Is Ronda Rousey the best fighter in Mixed Martial Arts?

One look at Ronda Rousey in glossy Hollywood magazines and it will be difficult to believe that this lady has the capacity to break a man’s leg in four different places with little fuss.

The 28-year-old UFC star is one of Mix Martial Arts biggest stars and she currently stands undefeated since making her debut. In fact, only one of her fights has gone beyond the first round as she is reputed for disposing her opponents with a few minutes.

UFC Star Ronda Rousey in action

In a recent interview, UFC president, Dana White who had earlier vowed to keep women away from the world of MMA stated that he had initial doubt about Rousey’s abilities but admits that she has shown greater technical qualities than most men.

“The thing that’s scary is, Ronda’s still learning. Every time Ronda comes out, she looks better. She came in here as a judo fighter. Well, now she’s becoming a well-rounded fighter,” White said.

“She’s changing the way we look at women. And she’s changing the way women look at themselves, definitely little girls.

When we were growing up, you were told, ‘You little girls play over here and boys play over here.’ Ronda Rousey smashes that whole thing,” he added.

Ronda Rousey

The fighting beauty has featured in two movies that will be released later this year and she was also the lead female star in the Expendables 3. However, Rousey insists are priority is first to be a fighter.

“I always prioritize fighting first. Everything comes from fighting. The only reason Hollywood is interested in me at all is because I fight and I win. So I have to protect that,” Rousey said.

Shehu Bello
Ameboports.com

Tendulkar Announced As ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Ambassador

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced Sachin Tendulkar as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Ambassador. It will be the second successive time that the India maestro will be the Ambassador of ICC’s pinnacle tournament, after he fulfilled the role in the previous event, which was co-hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka in 2011.

In his role as ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Ambassador, Tendulkar will promote and support a variety of ICC initiatives to enhance the profile of the tournament, which is the third biggest sporting event in the world and will take place in Australia and New Zealand from 14 February to 29 March.

Tendulkar retired from international cricket last year after representing his country in 200 Tests, 463 One-Day Internationals and one Twenty20 International. In a career spanning 24 years, the 41-year-old scored a total of 34,357 international runs and 100 centuries.

Tendulkar added the missing World Cup title to his long list of achievements in his sixth attempt in 2011. He is the all-time leading run-getter in World Cup history with 2,278 runs in 45 matches at an average of 56.95. For his 673 runs in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, he was awarded player of the tournament as India finished runner-up to Australia.

Commenting on his appointment, Tendulkar said: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed ICC Cricket World Cup Ambassador for the second successive time.

“After playing in the last six editions, the upcoming World Cup will be a different experience as I will follow it from the sidelines. It could probably be comparable to the ICC Cricket World Cup 1987 where I was a ball boy, enthusiastically cheering every ball.

“The excitement of the World Cup grows with every new edition and this year’s host nations, Australia and New Zealand, are known for their sporting culture, great cricket facilities and knowledgeable crowds. Lifting the World Cup is every international cricketer’s quest and the tournament brings out the best of individuals and competing teams.

Sachin Tendulkar

“The image of the champion team lifting the World Cup inspires many youngsters around the world and gives them a dream to chase – a dream which I fulfilled after 22 years of relentless pursuit by being part of the victorious Indian team in 2011.”

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “The ICC is delighted to once again have Sachin as an Ambassador for its biggest and most prestigious tournament. Sachin is not only an inspiration to cricketers but to all sportspeople for his endurance, perseverance, talent, personality and commitment to the game.”

The 11th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup kicks off in Christchurch on 14 February when co-host New Zealand take on former champion Sri Lanka. On the same day at the picturesque Melbourne Cricket Ground, four-time world champion Australia will square-off against England, which reached the final the last time the event was staged in Australia/New Zealand in 1992.

A total of 49 matches will be played across 14 venues, seven in New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Napier, Nelson and Wellington) and seven in Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney).

The format of the tournament is the same as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, i.e. two groups of seven sides each, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. All the knock-out stage matches will have reserve days.

