Argentina Condors Look To Maintain 100% Home Record Against Russian Boxing Team On Friday, February 26th

Argentina Condors fans will be inundated with WSB action on Friday night as the capital Buenos Aires welcomes Group C leaders Russian Boxing Team. The Coliseo venue has been a fortress so far this campaign, home to big wins over Rafako Hussars Poland and the Caciques, and the Condors will need to be at their best to overcome a talented Russian Boxing and stake a claim on the top spot.

After a big Week 3 win over Venezuela’s Yoel Finol, Condors’ Christian “La Joyita” Roda will meet Russian Boxing Team veteran Viacheslav Tashkarakov, in for Ovik Ogannisian, in the opening bout of the evening. Argentine Brian Ivan Nunez then has another big WSB battle on his hands against Russian National Lightweight silver medalist Artur Subkhankulov.

Argentine welterweight Maximiliano Ocampo will get his first international experience in the third contest of the night when he meets Russian National Championships bronze medallist Albert Karibian, who had a WSB debut to remember when he defeated Poland Rafako Hussars’ Damian Kiwior in Szczecin.

Condors’ light heavyweight Sergio Albert Lebensztajn has a tough tie against Russian Boxing Team’s AIBA Worlds bronze medalist Pavel Silyagin, before an intriguing super heavyweight contest rounds off the action. At 34, Facundo Cesar Ghiglione has plenty of elite experience under his belt, while his opponent, 20 year-old Shopokov Memorial Tournament silver medalist Iaroslav Doronichev, created a buzz with his Week 3 win over Rafako Hussars’ AIBA Youth Worlds silver medalist Pawel Wierzbicki.

Argentina Condors look to maintain 100% home record against Russian Boxing Team on Friday, February 26th

Fly (52 kg)
Christian RODA vs Viacheslav TASHKARAKOV

Light (60 kg)
Brian NUNEZ vs Artur SUBKHANKULOV

Welter (69 kg)
Brian OCAMPO vs Albert KARIBIAN

Light Heavy (81 kg)
Sergio LEBENSZTAJN vs Pavel SILYAGIN

Super Heavy (91+ kg)
Facundo GHIGLIONE vs Iaroslav DORONICHEV

South-American Boxing Showdown In Vargas As Venezuela Caciques Host Group C rivals Argentina Condors

Venezuela Caciques welcome Argentina Condors to Vargas on Friday night as they seek revenge for a narrow Week 3 defeat in Buenos Aires. The Condors got Season VI off to a flying start with back-to-back home wins, but will be tested on the road against a Caciques side hoping to build on a spirited performance against Russian Boxing Team in Week 5.

Venezuela’s 2014 National Flyweight Champion Jesus Rojas has a tall task for the Caciques in the evening’s opener against experienced Junior Zarate, who defeated the likes of Azerbaijan Baku Fires’ Magomed Ibiyev and Astana Arlans Kazakhstan’s Yerzhan Zhomart during Season V.

The hosts’ young bantamweight Victor Rodriguez already has some strong international performances under his belt, but he faces the more experienced Argentine Elias Gonzalez in the second bout before WSB debutant Maifer Lopez goes up against Lucas Ivan Gimenez in their light welterweight showdown.

The Venezuelans’ star middleweight boxer Endry Saavedra will be primed for his rematch against the man he beat one year ago, Christian Zarate, before the heavyweights complete Friday’s action with Alfonso Flores looking to send the home fans away happy with a strong showing against Argentina Condors’ Dario Alcapan.

South-American boxing showdown in Vargas as Venezuela Caciques host Group C rivals Argentina Condors

Light Fly (49 kg)
Jesus ROJAS vs Junior ZARATE

Bantam (56 kg)
Victor RODRIGUEZ vs Elias GONZALEZ

Light Welter (64 kg)
Maifer LOPEZ vs Lucas GIMENEZ

Middle (75 kg)
Endry SAAVEDRA vs Christian ZARATE

Heavy (91 kg)
Alfonso FLORES vs Dario ALCAPAN

Puerto Rico Hurricanes Looking To Wreak Season VI Revenge On Uzbek Tigers in Tashkent

A huge WSB double-bill weekend in Tashkent sees Uzbek Tigers host the Puerto Rico Hurricanes on Friday night, as the home side seeks to pile the pressure on defending champions Kazakhstan in Group D on Saturday. The one-sided contest in Week 2 in Puerto Rico heralded the arrival of the Tigers’ brand new franchise in style, but the Hurricanes will be focused on revenge and causing an upset that would earn the side their first win in a tough preliminary group.

