Australian Grand Prix Crash Would Have Killed Fernando Alonso 20 Years Ago, Says Max Mosley

The former FIA president Max Mosley believes the crash Fernando Alonso suffered in Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix would have killed the driver had it happened 20 years ago.

Alonso’s McLaren clipped the Haas car driven by Esteban Gutiérrez while travelling at close to 200mph, crashed into a trackside wall at Albert Park and barrel-rolled twice before Alonso crawled out of the wreckage.

Mosley’s time as head of motor sport’s governing body saw a push for increased safety measures, with the death of Ayrton Senna at Imola in 1994 helping to inspire that movement.

Frenchman Jules Bianchi also died from accidents suffered in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix but this time around,
Mosley could afford to refer to Alonso’s crash as “impressive” as he paid tribute to the efforts of his former FIA chief medical officer Sid Watkins.

“You wouldn’t know for sure without a detailed analysis but generally speaking those sorts of accidents resulted in serious injury or death,” said Mosely.

Mclaren
photo credit: Mike Clarke
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/legalcode

“Happily that seems to have stopped. There are still freak accidents, like Jules, but those sort of serious racing accidents, you do expect the driver to walk away. That wouldn’t have been the case 20 years ago. This was thanks to Sid Watkins and a team of really competent people and the teams themselves. It needed to be looked at scientifically and that was the big change after Ayrton Senna’s death at Imola in 1994.”

“It’s very satisfying to see Alonso walk away. You work hard and it’s very satisfying when you see the results. It was quite an impressive crash.”

Paul Ayorinde

FIFA Opens Investigation Into Germany’s 2016 World Cup Bid

German football legend Franz Beckenbauer is one of four officials to be investigated by FIFA following “possible undue payments and contracts” relating to the awarding of the 2006 World Cup tournament.

Germany beat South Africa to win the rights to the tournament in 2000 but reports in October last year claimed a
slush fund of 10.3 million Swiss francs had been set up to buy votes.

The German Football Association (DFB) denied this but FIFA’s ethics committee has opened formal proceedings against six officials in total after examining a report commissioned by the DFB.

Beckenbauer, the former DFB president Theo Zwanziger, the former secretary general Horst Schmidt and former chief
finance officer Stefan Hans will be investigated by FIFA. All were involved in Germany’s World Cup local organising
committee, of which Beckenbauer was president.

FIFA’s investigatory chamber will also open proceedings against Wolfgang Niersbach, the former president of the DFB and current member of the Fifa and UEFA executive committees, and the former DFB secretary general Helmut Sandrock. The pair will be investigated for a “possible failure to report a breach” of the ethics code. Niersbach, who stepped down as president of the DFB in November, has previously insisted that the organising committee had acted both “fairly” and “legally”, saying: “The World Cup was not bought. What was a summer fairytale remains a summer fairytale.”

However, Zwanziger later stated that a slush fund had existed.

A FIFA statement read: “In the cases of Messrs Niersbach and Sandrock, the investigatory chamber will investigate a
possible failure to report a breach of the Fifa code of ethics, which could constitute a breach of art. 13 (General rules of conduct), art. 15 (Loyalty), art. 18 (Duty of disclosure, cooperating and reporting) and art. 19 (Conflicts of interest)
of the FCE.”

“In the cases of Mr Beckenbauer, Dr Zwanziger, Mr Schmidt and Mr Hans, the investigatory chamber will investigate
possible undue payments and contracts to gain an advantage in the 2006 FIFA World Cup host selection and the associated funding, which could constitute a breach of arts 13, 15, 18 and 19 as well as art. 20 (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits) and art. 21 (Bribery and corruption) of the Fifa code of ethics.”

In October, Beckenbauer rejected allegations of corruption, saying: “I never gave money to anyone in order to acquire votes so that Germany is awarded the 2006 World Cup. And I am certain that no other member of the bid committee did something like that.”

In November, German police raided the Frankfurt headquarters of the DFB and searched the homes of officials on suspicion of tax evasion linked to the awarding of the tournament, with documents and hard drives seized according to the German news agency DPA.

Paul Ayorinde

French Interior Minister Guarantees ‘Very High Security Level’ At Euro 2016

The French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said the explosions in Brussels are a reminder a “very high security level” will be needed during the European Championship in France.

Speaking after three blasts in the Belgian capital, Cazeneuve said everything will be put in place to guarantee “collective
security” at the tournament, with the mobilization of specially trained emergency staff, police and firefighters.

Euro 2016 organisers have strengthened security measures and made changes to the particularly vulnerable fan zones well before the events in Brussels.

