– Paris Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi is in London, with Chelsea interested in signing him according to Sky Sports Italia.
– Leicester are in a three way tussle with PSV and Malaga to close a loan deal for Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira, according to reports in Brazil.
– Sunderland are set to offer Swansea £6m plus Fabio Borini for Andre Ayew, according to reports in England.
– Yaya Toure’s agent has suggested that the Manchester City midfielder is ready to listen to offers from other clubs when the Premier League season comes to an end.
– Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he rates Christian Benteke and scouted the striker when he was Borussia Dortmund boss.
– AC Milan’s hopes of signing Ajax winger Anwar El Ghazi have taken a blow as the club announce: “He’s not for sale.”
– Reported Real Madrid target Rodrigo Bentancur is happy at Boca Juniors for the moment, according to his father.
– According to reports, Everton want to sign Chelsea midfielder Bertrand Traore on a six-month loan deal until the end of the season.
– Atalanta have reportedly received a €10millon offer from Napoli for Alberto Grassi.
– According to ESPN, Manchester United are seriously considering making an offer for PSG striker Edinson Cavani.
– Adriano Galliani confirms Stephan El Shaarawy “cannot return to Milan. He either stays at Monaco or finds another club.”
– Real Betis are interested in West Ham United striker Mauro Zarate, but his agent confirms “he wants Fiorentina.”
– Inter left-back Dodo is expected to undergo his medical for a loan move to Sampdoria tomorrow.
Wojciech Szczesny
– Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny could extend his Roma loan by another season, according to reports.
– Giuseppe Rossi’s agent confirms interest from Levante in the Fiorentina striker is “real”.
– Aston Villa are in talks with Nemanja Vidic as Remi Garde looks to bolster his side’s defence, according to reports.
– Torino deny they are interested in PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.
Football tit bits:
– Manchester United could eventually pay £61.5million to Monaco for Anthony Martial if all of the clauses in the deal are met, according to an alleged leaked document.
– FFF President Noël Le Graët has described Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema “as stupid as a donkey” for his role in the alleged blackmail of Mathieu Valbuena
– Patrick Vieira has been presented as the new head coach at New York City FC today, where he will lead the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and David Villa next season.
– Lionel Messi’s tax fraud trial in Spain has been set for May 31-June 3, conflicting with the start of the centennial Copa America in the United States.
– Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo says the moment he knew he was going to be a star came during his first training session at Sporting Lisbon when he was just 11 years old.
Daniel Amokachi
– Daniel Amokachi has signed a one year deal to manage Finish second division side JS Hercules.
7 time Grand Slam Champion Venus Williams, has been fined after failing to show up to a press conference following her defeat to British No.1 Johanna Konta.
Venus who surprisingly lost out to Konta in the first round of this year Australian Open would pay a fee of $5,000 which is below her first round appearance fee £18,800.
This would not be the first time the American boycotted a press conference after she was fined for failing to show up in her first round loss to Sloane Stephens.
European Boxing Confederation (EUBC) President Mr Franco Falcinelli signed the HeadsUp! charter today during his visit to AIBA Headquarters in Lausanne. This is another step, which illustrates the strong support for this programme enhancing the values of boxing and ensuring its development from grass roots to professional level, especially in the European continent.
“It is another strong push for AIBA’s HeadsUp! programme as EUBC demonstrates its full support for our initiative to put boxers first. European Boxing Confederation is the biggest AIBA Confederation and I am confident that with this new step we will be able to implement HeadsUp projects in Europe with the support of our 50 National Federations”, said AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu.
EUBC has become the second confederation to sign the HeadsUp! charter after Asian Boxing Confederation President Mr Serik Konakbayev was the first to support AIBA’s initiative at World Boxing Championships in Doha, Qatar.
AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu. With European Boxing Confederation (EUBC) President Mr Franco Falcinelli
“As EUBC President I am honoured to support the AIBA’s HeadsUp! programme. Through the Headsup! charter, we will collaborate closely with the National Federations in Europe to support local projects which epitomize the boxing values. We are fully committed to improve the perception of boxing in the years to come and HeadsUp is the perfect vehicle to achieve this objective”, said EUBC President Franco Falcinelli.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has confirmed the annual Lagos Open among the 20 World Tours listed for 2016.