Uzbekistan’s Abrorjon Kodirov moved up from the light flyweight class two years ago and will go out first for the Tigers against the Hurricanes’ top Colombian boxer Ceiber David Avila. Since switching weights, Kodirov has claimed national championship silver and bronze medals and was involved in a tight Week 4 match against Azerbaijan’s Magomed Ibiyev, while his opponent reached the last eight at the 2015 AIBA World Championships in Doha.

The second bout sees the hosts’ World Championship bronze medalist Elnur Abduraimov go up against WSB newcomer Puerto Rican Steven Ruidiaz, before weltwereight Dostonbek Turdiev tackles another Hurricanes debutant, Samuel Alexis Cedeno Roman.

The Tigers can count on their hard-hitting former Asian Confederation gold medalist Shukhrat Abdullaev in a big bout four battle against Hurricanes’ second Colombian import Juan Carlos Carrillo, who has bagged podium finishes at all of his recent continental appearances, including the 2015 Panamerican Games. The evening’s action will be rounded off by the super heavyweights, with the Uzbek WSB veteran Sardorbek Abdullaev facing Puerto Rico Hurricanes’ Lithuanian boxer Mantas Valavicius.

Puerto Rico Hurricanes looking to wreak Season VI revenge on Uzbek Tigers in Tashkent

Fly (52 kg)
Abrorjon KODIRV vs Ceiber AVILA

Light (60 kg)
Elnur ABDURAIMOV vs Steven RUIDIAZ

Welter (69 kg)
Dostonbek TURDIEV vs Samuel CEDENO

Light Heavy (81 kg)
Shuhrat ABDULLAEV vs Juan CARRILLO

Super Heavy (91+ kg)
Sardor ABDULLAEV vs Mantas VALAVICIUS

ITTF Confirms Prize Money For Lagos Open

World table tennis ruling body, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has confirmed the prize money for the 2016 Lagos World Tour.

According to ITTF Director of Competition, Karl Jindrak, the Lagos Open is listed as one of the Challenge Series tournaments on the ITTF calendar, the championship holds from May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, with top players from across the world expected to grace the five-day tournament.

Lagos ITTF OPEN

As the highest prize money tournament in the Challenge Series of the ITTF World Tour, players will jostle for $46,000 (N13.8m) this year while defending champion, Egypt’s Omar Assar will be making a return to Lagos after the disappointing defeat he suffered against Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri at the ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup in Khartoum, Sudan.

Also, other top players from Egypt who have been part of the championship in the last three years are expected to return to Lagos in their bid to sweep the prize money.

The ITTF has listed six events to be competed for and these include singles (men and women); doubles (men and women) as well as U-21 boys and girls.

International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos,

Preliminary entry for the tournament has commenced while the final entry has been fixed for April 18 while no entries will be accepted after midnight on Monday 18th April 2016.

There are indications that top players from Europe and Asia will be gracing this year’s tournament as part of their efforts to garner world ranking points as well as make it to the end-of-the-year ITTF World Tour Finals.

According to the prospectus for the tournament, any player entering for the tournament will agree to abide by all ITTF rules and by the rules and regulations of the Organizing Committee.

Zenith Bank Bankrolls Women’s Basketball League with 35m Naira

The 2015/2016 Zenith Bank Women National League is set to dunk-off next month.

Speaking at the presentation of the 35 million sponsorship cheque to the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), the Group Managing Director, Peter Amangbo expressed the bank’s satisfaction with the growth of the league.

