The ICC has announced the match officials for the upcoming ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016, to be held from 27 January to 14 February in Bangladesh.
Andy Pycroft of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees along with Devdas Govindjee and Graeme La Brooy from the ICC Regional Referees Panel will be the match referees for the tournament, while the on-field umpires will be drawn from the International Panel of ICC Umpires, and the ICC Associate and Affiliate Panel of International Umpires.
International panel umpires include Ahmad Shahab, Ahsan Raza, Anisur Rahman, Gregory Brathwaite, Chettithody Shamshuddin, Enamul Hoque Moni, Robert Bailey, Nigel Duguid, Adrian Holdstock, Mick Martell, Jeremiah Matibiri, Phillip Jones, Tim Robinson, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Langton Rusere, Raveendra Wimalasiri and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid.
The only umpire from the Associate and Affiliate panel is Ian Ramage.
Chettithody Shamshuddin and Tim Robinson will be the on-field umpires for the tournament opener between host Bangladesh and defending champion South Africa to be played at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) in Chittagong on Wednesday, 27 January. Phillip Jones will be the TV umpires, while Graeme La Brooy will be the match referee.
On the same day at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, England will take on Fiji. The on-field umpires for this match will be Ahsan Raza and Mick Martell with Devdas Govindjee as the match referee.
Adrian Griffith, ICC’s Senior Manager – Umpires and Referee, said: “The panel for this tournament represents an outstanding cross-section of international officials who are among the most experienced currently standing in international cricket. The players will benefit from the calibre of the match officials, with the game’s best young talent exposed to umpiring and refereeing of a high international standard.”
For all matches, two on-field umpires and a reserve official will be appointed, while for televised matches a TV umpire will also form part of the playing control team. In some of the first round matches, the fourth official will be a local appointment.
The curtain finally goes up on Season VI of the World Series of Boxing this weekend, as Turkiye Conquerors tackle the China Dragons on a big night of boxing in Istanbul. The match marks the home team’s debut against an Asian outfit that joined WSB in Season V, meaning both teams will be desperate to begin their campaigns with a victory.
It is a welcome return to WSB for a Turkish franchise, with Istanbul Bospherous having been involved in Season I and II of the competition. Six years on and with a format shift to countries rather than individual cities, the boxers will be keen to impress infront of their fans on Saturday night. In the opposite corner is a China Dragons side who finished sixth in their group last season ahead of notable rivals the British Lionhearts and Algeria Desert Hawks, and will be keen to use that experience to qualify for the knockout phase this time around.
Five weight classes will be in action from 19.30 (GMT) on Saturday at Istanbul’s Bagcilar Sport Complex: Light Flyweight (49kg), Bantamweight (56kg), Light Welterweight (64kg), Middleweight (75kg) and Heavyweight (91kg), with all the action streamed live on the WSB YouTube channel.
The opening bout of Season VI will see Turkiye Conquerors strong light flyweight Hamza Kartal take on China Dragons’ technician He Junjun it what could be the standout match of the evening. Both boxers have good WSB experience under their belts, with Junjun winning three times against top opponents in Season V. In the night’s second encounter, Hakan Cigdem, who only recently moved up to the bantamweight class, will be braced for a tough time against China’s Xu Boxiang as he looks to make his mark on WSB debut.
London 2012 Olympian Yakup Sener is the most senior Turkish boxer in their line up, back in his preferred light welterweight class and with a great chance of defeating Dragons newcomer Meng Caicheng. Another experienced Turk in the ring on Saturday will be their National Championships bronze medalist Evren Tibukoglu, who was involved in WSB Season I and will be looking to overcome China’s Zhao Minggang.
The final bout of the night will see Turkey’s top heavyweight Seyda Keser eager to close the night on a high and show what he can do against China’s 20-year-old Yu Fengkai, himself no stranger to the big stage having competed at last year’s ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships in Bangkok.
The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are set to grow closer with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards the development of football in the two confederations.
The MoU which will be valid for four (4) years and open to renewal is to strengthen cooperation between the two confederations and provide a framework for exchanges on competitions and formation.
This will be achieved through the sharing of information, experience, initiating high level competitions, conducting joint technical development programs in various fields such as: Coaching, Refereeing, Youth football, Women’s football, Integrity, Administration, Marketing, Media and Innovative technologies.
