna on a six-month loan from Napoli.
Today’s reports and rumours:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Dortmund and Dante of Munich compete for the ball photo credit ar.fifa.com
– Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed he wants to stay and win trophies at Borussia Dortmund.
– Manchester United are preparing a €40 million summer offer for AC Milan’s 16-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to reports in Italy.
– Schalke defender Joel Matip is set to join Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer, according to reports in England.
– West Brom have had their £7.5million bid for Angers’ Cheikh N’Doye rejected, according to reports.
– According to reports in Spain, Barcelona are close to signing Celta Vigo forward Nolito.
– The father of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez says his son is happy where he is at the moment despite links with Manchester United.
– Bordeaux want to use some of the money they received from the sale of Henri Saivet to Newcastle in order to buy Red Star Belgrade centre back Vukasin Jovanovic.
– Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Veratti’s agent says his client is more likely to join Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern Munich than move to Spain.
– Manchester United are pursuing Valencia midfielder Andre Gomes after their move for Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez was blocked, according to reports.
– Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs says Nicklas Bendtner is still in the club’s plans.
– Paris Saint-Germain are keeping an eye on Partizan Belgrade winger Andrija Zivkovic, according to L’Equipe.
– Bournemouth will attempt to “hijack” West Brom’s £8m move for QPR winger Matt Phillips, according to reports.
Louis Van Gaal
– Austrian centre-back Aleksandar Dragovic is set to become Manchester United’s first signing of the January transfer window, according to reports.
– One of Ezequiel Lavezzi’s agents, Alessandro Moggi is not sure the player will leave PSG in January, but indicated Inter Milan are interested and talks could be held with Chelsea.
– Liverpool are keeping tabs on Sweden international Emil Forsberg ahead of a possible bid this summer, according to
reports.
– Abdul Baba Rahman admits he is frustrated about the lack of first team playing time he has received since moving to Chelsea.
– New Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane wants to bring French midfielder Paul Pogba to Madrid to be his first Galatico signing, according to reports in Spain.
– AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani confirms the Luiz Adriano will move to China, Stephan El Shaarawy could stay and Gigio Donnarumma offers will be rejected.
– Genoa face competition from Spanish sides Levante and Getafe to loan Fiorentina forward Giuseppe Rossi, according to reports.
– Adriano’s agent confirmed “Roma and Barcelona are discussing a loan deal, but there is nothing completed yet.”
Football tit bits:
– Valencia have reappointed Jesus Garcia Pitarch as sporting director in a bid to help turn around the club’s fortunes.
– Andy Carroll is anxiously awaiting the results of a scan on the hamstring injury he suffered at Bournemouth on Tuesday but the early indication is the West Ham United striker will be out for between four and six weeks.
– FIFA has fined the football associations of Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay for homophobic chants by fans.
– Spain’s national court has ordered Neymar to testify in an investigation into alleged irregularities involving his transfer to Barcelona. The Brazil striker is set to testify on the 2nd of February.
– Chelsea have had their ticket allocation for their Champions League last-16 match with Paris Saint-Germain cut because of the heightened security level in the French capital and the behaviour of their fans last year.
– Roma have parted company with their head coach Rudi Garcia and are expected to appoint Luciano Spalletti as his replacement.
– World football’s governing body FIFA has dismissed suspended secretary general Jerome Valcke with immediate effect.
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