“Today is very important day for us (Zenith Bank) because when we started the sponsorship of league 12 years ago with just 5 clubs, down memory lane, now we have 18 clubs participating in the league, this is very encouraging ” he stated.

He also thanked the media for supporting the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball league and Zenith bank through the years.
Also speaking, President of NBBF, Tijani Umar revealed that the federation will work hard to ensure that they improve on the league this season.

Zenith Bank Final 8 winners – FirstBank

Speaking further, he thanked the sponsors for their support and believe over the years. Saying that the federation is working hard to not only maintain the standard of the league but to also improve on it’s standard by raising it to an appreciable level.

Umar revealed that 18 million of the 35 million Naira will be shared among the participating clubs.

Wale Joseph

NFF Bigwigs In Zurich For FIFA Congress

Top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation have arrived at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland ahead of Friday’s extraordinary congress of football’s world governing body.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick, 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi flew out of Nigeria on Wednesday morning for the congress, which highlight is the election of a new FIFA President among five men of varying ages and comportment.

Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, 1st Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, Chairman LSFA

The world’s media have continued to underscore Sheikh Salman bin al-Khalifa from Bahrain and Italian-Swiss Gianni Infantino as favourites ahead of South African Tokyo Sexwale, Frenchman Jerome Champagne and Prince Ali bin al-Hussein from Jordan.

Al-Khalifa, 50, appears in good stead after securing the backing of the Confederation of African Football, whose supremo, Issa Hayatou, is acting FIFA president. Al-Khalifa will also expect total support from the Asian confederation, which he heads.

However, Infantino, 45, expects support from the European bloc, and sympathy from a few other places. The youngest of the quintet is 40-year old Prince al-Hussein, who secured over 70 votes in a clash with former president Blatter last summer before opting out of a second ballot.

NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi

The oldest is former South African anti-apartheid campaigner and Government Minister, Tokyo Sexwale, but the 62–year old, having failed to secure his own confederation’s backing, is making himself open to ‘alliances’.

Former FIFA deputy secretary general Jerome Champagne, 57, stormed out of the CAF meeting in Kigali last month after the African chiefs opted to back Salman al-Khalifa.

CAF Confederation Cup: Danladi Confident As Solid Miners Begin Training In Dakar

Nasarawa United FC chairman, Barrister Isaac Danladi has reiterated that his team has not traveled to Senegal to fail, as the Solid Miners countenance a showdown with AS Academie Generation Foot in a CAF Confederation Cup first round, second leg encounter on Sunday.

“We are expecting nothing short of victory from the game. I want to truly appreciate officials of the Embassy of Nigeria in Dakar, officials of Generation Foot and the Senegalese Football Federation for receiving our delegation at the airport in the early hours of Wednesday.

“Certainly, it is going to be a tough game. Of course, we are not expecting anything less. We are battle ready. Our delegation has since settled down and training is going on smoothly.”

Nasarawa United could only win the first leg 2-1 in Abuja, with goals from Tayo Fabiyi and Seun Sogbeso. Generation Foot played a very exciting game in Abuja and Nigerian ball fans remain apprehensive of the outcome of Sunday’s encounter.

However, Danladi assured that it would be Nasarawa United and not Generation Foot facing Constantinos of Algeria in the second round next month.

“We got a narrow win in the first leg, against our desire for a big win, but I can tell you that we are in Dakar to win. Generation Foot have to play and score, which means an open game. We will show our stuff.”

On Saturday, Nigeria’s second flagbearers Akwa United expect to finish the job against Vita Club Mokanda of Congo at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

The boys from the Land of Promise won the first leg in Pointe Noir 1-0 and the visitors are unlikely to be able to withstand the flaming form of the Akwa boys on Saturday night.

TIMOTHY SIMON OF NASARAWA (2) photo credit LMC Media

While Warri Wolves have been confirmed for the second round following the withdrawal of Sporting Praia Cruz of Sao Tome and Principe, Enyimba FC have much to do following a 1-0 defeat by Vipers of Uganda in Kampala.