Apart from the 10 Full Members, four qualifiers – Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates – will take part in the tournament.

The official tournament hashtag is #cwc15

ICC Launch Fans’ Chance To Pick Their Greatest World Cup XI, #CWCGreatestXI

ICC Launch Fans’ Chance To Pick Their Greatest World Cup XI: Matthew Hayden first to share his All Time Greatest XI

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 begins on February 14 when New Zealand takes on Sri Lanka in the tournament opener in Christchurch. With less than two months to go, ICC has launched ‘Your Greatest XI’, which will allow fans a unique chance to pick their Greatest All-Time Cricket World Cup XI from the previous 10 editions of the event.

The ICC database consists of over 100 of the greatest World Cup players of all-time. A photo and a short Pen Profile that describes their World Cup record and their memorable impact at the event is available for each player. The ICC also lists detailed World Cup statistics for each of the players.

The players fall under four different categories – batsmen, bowlers, all-rounders, and wicketkeepers. Each XI you choose should feature at least two batsmen, one all-rounder, one wicketkeeper, and two bowlers.

You can pick your Greatest XI here: http://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup/greatest-xi

Sachin Tendulkar

And if fans share their team on social media, they stand to be in with a chance to win exclusive World Cup merchandise with dozens of exclusive pieces of memorabilia being drawn for those who use the hashtag #CWCGreatestXI on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

The fans aren’t the only ones who will be participating in this. Several cricketing legends across the world will pick the greats they think should make the Greatest XI, and these will be shared on the ICC website.

Matthew Hayden, the former Australian opener, was the first one to do so. His pick includes four Australians – Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Ricky Ponting, who is also the captain of the side.

Apart from Warne, Muttiah Muralidaran, ODI cricket’s leading wicket-taker with 534 scalps, is the other spinner in the team, which has Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, Pakistan’s famed new-ball duo, to accompany McGrath in the seam bowling department.

Gilchrist is Hayden’s wicketkeeper, while Virender Sehwag is Gilchrist’s opening partner. The rest of the batting wears a solid look, with Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Jacques Kallis, four of 10 batsmen who belong to the 10,000-run club in ODI cricket, making up the top/middle order.

Matthew Hayden

Kallis is the only all-rounder in the team.

Matthew Hayden’s All Time Greatest XI

Adam Gilchrist (Australia) (wicketkeeper)
Virender Sehwag (India)
Ricky Ponting (Australia) (captain)
Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Brian Lara (West Indies)
Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Shane Warne (Australia)
Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
Waqar Younis (Pakistan)
Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka)
Glenn McGrath (Australia)

Australia Aims To Reduce South Africa’s Lead At The Top Of The Table

Sixth-ranked India can rise to as high as third

Download the Reliance ICC Rankings App via http://www.icc-cricket.com/mobile to predict the outcome of the series

The four-Test series between Australia and India gets underway in Adelaide on 9 December, with the host aiming to reduce South Africa’s lead at the top of the Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings, and India looking to improve its sixth position.

Australia is currently ranked second on 117 ratings points, seven points adrift of the Proteas, while India is 21 ratings points behind in sixth position, on 96 ratings points.

Michael Clarke’s men must win the series to maintain the side’s hold on the second position and thereby, close the gap with leader South Africa. If Australia is to win the series 4-0, it would close the gap on South Africa to four ratings points, with India dropping to seventh, while a 3-1 win will reduce the Proteas’ lead to six ratings points.

In contrast, a 4-0 win for the visitors would see them rise to 107 ratings points, one behind second-placed Australia. A 3-1 series victory, meanwhile, would see it join England on 104 points, although Alastair Cook’s side would hold a slender 0.4 point advantage when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.

A 2-2 series deadlock will see both sides maintaining their pre-series rankings, although Australia would drop to 114 points while India will rise to 99 ratings points.

Number-one ranked South Africa will face West Indies in a three-match Test series that starts on 17 December at Centurion.