With the ongoing Hungarian Open kick-starting the 20 anniversary of the ITTF World Tour, the world table tennis ruling body has confirmed Lagos Open to hold on May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos,
As one the challenge series, the Lagos Open is expected to attract players from Europe, Asia and Africa as the tournament serves as one on the point hauling events to qualify for the World Tour Finals.
Meanwhile, the ITTF World Tour celebrates its 20 years’ anniversary with the 2016 ITTF World Tour kicking off in Budapest, Hungary.
The then called ITTF Pro Tour first kicked off in Kettering, England in 1996 and has seen 291 events happen since, growing from strength to strength each year.
On the historic anniversary of the world’s biggest table tennis tour, ITTF’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Judit FARAGO stated: “20 years after introducing the professional tour in table tennis, we are glad that the all-year long competition format has grown to be a core element of the ITTF competition program.
Lagos ITTF World Tour (Lagos Open)
“This year, five continents are included in the series which gives excellent opportunity for the top players to improve their seeding position for the Olympic Games by gaining valuable World Ranking points. Also for those players to succeed at the World Tour who cannot realise their dream at Rio 2016. The great interest is shown already at the very first event, the Hungarian Open where the last year’s participation record will be broken with 378 entries from 56 countries.”
Nigeria’s U-17 girls, nicknamed Flamingoes, have arrived in Namibia ahead of Friday’s 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against that country’s Baby Gladiators.
Coach Bala Nikyu, his assistants, 18 players and backroom staff, alongside a couple of administrative officials, flew aboard a South African Airways airplane from Lagos to Johannesburg before connecting another South African Airways flight to Windhoek, on Wednesday morning.
The Flamingoes have never failed to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals since the event was launched in New Zealand in 2008. They thrashed the Baby Gladiators 4-0 in the first leg in Abuja penultimate weekend.
Nigeria captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who scored two of the four goals in the first leg, said: “We are confident that we will progress into the last round of the qualifiers. Though, we will not under-rate the Baby Gladiators.
“Our Coaches have been telling us to forget the result of the first leg and play the second leg match as if we lost the first leg. Our spirit is high and we will do the country proud.”
Officials of the Namibia Football Association have confirmed that the second leg match will take place at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, starting from 4pm Namibia time (3pm Nigeria time).
The winner of this fixture will play South Africa’s U-17 girls, who have reached the final round of the qualification series following the withdrawal of Zambia.
This year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will take place in Jordan between 30th September and 21st October.
flamingoes celebrate victory in a previous match
18 FLAMINGOES FOR BATTLE OF WINDHOEK
Goalkeepers: Cynthia Nnadozie, Nimot Ajayi
Defenders: Esther Adeboye, Joy Duru, Patience Dike, Onyinyechi Ibe, Ijeoma Kenneth
Former World Snooker Champion Ken Doherty believes that the standard of play with be higher than ever at this year’s World Seniors Championship in Preston.
The tournament at the Guild Hall runs on the weekend of January 30-31 and will feature many of the sport’s great names including Jimmy White, John Parrott and defending champion Mark Williams.
Last year the age limit was lowered from 45 to 40 and Doherty believes that has led to a far tougher field. Six of the world’s top 40 players will be among the 16-man line-up in Preston.
“It has got so much more competitive over the last couple of years because of the change in age limit,” said 46-year-old Doherty, who won the World Championship in 1997. “There are a lot of very good players in it this time. Mark Davis is an extremely tough first round draw, he’s ranked 23rd in the world and we’ve had a lot of battles over the years.
“It’s good prize money and for the winner it’s great to be a world champion at any level. Everyone there is in it to win, and not just to have fun. It’s a great event and I love playing in it every year.”
Returning to the Guild Hall will bring back plenty of memories for Irishman Doherty as he played several times at the Preston venue earlier in his career.
“The Guild Hall is where it all started for me,” he said. “That’s where I went to try and qualify as a professional in 1988, back in the pro-ticket days. I failed to qualify but I won the world amateur title the next year to get my pro card.
“My best memory of playing in Preston was the 1994 UK Championship. I played out of my skin that week and beat the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and James Wattana to reach the final. Then I was involved in a brilliant match against Stephen Hendry, he made seven centuries and beat me 10-5. I couldn’t hold on to him, he was just too good. It’s a great venue, particularly when there’s a big crowd in.”