CAF President Issa Hayatou said “the signing of MOU is not new in the long existing relationship between two confederations. Such partnerships have linked us in the past through several exchanges and through competitions and high level matches.
“Today we are here to re-launch a cooperation that will be beneficial to the two Confederations after several months of work. The first four years will strengthen, intensify cooperation and strengthen the capacity of various stakeholders in Africa and Asia. This is an opportunity that will further contribute to African football development”.
On his part, AFC President, Shaikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said “this is indeed a memorable day when our two great confederations come together in the spirit of friendship and co-operation.
“Africa and Asia are two great continents. Two great football continents who have made a dramatic impact on the global football stage in this century. Both of us have aspirations and expectations of staging future tournaments not only the World Cup but also in women and age group competitions.
CAF President Issa Hayatou with AFC President, Shaikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa
“Now this agreement will lay a permanent foundation to this great progress – it will under pin this development by our great two confederations. Both Confederations recognise the benefits of formalising our existing ties. The agreement will deliver a legacy of not just sporting but also cultural, social and educational benefits for both continents.
“In this agreement we will be sharing information and experiences as well as developing high level competitions and joint development programmes”.
CAF President Hayatou, and his AFC counterpart signed the MoU of mutual co-operation on development of football on behalf the two confederations, assisted by Hicham El Amrani, General Secretary of CAF and Dato’ Windsor John, General Secretary of the AFC.
Nigeria on Friday won four gold and three silver medals in the doubles events of the 2016 ITF/CAT West and Central Africa Junior Championships holding at the National Tennis Centre, Abuja.
In the Boys’12&u doubles final, Daniel Adeleye and Sulaiman Ibrahim defeated Kabba of Togo and Kamara of Sierra Leone while in the Boys’ 14&u, Michael Osewa and Friday Gabriel paired to beat their fellow Nigerians Saminu Abubakar and Musa Sani 7-6 (3), 6-4.
in the Girls’ 16&u, Adetayo Adetunji combined with Angel McLeod to beat Mattu Kamara of Sierra Leone and Linda Eloundou of Cameroun 6-0, 7-5 to clinch the title while in the 14&u, Barakat Quadri and Marylove Edwards saw off Anna Lumengo and Manuella Eloundou of Cameroun 6-3, 6-4.
Nigeria however, had to settle for silver medals in the Boys’ 16&u as Christopher Itodo and Peter Lawal lost to Dalmas N’tchaa of Benin and Jacques Sewavi of Togo 6-4, 6-2.
It was the same story in the Girls’ 12&u as Timiprie Maxwell and Rebecca Ekpeyong succumbed to Sedjo Coulibaly of Cote d’Ivoire and Indira Maffo Ronkan of Gabon 1-6, 6-4, 10-5.
The final of the tournament which is featuring 12 countries will be played on today with Nigeria competing in the 16&u final for boys and girls while there will be an all-Nigeria final in the boys’ 14&u singles as Osewa faces Gabriel while Quadri and Edwards clash for the girls’ 14&u title.
The other singles final involving two Nigerians is between Adeleye and Ibrahim in the boys’ 12&u. The championship which features 10 countries serves as qualifier for the African Junior Championship in Pretoria, South Africa in March.
Female footballers from different parts of the country have converged in Lagos and involved in tense competition and displays of skills in the Annual Amalgamation of Nigeria Women Football Club Coaches Tournament. The tournament which kicked off at the Hockey pitch, National Stadium Lagos, on the 4th of January, has 14 teams parading the colours of
different countries in a World Cup format.
The tournament which at in the semi-finals stage ends today with the final game slated to be played at the Legacy pitch.
Speaking in an interview at the National Stadium, the Chairman of the LOC, Hans Kramer, lauded the
commitment of the coaches, officials and the display of skills by the players in the tournament.
According to the Swiss-born female football expert, the essence of the tournament is to keep the young girls busy and off the streets, as well as, providing professional and premier club sides, with fresh talents.
Speaking further, he lamented the lack of interest shown to grassroots football by the NFF. However, he commended the Embassy of China, Marshal Star, Liebherr, amongst others for the support given to the tournament.