To find out exactly how the forthcoming series will affect the Test Rankings Table, please click here. The Test Rankings tables, unlike the ODI and T20I Test Rankings Table, is updated an end of the series.

Meanwhile, Australia opener David Warner in sixth place will start the series as the highest-ranked batsman from either side in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen. The left-hander is five ratings points adrift of South Africa’s Hashim Amla in sixth position.

In all, there are three Australia batsmen in the top 20, with Michael Clarke (11th) and Steven Smith (13th) also aiming for upwards movement.

Heading into the series, India’s highest-ranked batsmen are Cheteshwar Pujara (17th), Virat Kohli (27th) and MS Dhoni (30th).

In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers, Ryan Harris (second) is the highest ranked bowler, 54 points behind number-one ranked Dale Steyn of South Africa and two places ahead of his team-mate Mitchell Johnson (fourth).

India’s highest-ranked bowler is 28-year-old off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (12th), two rankings spots ahead of Australia’s Peter Siddle.

India’s Ashwin is in second position in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test All-rounders, 41 points adrift of Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan. ICC Cricketer of the Year Mitchell Johnson lies in fifth place, 15 points shy of England’s Stuart Broad.

Upcoming fixtures

Australia v India

9-13 Dec – 1st Test, Adelaide

17-21 Dec – 2nd Test, Brisbane

26-30 Dec – 3rd Test, Melbourne

6-10 Jan – 4th Test, Sydney

South Africa v West Indies

17-21 Dec – 1st Test, Centurion

26-30 Dec – 2nd Test, Port Elizabeth

2-6 Jan – 3rd Test, Cape Town

Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings (as on 7 December, ahead of Australia-India Test series)

Rank Team Rating

1 South Africa 124
2 Australia 117
3 England 104
4 Pakistan 103
5 Sri Lanka 101
6 India 96
7 New Zealand 94
8 West Indies 75
9 Bangladesh 32
10 Zimbabwe 18

(Developed by David Kendix)

Reliance ICC Test Player Rankings (as on 7 December, ahead of Australia-India Test series):

Batsmen

Rank Player Team Points Ave HS Rating
1 K. Sangakkara SL 915 58.76 938 v Eng at Kandy 2007
2 AB de Villiers SA 888 51.02 935 v Aus at Port Elizabeth 2014
3 S.Chanderpaul WI 887 53.10 901 v NZ at Napier 2008
4 Angelo Mathews SL 873! 52.65 873 v Pak at Colombo (SSC) 2014
5 Hashim Amla SA 863 51.32 907 v Pak at Abu Dhabi 2013
6 David Warner Aus 858 47.47 875 v Pak at Dubai 2014
7 Younus Khan Pak 818 53.37 880 v SL at Lahore 2009
8 Joe Root Eng 789! 50.94 789 v Ind at The Oval 2014
9 Ross Taylor NZ 783 45.95 871 v WI at Hamilton 2013
10 Misbah-ul-Haq Pak 777 49.15 842 v NZ at Abu Dhabi 2014

Selected Rankings

Rank Player Team Points Ave HS Rating
11 Michael Clarke Aus 755 50.59 900 v SL at Melbourne 2012
13 Steven Smith Aus 730 40.39 737 v SA at Cape Town 2014
17 C. Pujara Ind 691 49.26 851 v SA at Durban 2013
25 Chris Rogers Aus 623* 36.06 694 v Eng at Sydney 2014
27 Virat Kohli Ind 618 39.46 784 v NZ at Wellington 2014
30 MS Dhoni Ind 607 38.46 662 v SA at Kolkata 2010
35 Shane Watson Aus 574 36.25 729 v Eng at Perth 2010
36 Murali Vijay Ind 569 36.29 652 v Eng at Lord’s 2014
46 Ajinkya Rahane Ind 531* 39.88 612 v Eng at The Rose Bowl 2014
49 Brad Haddin Aus 518 34.20 637 v WI at Perth 2009
51 Rohit Sharma Ind 504* 48.90 578 v NZ at Wellington 2014
52 R. Ashwin Ind 503* 38.86 527 v Eng at Old Trafford 2014
64 Shikhar Dhawan Ind 429* 38.58 475 v NZ at Wellington 2014
79 Shaun Marsh Aus 373* 32.86 432 v SA at Centurion 2014
89 M. Johnson Aus 333 22.24 477 v Eng at Lord’s 2009
96 Mitchell Marsh Aus 316*! 41.00 316 v Pak at Abu Dhabi 2014