Fan zones are set up in squares or parks near the centre of the city, allowing supporters to watch a game on a big screen. Security can be lighter than at stadiums.

About seven million supporters visited the fan zones in the host cities during Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland and there are concerns the designated Euro 2016 areas for the public could be targets for attackers. Each fan zone can hold 10,000 to 100,000 people and French authorities want to maintain a festive atmosphere within those areas while protecting crowds.

Cazeneuve said Euro 2016 should bring “sportsmanship, festivities and security for teams, accompanying staff and
spectators”.

After French authorities last week simulated a chemical attack at an open-air screening of a match more devastating than those on the Stade de France on 13 November, Cazeneuve said more training has been planned.

According to senior officials handling Euro 2016 security, explosives sweeps of all fan zones will be done when they open each day, with systematic pat downs and the possibility of metal detectors being installed at entrances. Fans carrying
large bags will not be allowed inside and the areas will be placed under video surveillance.

Cazeneuve revealed the state will contribute up to £1.6 million for video surveillance in the fan zones.

Organisers announced last month that about 10,000 people had been hired for security, among them 900 guards mobilised for each of the 51 matches.

Tournament organisers are in charge of security within stadiums, with French authorities dealing with it outside, meaning the privately hired security guards handling entrances and interior of fan zones will not be armed

Paul Ayorinde

World Sailing Prohibits Two Kiteboarding Events

World Sailing has listed two International Federation of Kitesports Organisations (IFKO) events as Prohibited Events under the World Sailing Eligibility Code.

The 1st Junior Kitesports Freestyle World Cup (7-10 April) and the Kitefoil Silver Cup GP World Series (12-16 May) have been included on the Prohibited Events list following improper designation as a world event [Regulation 19.15(c)] and using an improper organizing authority [Regulation 19.15(d)].

World Sailing received no assurances that the 1st Junior Kitesports Freestyle World Cup and the Kitefoil Silver Cup GP World Sailing will be run under the appropriate rules or standards for kiteboarding and therefore have listed the events as prohibited.

World Sailing is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and SportAccord as the world governing body of sailing, which includes kiteboarding (on water). The IFKO’s recent establishment and governance claims to kiteboarding does not alter World Sailing’s responsibilities.

To date World Sailing have developed the racing rules for freestyle, wave and speed kiteboarding, secured the introduction of kiteboarding to the Youth Olympic Games, supported the creation of the World Kite Tour and promoted recognised world championships through the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) and separate World Cup events in the freestyle, wave and slalom disciplines.

Part of World Sailing’s responsibilities is to ensure ensure that events take place within the structure of the rules and are run to appropriate standards for the event and protection of competitors.

World Sailing is committed to developing relationships with the IFKO to ensure the long term growth of the discipline.

Lagos FA Cup: Goodland Rangers Knock Defending Champions Out

A 14 second strike by Ibrahim Gbadamosi of Goodland Rangers FC was all it took to send the 2014/2015 champions, Christ Ambassadors FC out of this year’s edition of the Winners Golden Bet powered Lagos State FA Cup.

The much anticipated match played at the Agege Stadium, Agege saw the Ajuma Ottache tortured side, Goodland Rangers FC score with their first kick when Ibrahim Gbadamosi scored the only goal of the match after just 14 seconds to take his side to the Round of 16.

Past champions AS Racines Fc also crashed out of the Championship when they lost by Penalties to Gbagada FC, Gbagada FC had earlier equalized with the last kick of the match to take the game to a 2-2 draw after full time.

Ibrahim Gbadamosi who won the Most Valuable Player award of the match, stated that the match was not easy and that they had to dig deep for them to win the match, He however gave thanks to God for the award, adding that his job as a striker is to score goals and scoring the winning goal against the defending champions was a thing of joy to him.

In other matches played on Monday in the round of 32 at the ongoing WGB Sponsored Lagos State FA Cup, C.O.D United defeated FC Robo Warriors by 2 goals to nothing, Also Messiah football club beat Oceaniag football club by another 2 goals to nothing to move to the next round.

On Thursday, Future Stars football club will confront G Innovation football club AT 7:30 AM at Agege Stadium, Agege, while Anointed Stars football club will take on Bridge football club in the second match of the day.

Coach Ogunnike presenting the MVP cash award of 15Thousand Naira to Ibrahim Gbadamosi of Goodland Rangers FC after his goal sent out the defending champions, Christ Ambassadors FC.

At 2:00PM, It will be the turn of LSDPC football club vs First Bank football club for a place in the round of 16, while Teslim Thunder Balogun football club play ODIC football club in the last game of the day.