Hans Kramer flanked on both sides by some players at the tournament
Kramer also thanked the Nigeria Institute of Sports, for providing accommodation and the National Sports Commission, for making the pitches at the national stadium available free of charge.
Conclusively, he promised that the final would be glamourous, exciting and fun-filled, with several former female football
stars,coaches, scouts and people from different walks of life scheduled to be in attendance.
The first Grand Slam of the year (Australian Open) will begin on the 18th of January 2016 . Newfanzone.com takes a look at the big wigs, fixtures and prediction of who wins the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Men’s Preview
Novak Djokovic is always the favorite going into any Grand Slam tournament in recent years. The Serb has won five titles in Melbourne and would be comfortable playing against his opponents. Novak is the defending champion and getting to the finals will be his least target.
Andy Murray had a quite fantastic season last year in which he won the Davis Cup title for Great Britain. He has never won the Australian Open though he has made it to four finals in Melbourne, the latest was in 2015 against Novak Djokovic. The Scot, who kept faith in his coach Amelie Mauresmo will hope their partnership yield a Grand Slam title this year beginning with the Australian Open.
Roger Federer will also be a favorite in Melbourne. The Swiss has struggled a bit this year coupled with him not being 100% fit. He defeated Novak 3 times on hard court in 2015 which means Roger still has what it takes to take him all the way.
Newfanzone player to watch this year Stanislas Wawrinka will definitely be in the mix when it comes to who eventually wins the title. Wawrinka won this competition in 2014(his 1st Grand Slam) defeating Novak Djokovic in the Semis and since then he has gone on to win several Master titles and another Grand Slam title in France. The Swiss has already won a title this year which is a sign of intent already.
Rafael Nadal looks to have put his injury worries behind him as he has already participated in a lot of ATP Masters tourney since coming back from injury. Nadal will push hard for this one but getting to the Semis might seem impossible for him.
Other players to watch that might cause an upset include; Tomas Berdych, Kei Nishikori, David Ferrer, Kevin Anderson,Marin Cilic & Milos Raonic.
It all looks like Novak Djokovic will retain his title at Melbourne. The Serb consistency and mental strength will push him all the way though Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka will prove to be a Banana peel for Novak.
Serena Wiliams doesn’t look 100% fit coming into this one. The world No.1 has been struggling with injuries recently and she might not be able to cope with the intensity of the competition. Though Serena can win the Grand Slam with less than a 100%,she will hope the injury doesn’t affect her all round performance in Melbourne.
Simona Halep has also struggled with injuries and the 2nd best player in the world is yet to win a Grand Slam. This is a good opportunity for Halep to win the much coveted prize taking into consideration Serena’s injury crisis.
Garbine Muguruza retired from the Brisbane Open with a left foot injury. The young Spaniard played good tennis last year and will look to replicate the form especially when it comes to the big stage. Hopefully, she would be fully fit to play in Melbourne as the top seeds have not been convincing enough recently.
Sharapova has won the event before and knows what it takes to win a Grand Slam title. Hopefully she can earn a respectable finish in Australia.
Two time Champion Victoria Azarenka is also playing with confidence this year and she looks like a dark horse for this competition.
Other Notable players that could cause an upset include; Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber,Venus Williams, Agnieszka Radwanska,Carla Suarez Navarro,Caroline Wozniacki & Roberta Vinci.
NOTABLE FIRST ROUND DRAWS
* Serena vs Giorgi
* Radwanska vs Konjuh
* Putintseva vs Wozniacki
* Hibino vs Sharapova
* C.S Navarro vs Vinci
* Bouchard vs Krunic
* Qualifier vs Kvitova
* Azarenka vs Uytvanck
* Kontaveit vs Muguruza
* Ivanovic vs Patterson
* Qualifier vs Halep
* Keys vs Diyas
* Venus vs Konta
NEWFANZONE VERDICT
The winner would be too tight to call with Serena struggling with injuries recently. The Newfanzone.com player to watch for 2016 Garbine Muguruza might just get to win her first Grand Slam title this year.
You can predict the winner of the Australian open by leaving a comment here or by tweeting @newfanzone and @demydemo. Remember Newfanzone comes up every saturday on City 105.1fm from 2pm
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