Bowlers

Rank Player Team Points Ave HS Rating
1 Dale Steyn SA 907 22.56 908 v Pak at Johannesburg 2013
2 Ryan Harris Aus 853 22.56 870 v SA at Cape Town 2014
3 Rangana Herath SL 851! 29.06 851 v Pak at Colombo (SSC) 2014
4 M. Johnson Aus 844 27.47 849 v Pak at Dubai 2014
5 James Anderson Eng 806 29.72 813 v Ind at Edgbaston 2011
6 V. Philander SA 785 21.57 912 v Ind at Johannesburg 2013
7 Stuart Broad Eng 774 29.90 783 v WI at Lord’s 2012
8 Kemar Roach WI 768! 25.98 768 v Ban at St Lucia 2014
9 Trent Boult NZ 762* 27.85 767 v Ind at Wellington 2014
10 Tim Southee NZ 744 30.67 799 v WI at Kingston 2014

Selected Rankings

Rank Player Team Points Ave HS Rating
12 R. Ashwin Ind 710 28.65 808 v WI at Mumbai 2013
14 Peter Siddle Aus 691 30.20 816 v Eng at Old Trafford 2013
19 Ishant Sharma Ind 588 36.75 671 v WI at Dominica 2011
23 Nathan Lyon Aus 538 35.80 648 v Eng at Melbourne 2013
28 Ravindra Jadeja Ind 505* 30.37 570 v SA at Durban 2013
37 Shane Watson Aus 412* 31.95 633 v SA at Cape Town 2011
38 B. Kumar Ind 409* 30.25 443 v Eng at Old Trafford 2014
41 Mitchell Starc Aus 394* 35.34 432 v Eng at The Oval 2013
47 M. Shami Ind 361* 36.31 422 v NZ at Wellington 2014
88 Steven Smith Aus 181*! 48.00 181 v Pak at Abu Dhabi 2014
97= Michael Clarke Aus 132* 37.93 265 v NZ at Wellington 2005
Varun Aaron Ind 132*! 47.37 132 v Eng at The Oval 2014

All-rounders

Rank Player Team Points HS Rating
1 Shakib Al Hasan Ban 398 419 v Zim at Khulna 2014
2 Ravichandran Ashwin Ind 357*/ 419 v WI at Mumbai 2013
3 Vernon Philander SA 348*/ 376 v Aus at Cape Town 2014
4 Stuart Broad Eng 296 382 v Pak at Abu Dhabi 2012
5 Mitchell Johnson Aus 281 384 v Eng at Cardiff 2009

* indicates provisional rating; a batsman qualifies for a full rating after playing 40 Test innings; a bowler qualifies for a full rating when he reaches 100 Test wickets.

Alaafin, Umar For Ayoolopon Grand-Finale

(Ayoolopon Challenge) The winner of female game Mrs Moradeyo Funmilayo been presented with her gift. photo credit Olufemi Ajao

The stage is set for the grand finale of the maiden Ayoolopon Challenge Series and festival scheduled to hold in Oyo Town as the organisers have earmarked the sum of one million naira as price money for winners of the competition supported by the Mtn.

Eighteen winners have qualified for the grandfinale holding as from today till Friday at the KC Hotel and Agbalakooko Aafin of Alaafin of Oyo with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the commissioner for youth and sport, Farouk Umar Alao expected as the special guests of honour during the closing ceremony as well as chairmen of local governments in Oyo Town.