Enyimba FC chairman, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, has assured that the People’s Elephant have what it takes to turn the fixture around at the Adokiye Amiesieamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Hamilton Kicks Against Introduction Of Heavier Formula One Cars In 2017

Mercedes Benz’s British Formula One Champion Lewis Hamilton has kicked against plans to introduce heavier cars in 2017. The FIA on Wednesday published a list of proposed changes to the bodywork of cars with bigger tyres which will bring the weight of the car from 702kg to 722kg.

The FIA plans to make the cars, wider, louder and faster in its bid to livening up the sport, But the Formula one champion believes that the drivers should have been consulted also.

“I think the drivers should be consulted more. We have a feeling in the car and what could be made better. We do know what does not feel good and what to improve,” he said.

The 3 time F1 Champion believes that rather than make the cars heavier they should be made lighter for more speed.

LMC Lauds Supersport as Broadcaster Deploys Camera Drone in Kano

Supersport, the Official Broadcast partner of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has received commendation for the launch of their first camera borne Drone in the coverage of games of the league.

The Drone which provided aerial shots of scenes in the stadium was launched at the season’s opening star match in Kano between Kano Pillars and Rangers International of Enugu. It made fans watching from homes to appreciate the stadium from above in its full glory. The shots were made more spectacular as the Sani Abacha Stadium was packed to the brim and those different perspectives provided by the shots brought to fans the feeling that they were in the stadium. A further advantage of shots from the cameras in the drone is the provision of all inclusive angles from all corners of the stadium.

Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Shehu Dikko offered the commendation at a reception for the Supersport live broadcast crew in Kano after the match. He said the reception was another platform to engage the broadcast partners in relaxed atmosphere devoid of the pressures of work.

“It is no secret that our partnership has been a model for sponsorship and we hope it will keep improving.

“The LMC is excited with the innovation represented by the use of a Drone witnessed during the match between Pillars and Rangers, it is consistent with the LMC’s vision and mission to continuously bring innovations in our management of the league for the good of the players, the clubs, the fans and our partners as well as every other stakeholder”, Dikko enthused during the dinner held at the Prince Hotel where the Supersport crew lodged.

Niyi Oyeleke, the Supersport Productions Manager in Nigeria thanked the LMC Chairman for finding time to interact with the crew and explained that “Supersport has been using the Hurricane Mk2 SuperSport Racing Drone in the RSA to cover Formula 1 and other Car races with huge success. We have now introduced this to the NPFL to offer our viewers a richer experience of our world class broadcast services”.

He said beyond providing elegant aerial shots, “the wireless nature of the Drone offers limitless mobility capacity, eliminates the distraction caused by camera-borne aircrafts of any type flying over huge crowds and provides an advanced crowd monitoring option as it can discreetly focus on specific sections of interest inside the stadium”

The LMC Chairman also commended Supersport for the record 70 games covered in the 2014/15 season and challenged them to build on that success to cover more games and wider locations this season.

“We appreciate the constraints you have faced over the last few seasons but we are certainly happy with the improvement in numbers last season. On our part, we want to work with you and the clubs to schedule more Friday Night Matches, Double-Headers, Saturday and Sunday fixture but we also want to see you cover matches at more locations than has been the case”, Dikko charged the crew.

The evening outing by a pool side was brought to life by popular music from a DJ, dance led by the LMC Chairman, his entourage and some of the younger members of the Supersport crew who confessed that it was a great after-work engagement they appreciated.

ICC Announces Umpire And Match Referee Appointments For The ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 #WT20

The International Cricket Council today named a 31-member match officials’ team for the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016, which runs from 8 March to 3 April.

The strong Playing Control Team includes all the seven and 12 members of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, respectively, as well as 10 members of the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires and two members of the ICC Associate and Affiliate Panel of International Umpires.

The complete list of match officials is:

Match referees – David Boon, Chris Broad, Jeff Crowe, Ranjan Madugalle, Andy Pycroft, Richie Richardson and Javagal Srinath

Umpires – Anil Chaudhary, Johan Cloete, Kathy Cross, Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Simon Fry, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Vineet Kulkarni, Nigel Llong, Ranmore Martinesz, CK Nandan, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Claire Polosak, Paul Reiffel, Chettithody Shamshuddin, Ravi Sundaram, Rod Tucker and Joel Wilson.