Dotun Coker, Chairman of Technical committee of Lagos State FA as expressed satisfaction with the standard of the championship so far, saying almost all the clubs participating showed some level of improvement, hence the reason for the close results. Adding that they also displayed a high level of discipline in the games.

MFM’s Coach Obinna: “Kano Pillars Will Fall In Lagos”

Assistant head coach of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club of Lagos, Alli Suleman Obinna has declared that Kano Pillars football club will fall in Lagos on Wednesday in Match Day 8 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) tie involving the two sides.

The Agege Stadium will witness yet another interesting and entertain top flight action as the Olukoya Boys go head to head with four times league champions, the Sai Masu Gida but coach Alli believes the visitors will fail in flying colours.

He said: “Kano Pillars are a very good team, they’ve been in the league before us, you know we just came back from Owerri where we lost to Heartland fc, I strongly believe we are not going to lose two matches in a row. On Wednesday, by the special grace of God, Kano Pillars will fall and we will claim the three points.

“Experience matters a lot in football but at the same time MFM FC has some experienced players who can match the Kano Pillars team, in football you can’t tell because anything can happen but I strongly believe that MFM FC is a team that people will look up to before the season ends,” he told MFM FC Media.

The Lagos-based team is second on the NPFL table with 13 points from 7 league games while the visitors occupy the third spot on the log with 11 points. A win for MFM will take them to the league summit again.

Team Nigeria Gets Opponents As ITTF Junior Circuit Serves Off In Egypt

Team Nigeria players were handed a tough draw at the 2016 ITTF Junior Circuit tagged Egypt Open, which serves off on Wednesday March 23 at the Cairo International Stadium.

The four-man team including the Coach, Dotun Omoniyi was sponsored to the tournament by the President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi, who believes the young players should be exposed early to international tournaments.

In the boys’ cadet singles event, Abayomi Animasahun has been drawn in Group 14 alongside Egypt’s duo of Mohamed Abdelghany and Omar Allam, while Amadi Omeh is in Group 15 with Egypt’s Mohamed Elzaki and Karim Kandil.

In group 16, Nigeria’s Azeez Solanke and Sunday Akomolafe have been drawn in same group with Egypt’s pair of Yousef Saied and Mahmoud Mahdy.

In the mini cadet boys’ singles event, Animasahun will battle against Egypt’s duo of Ziad Elshawa and Amr Mahfouz in Group three.

In the junior boys’ grouping, the trio of Solanke, Akomolafe and Omeh will battle their Egyptian counterparts on Wednesday March 23 for places in the second round of the championship.

Abayomi Animasahun

In his remarks before the team’s departure on Tuesday March 22, President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi charged the players to be good ambassadors and also make the country proud.

“I know you are already champions and you should also see this chance as an opportunity to prove yourself and ensure that you display the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the competition. I wish you well and try and give your best,” Oshodi said.

Gbayi Opens Can Of Worms In Judo

A board member of the Nigeria Judo Federation, Segun Gbayi has appealed to the Honorable Minister of Youths and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung to come to their aid and urgently arrest the dwindling fortune of the sport in Nigeria.

Gbayi traced the problem being faced by NJF to the leadership problem after ignorantly electing Prince Timothy Nsirim as the federation president.

“The president of the Nigeria Judo Federation’ Prince Timothy Nsirim does not know where the shoe pinches and does not know anything about the sport”.

He alleged Nsirim of conniving with the Secretary of the NJF of human trafficking as they use international competitions to collect money from individuals and smuggle them out of the country under the guise of going for tournaments.

Gbayi said this has continued to affect the country in international circuit which will have a ripple on the Ministry of Sports and the honorable minister if not urgently tackled.

The players representative on the board absolved the current Chairman of Obiapor Local Government of Rivers state of any blame because he was voted for, without the voters doing a proper background check on him. He explained that after committing the fatal mistake, they have done so many things to correct it with every move turning out to be futile.

“We tried to correct it last year, but, they (NSC) are saying we should allow him finish his tenure”.

“But, as it is right now, judo is not making the Olympics. We came back with a very bad result at the All African Game. It is because we have a wrong person as the president.”

“I pray that the ministry of sports will sit us back again and let buys put the right person in the right position.”

Speaking further, Gbayi revealed that Nsirim was impeached in 2014 before the AAG, but the then Director General of the National Sports Commission, Alhassan Yakmut appealed to the aggrieved members on the need for peace and giving the impeached president a grace of 3months to turn a new leaf.

“As I am talking to you now, months after the All African Games, there has been no single board meeting. He has remained incommunicado.” “Judo is going behind on a regular basis which is bad in the history of judo in Nigeria.”

A baffled Gbayi concluded that despite being impeached by 8 other members of the board, Nsirim is still clinging on to power.