Femi Abioye, Chief executive officer, Dekaizen Worldwide Limited told pressmen that all necessary arrangements have been concluded to make the event a memorable one that will remain in memory of participants for a long time.

Abioye promised that a series of activities have been lined up to spice up the grand finale, he informed that the there will be the “Oyo Challenge” where winners will emerge before going into the final stage of the competition, adding that apart from the cash reward, there are other valuable prices to be won.

“”This event is aimed at promoting our cultural heritage and encourage the participation of the youths in what is known to be predominantly for elderly people.

Also,there will be crowning of the Oba Ota as the national champion.

Previously the Abekuta leg of the event was held at the NUT Multipurpose hall, while the Ile ife leg of the series was held at the Heritage multipurpose hall and produced nine winners each.

Lagos Chess Classic Holds Oct. 21-25, Attracts Indian Grandmaster

Lagos State Chess Association (LSCA) has announced dates for the 2nd Lagos Chess International Classic which will also feature a mentoring program and exhibition game to be conducted by a Chess Grand Master from India, Sviran Jha.

Rising from a tournament progress review meeting yesterday, the board of the LSCA headed by Fela Bank-Olemoh said preparations have reached advanced level and registration have already commenced.

“The Lagos International Chess Classic has come to stay after the successful take-off last year and we are working on making Lagos a global destination for Chess”, stated Bank-Olemoh who also disclosed that the second edition has grown bigger in prize money, attendance and spread.

“This time, we have prize money of $6000 which is almost a million Naira and this is the biggest prize money for any competition in Africa

“Participants are coming from East Africa, North Africa and our neighbours in West Africa which makes it unprecedented for any tournament on the continent”, the LSCA Chairman declared.

He said the Classic has been sanctioned by the world Chess Federation known as FIDE and noted that “the tournament will provide opportunity for Nigerian players to chuck up more points to improve their rating and ultimately get some good ranking”.

Jha, the Indian Chess expert will be conducting a training program for interested participants on October 25 and as part of the drill, he will play an exhibition game against 20 players simultaneously.

“We are not only bringing the Grand Master to brush up our players, we will be show-casing classical Chess as he will engage at least 20 players on different boards at the same time. This is highly educative and thrilling”, Bank-Olemoh stated.

The Classic is sponsored by the Lagos State government.

Ayoolopon Challenge Series: Adeoye, Moradeyo Pick Ile Ife Tickets As MTN Empowers Winners

Ayoolopon Challenge Series: Adeoye, Moradeyo Pick Ile Ife Tickets As MTN Empowers Winners.

Johnson Adeoye of Ife East Local government last weekend emerged the winner of the Ile Ife leg of the Ayoolopon for All Initiative Challenge Series beating Adesoji Adedire also of the same local government to the title thus qualifying for the grand finale in Oyo Town, Oyo State later this month.

(Ayoolopon Challenge) The winner of female game Mrs Moradeyo Funmilayo been presented with her gift. photo credit Olufemi Ajao

Funmilayo Moradeyo won the Women’s category, while Ayoranmi Toromade and Sadiat Olanrewaju finished second and third to pick the two remaining tickets available for the grand finale.

With this results the MTN Nigeria supported initiative now has 18 qualifiers from the Abeokuta and Ile Ife challenge series set for the finals from the 15th of this month in Oyo Town, Oyo State.

Speaking after the closing and prize presentation ceremony of the Challenge which got a Royal blessing with presence of Oba Folorunso Omisakin, the Obalufe of Iremo, ile Ife, Femi Abioye the coordinator of the project expressed delight over the turn out of participants and fans alike, adding that it could only get better.

Ayoolopon Challenge. The winner of the male game Mr Adeoye Johnson with his gift. photo credit Olufemi Ajao

Abioye also thanked the sponsors of the Ayoolopon initiative, MTN Nigeria for their support, urging other corporate organizations to emulate MTN by identifying with their immediate environment.