Doherty has had an inconsistent season so far and dropped to 47th in the world rankings, but he showed signs of his best form in December when he won two qualifying matches to reach the final stages of February’s German Masters.
“I had a couple of good wins before Christmas and hopefully that’s a sign of things to come for the next few months,” he added. “I hope 2016 will be a good year for me on the table. The game doesn’t get any easier as you get older but I still love playing.”
Televised by Sky Sports, the World Seniors Championship brings together stars of the modern game and past eras.
Tickets are ON SALE NOW and start at just £10, but fans must book fast because they are selling out. For details visit http://www.worldsnooker.com/tickets
World Snooker Seniors Championship: Doherty Expects Tough Guild Hall Test
The full draw and format is:
January 30th
From 1pm
Peter Ebdon v Nigel Bond
Mark Williams v Anthony Hamilton
Tony Drago v Robert Milkins
Joe Johnson v Darren Morgan
From 7pm
Ken Doherty v Mark Davis
John Parrott v Dominic Dale
Rory McLeod v Fergal O’Brien
Jimmy White v Gary Lees
Four events remain in the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League, setting an exciting stage for the race to the finish of this first season.
With just two more events on the East Coast and two on the West, top athletes will be competing with the goal of qualifying for the Final in Gothenburg (SWE) on 23-26 March 2016.
The new league was launched in the summer of 2015 to standardise the level of FEI World Cup™ competition in North America, with the luxury Swiss watchmaker Longines as title partner and supporting with data handling and timekeeping excellence.
With the top four results counting towards final scores, athletes in the North American League have been going all out to make the cut for the Final.
After a brief break for the month of December, the competition will resume at Valle de Bravo (MEX) presented by Scappino on 23 January. The West Coast will then conclude with a final event at HITS Thermal Desert Circuit CSI3*-W on 13 February. Meanwhile, the final two events on the East Coast will be held at Wellington presented by Sovaro and the Live Oak International CSI3*-W on 7 February and 28 February.
“It’s been an interesting process all the way, from limiting the number of events to having organisers bid to host qualifiers in order to elevate the quality of the league,” FEI 1st Vice-President and Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee John Madden said. “The sponsors and the organisers have really embraced the idea of having a unified league, and the best North American riders have been able to focus on attempting to qualify for the Final.”
Winter season heats up
Warmer climates will be a common theme when the North American League resumes at the end of January, when over 60 athletes and 140 horses will head to Valle de Bravo.
“Mexico is pleased to host a qualifier on the road to the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final,” said Ricardo Castañeda Chavez, spokesperson for the Valle de Bravo CSI4*-W competition. “The class is a proud addition to a show with a lot of tradition, the Triple Copa Scappino, featuring three different sports, showjumping, golf and sailing at the same time, at the same venue.”
Riders will be greeted by four arenas, fair weather and the hospitality of the Mexican fans in Valle de Bravo, an equestrian paradise nestled in the middle of a forest outside of Mexico City.
“I’ll be at the Mexico and Thermal events,” said Karl Cook (USA), current leader in the West Coast standings. “I’ll be taking Tembla. She’s the one I’ve ridden so far in the qualifiers and she’s doing great, always getting better. It’s my first time to the horse show in Valle de Bravo. I’m excited to check out a new show. I hear it’s beautiful.”
Two weeks after the league’s stop in Mexico, Wellington will host the qualifier at Deeridge Farms, the 300-acre oasis of serenity and beauty set in the heart of Wellington, Florida.
“I’m very excited for the show,” said Mason Phelps, Jr., spokesperson for Wellington. “The showgrounds are as pretty as they come, and the Grand Prix ring is grass with top notch footing in all arenas. It’s going to be as classy an event as possible.”
The show also provides variety during the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival, which will serve riders and horses well for international competition, according to Madden.
“What’s different here in the US is that we also have outdoor events to qualify for indoor championships due to the nature of our sport in North America,” he said. “Everyone either moves to Thermal on the West Coast or Palm Beach on the East Coast, and Wellington is a different venue to where we compete for 12 weeks. It’s a breath of fresh air.