The umpires’ panel includes two female umpires – New Zealand’s Kathleen Cross and Claire Polosak of Australia. The two were also involved in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015 in Thailand.

Their appointments in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2016 comes as the game’s governing body continues to place an important emphasis in recognising that cricket is a game for all, and hopes that this will inspire more women across the globe to become involved in officiating and participating in cricket.

Cross will make history in Chennai on 16 March when she will become the first female umpire to officiate in the ICC World Twenty20 by umpiring in the women’s match featuring Pakistan and Bangladesh along with Anil Chaudhary.

Two days later, Polosak will make her debut at a global event when she will perform on-field duties along with Vineet Kulkarni in the New Zealand-Ireland women’s match in Mohali on 18 March.

Taumarunui born Cross became the first woman to be named in an ICC umpires’ panel when she was added to the ICC Associate and Affiliate Panel of International Umpires in 2014. She has previously umpired in the ICC Women’s World Cups in 2000, 2009 and 2013, the Women’s World Cup Qualifier in 2011 and the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2013 and 2015. In recent years, Kathy has also worked at men’s senior events including the ICC World Cricket League Championship Divisions 3 and 5.

Australian Polosak recently made history when she was appointed as third umpire for the Matador One-Day Cup to become the first female to officiate in a List ‘A’ Australia competition. She was also the youngest official at the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015 in Bangkok. Hailing from Goulburn, the high-school science teacher has since progressed to be involved as third umpire in the Queensland versus Cricket Australia XI match in October and as reserve umpire in several domestic matches.

The seven Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees hold a combined experience of 113 ICC World Twenty20 matches between them.

At next month’s event, India’s Javagal Srinath will earn the distinction of referee in the 8 March tournament opener between Zimbabwe and Hong Kong in Nagpur. He will lead the Playing Control Team, which also includes Aleem Dar and Ian Gould as on-field umpires, Marais Erasmus as TV umpire and Richard Illingworth as fourth umpire.

Of the 24 umpires, half will be making their ICC World Twenty20 tournament debuts. These are: Anil Chaudhary, Johan Cloete, Kathleen Cross, Simon Fry, Chris Gaffeney, Michael Gough, Vineet Kulkarni, CK Nandan, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Claire Polosak, Chettithody Shamshuddin and Joel Wilson.

The umpire and match referee appointments for the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 is attached. Appointments for the finals will be announced in due course. The most up to date schedule is available at http://www.icc-cricket.com.

AIBA WANTS PRO BOXERS AT RIO 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES

AIBA president Dr Ching-Kuo Wu has revealed that the boxing governing body is planning to have professional boxers compete at the forthcoming Rio 2016 boxing event.

Ching-Kuo Wu took over as president in 2006 and has been instrumental to several reforms in the sport. Some of the reforms championed by Wu includes the removal of vest from AIBA endorsed or organised men’s boxing events.

He also ensured that the word “amateur” was removed from its title. Under Wu’s Leadership AIBA started the AIBA Pro Boxing Scheme APB and the World Series Of Boxing.

And In 2013 it was decided that Pro boxers with less than 15 fights to go to the Olympics.

Now in the year of AIBA’s 70th Anniversary the body wants pro boxers to be eligible to fight at the Olympic games in Rio, according to Dr Wu “It is an IOC policy to have the best athletes in the Games, and of the international federations, AIBA is probably the only one without professional athletes in the Olympics.”

AIBA PRESIDENT Dr Ching-Kuo Wu

If the decision to eventually allow Pro Boxers at the Olympic games is ratified by the executive council of AIBA some very popular Pro boxers might just become the main attraction in Rio, but it doesn’t seem like everybody in the boxing fraternity is all for the idea.

Commonwealth Games gold medalist and Former world champion Barry McGuigan is of the opinion that whole idea is a “publicity stunt” stating that the plan to have professional boxers take part in Rio is “crazy”.