Also present at the closing ceremony where various empowering items were presented to the winners was the General Manager of Osun State Sports Council, Akin Adio and chief Tunde Akintilebo, chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Ife central chapter amongst other dignitaries.

Ayedun Seun and Adedayo Ademola are the other qualifiers in the Male category, while the three day challenge also featured a special “teach the Kids class”.

Ayoolopon For All Initiative’s Abeokuta City Challenge Comes To A Close With Fanfare

The first in the series of ayoolopon city challenge initiated by dekaizen worldwide limited and supported by MTN came to a festive close with the top five players in male and top four players in the female category qualifying to take part in the grand finale & festival scheduled for october in Oyo town.

At the closing ceremony which took place on the 3rd day of the abeokuta challenge series under the chairmanship of the Honourable commissioner of sport and youth development, Ogun state who was represented by the Director of Sports, Adeshola Faleti and ably supported by his management staff.

Other dignitries who graced the last day of the challenge series include the chairman of National Union of Teachers,Ogun state Comrade Dare Ilekoya, the MD/CEO premium Sports Miss Nkechi Obi, Mrs. Edun, the iyalaje of Oba lipede ultra modern market Kuto, the chairman Traditional sports Association in the state and Mr Ifeanyi Otuya the Regional Trade Marketing Manager, representing MTN.

The first place prize in the male open challenge went to Akanbi Rasheed from Abeokuta North LGA while Aderonke Lawal from Abeokuta South LGA won the female open challenge. winners won various item which include Generators, gas cookers, Andriod phones and all the Nine qualifiers also got cash subsidy from the organisers to enable them participate at the grand finale festival

The highlight of the closing ceremony was the donation of branded Ayolopon boards to the sports department of MKO polytechnic,University of Agric. (UNAB) and Federal College of Education with the Sports Director of the Student Union Government present to receive the donations on behalf of their institutions.

Other beneficiaries of the boards include Ogun state SWAN, the NUT Ogun state branch, Kuto Market traders association and Ogun state Traditional sports Association to encourage and promote the Ayoolopon for all initiative.

Ile Ife will host the second in the series of the Ayoolopon City challenge from the Ist to 3rd of october while the grand finale festival and crowning of the Oba o’ta of the Challenge serie will hold in Oyo town from the I5th to I7th of October.

Registration For Ayo Olopon Still On…,As Event Begins On Wednesday.

The registration process for the first edition of Ayo Olopon Challenge Series is still on with the organizers of the tournament urging interested participants to send their registration through a short code number 33073 on any network sending their name, age and location to be registered for the tournament.

The Challenge Series that commences on the 24th of this month with the Abeokuta leg is expected to be declared open by the honorable commissioner for Sports in Ogun State, Lanre Tejuoso.

Femi Abioye, the Chief Task Assigner of Dekaizen Worldwide Limited organisers of the event said that in an efforts to take the game to the grassroots some selected private and public secondary schools in Ogun State have been invited to play in the developmental segment of the tournament.

Abioye stated that the challenge series which has the backing of telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria will hold in Abeokuta till the 26th before the train moves to Ile-Ife, Osun State from the 1st of October to 3rd with the grand finale holding in Oyo Town, Oyo State from 15th to 17th of October where the grand commander (Oba’Otaa) will be crowned.

He disclosed that over 1 million Naira will be won in prize money by the finalists in a graduating manner.

Ayo Olopon Challenge Series Debuts

Ayo Olopon Challenge Series Debuts…,With Mobile Apps Set For Launch

In an effort to reawaken tradition sports in the country and to encourage the younger generation to take part and participate in indigenous sports, Dekaizen Worldwide Limited has unveil plans for the Ayo Olopon for all initiative, with the full support of MTN Nigeria.

The initiative is tailored towards promoting and popularizing the game of Ayo Olopon among the younger generation, taking advantage of information technology through the use of mobile applications, such as mobile phones, Tablets, IPads and computers.