“One of our other qualifiers is in Ocala at Chester Weber’s farm, also a beautiful location. In preparing horses for major international competition, it’s very important to go to and be exposed to different venues. When riders go to Rotterdam, Dublin and Hickstead, they and their horses have to be ready to compete in a strange environment. Take Rio for example – no-one will have jumped in Rio until the Olympic Games.”
Top prospects
Veterans and rising stars alike continue to vie for top positions to qualify for March’s prestigious finale. Young talents Hardin Towell (USA) and Karl Cook (USA) lead their respective leagues with consistent performances, while Olympians Beezie Madden (USA) – who won the FEI World Cup™ in 2013 – and Will Simpson (USA) follow closely behind.
“The new league has helped America to be on par with Europe,” said Towell. “Longines has done a very good job bringing the league together, with FEI TV for every single qualifier and more media attention to help inform the public about the sport. There’s also double the prize money than in prior years, which makes jumping a tough 1.60-meter course worth the effort.”
Although Towell is positioning his top mount Lucifer for the Final, he plans to ride a younger horse, New York, at Wellington.
“Now that I feel pretty confident that I’ll make the Final, I’m trying to prepare more for it and to have my horses peak at the right time, especially now that it’s earlier in the season. The past year was my best year to date, and I feel more comfortable myself at this level.”
The West Coast leader Karl Cook also noted significant improvements to qualifiers in North America with the new league. “Fewer events was a smart plan,” he said. “It’s easier to fit into my show schedule, and the quality of the shows is better. With the support of Longines, the shows feel special in the way that they’re set up, which inspires me to do better.”
Close behind Cook is the seasoned competitor Simpson. Paired with a younger, inexperienced mount The Dude, he’s hopeful that two more solid results in Mexico and Thermal will secure them a position to travel to Sweden.
“I’m aiming for the Final,” Simpson said. “The new league is great. It brings together the West Coast nicely with Canada and Mexico. I competed at the first one (on the West Coast) at Thunderbird. I had never been there before, and the league got me to some new places. I’ve been really happy with the quality and the standards of the events. The Dude isn’t ready for the Final right now, but by March he’ll be ready.”
And for Madden, juggling separate strings for an Olympic year, the league and the Final offer the opportunity to develop the depth of her team of horses.
“I’m planning to compete at Wellington with a younger horse, Breitling LS,” she said. “He’s probably the one that I’ll take to the Final, if I qualify. I’m going to show him in a 2* at WEF then he’ll have a week off from showing before the qualifier. We’re designing his schedule around the qualifiers and the Final.
“The new league has had a great start. I like the fact that there are fewer events, because it makes each one more important with better competition.”
A total of 14 riders will qualify for the Final from North America: seven from the United States’ East Coast, three from the United States’ West Coast, two from Canada, and two from Mexico.
Beezie Madden, pictured here with Simon at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Las Vegas last April, is the most decorated US female equestrian athlete of all time. She is currently the highest placed female athlete in the North American League, lying second in the East Coast standings. (FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst)
Raising standards
“I think, in a lot of ways, the World Cup leagues have played a significant role in the development of the sport and its athletes, over the years and around the world,” John Madden said. “The better the league, the more valuable it is for preparing for the Olympic Games and other major Championships.”
The show organisers have played a crucial role in talent development by capping the entry fees for qualifiers. And with over $1.8 million in prize money in the North American League’s qualifiers, and over $3 million when including the additional classes for each leg of the series, it’s a clear and notable jump in significance.
“Longines and the FEI truly understand that it’s about the sport and about offering opportunities in an objective way for riders and horses to develop,” Madden said. “Qualifying for the World Cup Final is an accomplishment that every rider cherishes, and there’s a lot of money in the World Cup competition because the classes and the title are important.”
And with the crown jewel of Longines FEI World Cup™ Champion at the end of the league’s inaugural journey, the best has been saved for last. Great expectations continue to mount as the final four legs approach. The major question hangs in the air: will the veterans prevail or is it a year for the young guns? Eight rounds of technical courses hold the answer, bringing North American riders one step closer to Longines glory.