According to the Chief Task Assigner, Femi Abioye the initiative will see the company organise a three cities challenge which culminate in a grand finale in Oyo Town, Oyo State, the town regarded as the home of the sport.

Abioye disclosed that during the three cities challenge series, the participants and the the public will have the opportunity to learn and download the mobile apps of Ayo Olopon on their mobile applications to play and practice on the go.

He informed that Abeokuta, Ile Ife and Oyo Town will host the challenge series with Abeokuta hosting from 24th of this month to the 26th and Ile Ife playing host to the series from 1st of next month to the 3rd, while the grand finale with the festival fun-fare in Oyo Town will see the 10 top players from the two previous challenge series battling it out in the finals holding from 15th of October to 17th of the month.

Abioye stated that the Grand Master, (Oba O’Ta) will be crowned after the finals with the top participants sharing over 1 million Naira in prize money.

While appealing to corporate organizations to support the Ayo Olopon For All initiative, He expressed gratitude to MTN Nigeria for their support and encouragement for the project.

Sports Writers Engage In Vita Glucose D Sponsored Tug-Of-War Competition

Lagos SWAN Tug of war tourney 2: Team Newfanzone.com

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos Chapter) dropped their pen to participate in the 2014 Vita Glucose D Tug-Of-War competition at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Members of SWAN from News Agency of Nigeria, New Fan Zone, Mirror and Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) all flexed their muscles in the two days tournament.

News Agency of Nigeria who presented two teams ( Team 1&2) topped the table after day one with 6 points, the New Fan Zone inspired by their team captain, Sola Rogers are joint leaders with 6 points also, while team Mirror and the NAN team 2 are tied on 3 points. Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) are rock bottom after day 1 one with no points.

Lagos SWAN chairman, Fred Edoreh who was part of Team Mirror stated that the partnership between SWAN and Vita Health Limited, makers of Vita Glucose D has just started and the Tug-Of-War competition is just one out of the series of events Vita Glucose D will sponsor.

“This is a new partnership and the Tug-Of-War competition is one out of the many more events expected to come out of the partnership between Vita Health Ltd and the Sports Writers Association Of Nigeria (SWAN) Lagos chapter,” Edoreh confirmed.

Lagos SWAN Tug of war tourney 2014

Alonge Akinlolu

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Swedish ice hockey player Nicklas Backstrom to receive Sochi silver medal

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced a decision in the case of Swedish ice hockey player Nicklas Backstrom who participated in the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.

Backstrom, 26, tested positive on 19 February for the presence of pseudoephedrine (PSE) in excess of the applicable decision limit of 170 µg/mL. He was provisionally suspended from competing in the final of the men’s ice hockey competition between Sweden and Canada.

The IOC Disciplinary Commission (DC), composed of Anita L. DeFrantz (Chairperson), Nawal El Moutawakel and Claudia Bokel, found that the provisional suspension was fully justified, not only due to the presence in excess of the applicable decision limit of PSE in his urine sample, but also due to the fact that the athlete conceded at the hearing, which took place shortly before the final match, that he had also taken medication containing PSE earlier that day.

The IOC DC took into account in particular that the athlete had been cooperative, had disclosed the medication in question in the doping control form and had relied on the specific advice of his team doctor that the intake of the medication would not give rise to an adverse analytical finding. There was also no indication of any intent of the athlete to improve his performance by taking a prohibited substance. Based upon these mitigating circumstances, the IOC DC considered that the athlete should be entitled to receive the silver medal and diploma awarded for men’s ice hockey.

Under the IOC Anti-Doping Rules applicable to the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games, testing took place under the IOC’s auspices from 30 January (the date of the opening of the Olympic Villages) to 23 February 2014 (the date of the Closing Ceremony). Within that period, the IOC systematically performed tests before and after events and oversaw the most stringent anti-doping programme in Olympic Winter Games history. In total, 2,667 tests were conducted, surpassing the previous record set at Vancouver 2010 by 518 tests. Of the 2,667 tests, 477 were blood tests and 2,190 were urine tests.