Current Standings
East Coast
1. Jack (Hardin) Towell (USA) 50
2. Elizabeth (Beezie) Madden (USA) 45
3. Kent Farrington (USA) 43
4. Samuel Parot (CHI) 40
5. Laura Kraut (USA) 39
6. Quentin Judge (USA) 37
7. McLain Ward (USA) 36
8. Callan Solem (USA) 35
West Coast
1. Karl Cook (USA) 33
2. Will Simpson (USA) 30
3. Rich Fellers (USA) 28
4. Ben Asselin (CAN) 23
5. Richard Spooner (USA) 23
6. Allyssa Hecht (USA) 22
7. Lisa Carlsen (CAN) 21
8. Eric Navet (FRA) 15
The ITTF World Tour celebrates it’s 20 years’ anniversary with the 2016 ITTF World Tour kicking off today (20 January) in Budapest, Hungary.
The then called ITTF Pro Tour first kicked off in Kettering, England in 1996 and has seen 291 events happen since, growing from strength to strength each year.
On the historic anniversary of the world’s biggest table tennis tour, ITTF’s CEO Judit FARAGO stated: “20 years after introducing the professional tour in table tennis, we are glad that the all-year long competition format has grown to be a core element of the ITTF competition program.
Ma Long celebrates becoming the most successful World Tour Grand Final player in history
“This year, five continents are included in the series which gives excellent opportunity for the top players to improve their seeding position for the Olympic Games by gaining valuable World Ranking points. Also for those players to succeed at the World Tour who cannot realise their dream at Rio 2016. The great interest is shown already at the very first event, the Hungarian Open where the last year’s participation record will be broken with 378 entries from 56 countries.”
20 ITTF World Tour events will take place in 2016 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the tour. The notable addition from 2015 is Slovenia, who will be hosting an ITTF World Tour event for the first time since 2012.
The 20 events on the 2016 ITTF World Tour are split into three tiers: Super (6 events) Major series (6 events) and Challenge (9 events). The higher the tier, the higher the prize money, better playing conditions and tougher competition.
All the players playing ITTF World Tour events are fighting for not only for prize money and world ranking points, but also World Tour ranking points to qualify for the lucrative World Tour Grand Final, taking place on 15-18 December 2016 in a location to be announced.
The Hungarian Open signals 20 years of the ITTF World Tour
The 2016 ITTF World Tour is set to be the most extensively followed tour in history, with more events shown live throughout the world on television, and all the events being shown live on ITTF’s live streaming platform, ITTF.com/itTV.
The qualifications for the ITTF World Tour World Tour Hungarian Open (Major) starts today, 20 January 2016, with the main draw starting on 22 January and the finals matches on 24 January 2016.
The ITTF World Tour Super Series kicks off a week later at the German Open on 27 January 2016.
– Roma terminate Ashley Cole’s contract by mutual consent.
– According to reports, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot is edging closer to a loan switch to Marseille.
– According to Marca, Atletico Madrid have turned down a €30million offer from Tottenham for striker Jackson Martinez.
– West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan has confirmed that terms have been agreed with Leeds United for the signing of Sam Byram.
– Newcastle will not allow Florian Thauvin’s proposed loan deal to Marseille untill they reach an agreement with Spurs over the signing of Andros Townsend, according to reports.
– Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb has been reassured over his future by head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
– Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal has signed a new long-term contract.
– Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka says he will not leave the Bundesliga club simply to sit on another side’s bench.
– Diego Perotti’s agent reveals only “final details” are missing for a transfer from Genoa to Roma.
– Atalanta want to sign Anderlecht striker Idrissa Sylla, according to Sky Sports Italia.
– Lille are interested in signing Chelsea attacker Charly Musonda on loan this month, according to reports.
– AC Milan defender Cristian Zapata is reportedly not keen on VfB Stuttgart or Hoffenheim offers.
– Werder Bremen chief executive Thomas Eichin has told Bild: “We are in negotiations.” over a loan move for Chelsea defender Papy Djilobodji.
– An intermediary for Wolfsburg claims Juventus rejected an offer from the German club for Simone Zaza.
– Roma’s hopes of signing Barcelona’s Adriano this month have taken a hit after his agent said: “Adriano won’t leave in January.”
– According to Le Parisien, Ligue 1 high-flyers Angers are considering a loan deal for PSG youngster Jean-Kevin Augustin.
– Roma and AC Milan are said to be interested in Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Oliver Torres.
– Marseille midfielder Alaixys Romao has confirmed in a press conference that he will remain at the club until the end of the season, dismissing speculation about a possible move to Sunderland.
– Spanish sources claim Roma have asked Real Madrid for defender Nacho Fernandez.
– Inter director Piero Ausilio confirms Fredy Guarin “is in negotiations” with Jiangsu Suning
– Jurgen Klopp insists he has the final say on transfers at Liverpool despite his predecessor suggesting he had been compromised by a transfer committee.
– According to reports, West Ham are preparing a £18million bid for Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge.
– According to reports, Manchester City have joined the race for Athletic Bilbao attacker Inaki Wiliams and are looking to activate his £15.3 million release clause, with Arsenal, Real Madrid and Liverpool also interested.
– According to reports, Swansea and Bournemouth are both weighing up moves for Lazio midfielder Ravel Morrison.
– According to reports, Hajduk Split goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic is set to sign for Aston Villa after a £5million fee was agreed.
– According to Goal, Barcelona have turned down a loan move from Real Betis for striker Sandro Ramirez and hope to sell the 20-year-old to a premier league team before the end of the January transfer window.
Football tit bits:
– Gianni Infantino, the UEFA general secretary who is bidding to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president, has proposed staging an expanded World Cup across several countries as part of his manifesto.
– André Villas-Boas found Chelsea’s sacking of José Mourinho “quite incredible”, saying the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich, “has sacked basically every coach that he’s had”.
– The Dutch FA (KNVB) has said it would have supported Ajax’s Riechedly Bazoer if the midfielder had walked off the
pitch after he was subjected to racist chants from opposition supporters over the weekend.
– Real Madrid have confirmed that Gareth Bale has picked up another calf muscle injury, with reports in Spain saying the Wales international is likely to miss three weeks of action.
– The father of Manuel Godoy believes Real Madrid tried to hide their involvement with his son during FIFA’s investigation into the club.
– Barcelona coach Luis Enrique says Lionel Messi will decide if he is fit enough to play in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey quarterfinal first leg tie at Athletic Bilbao.
– Jorge Sampaoli has stepped down as coach of Chile in the wake of a disagreement with newly elected Football Federation of Chile (ANFP) president Arturo Salah.
Football Day returns to Social Media Week Lagos for a second, pivotal year with a celebration of Nigeria’s greatest ever football achievement, winning Olympic football gold.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of that defining moment for Nigerian football. In keeping with the #SMWLagos2016 theme of ‘The Networked African’ #SMWFootballDay 2016 will not only celebrate the stars of that stirring triumph, but will also explore how social media and technology can add value to Nigeria’s football networks of players, administrators, commercial partners and media.
Using the meta tags #WhenEaglesSoared and #Atlanta96Remembered, #SMWFootballDay2106 will drive conversation by tapping into the fans’ recall of that great moment, look into the social effect of that triumph, and honour the stars who made it happen by bringing them together for an #Atlanta96Remembered Reunion Match.
The game, between Atlanta 96 stars and Celebrity Lagos All Stars captained by comedian AY, will mark the opening event of #SMWFootballDay2016. Organised in partnership with Eko Football, the match will be played at Campos Mini Stadium on Sunday February 21, 2016. A Gala/Awards Nite to honour the stars at SS7 Lounge at VI later that night, will close out the day.
Social Media Week Lagos Board chairman Obi Asika says it will be a landmark moment “Social Media Week Lagos is excited and honoured to celebrate these perennial Nigerian legends.
“The Atlanta 96 Eagles provided one of the biggest moments in African football, with several African countries declaring public holidays.
“Please join us as we relive those special moments as a country and as a continent.”
The Nigerian Dream Team celebrate their gold medal at Atlanta 96 Olympic games, photo credit: sundayoliseh.tv
The main sessions will take place at the Landmark Centre on 25 February, 2016 – and include an intimate chat with Sunday Oliseh, Atlanta 96 Alumni and current Super Eagles coach; as well as a panel of Atlanta 96 veterans recalling the tournament.
Speakers at the sessions will include NFF President Amaju Pinnick, LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission Deji Tinubu, Lagos FA Chairman Seyi Akinwunmi, Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh and Africa’s first ever Women’s Player of the Year Mercy Akide-Udoh.
newfanzone 