Upon request of the International Sports Shooting Federation (ISSF), the IOC Executive Board today revoked the Olympic Qualification status of the Asian Shooting Championship taking place in Kuwait City between 1 and 12 November.
The decision comes after the designated Technical Delegate from the ISSF, Yair Davidovich (Israel), who was due to supervise the event on behalf of the ISSF, was denied a visa by the Kuwaiti Immigration Department.
The denial of a visa is against the non-discrimination principle of the Olympic Charter. The Olympic Charter must apply for all Olympic Qualification competitions.
Another reason for the decision is the fact that the Kuwait NOC is currently suspended by the IOC due to governmental interference against the rules of the Olympic Charter. The KOC is not entitled to participate in any activity connected with the Olympic Movement or exercise any right conferred upon it by the Olympic Charter or the IOC. This includes, in particular, any activity organised by associations of NOCs to which the KOC is affiliated.
Six male and three female 470 teams have booked their nation a spot on the start line of the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition following the 2015 470 World Championship in Haifa, Israel.
Out of the 26 Men’s 470 and 20 Women’s 470 boats that will be seen at the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition six men’s and three women’s spots were available at the 2015 Worlds. Thirteen men’s and ten women’s places were decided over one year ago at the Santander 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships with the large percentage of spots now sealed.
The six Men’s 470 nations to qualify for Rio 2016 from the 2015 470 Worlds (in nation order) are:
Argentina
Finland
Germany
Israel
South Africa
Turkey
470 Worlds – AUS Women
The three Women’s 470 nations to qualify for Rio 2016 (in nation order) are:
Australia
Germany
Poland
Australia’s Mat Belcher clinched his sixth consecutive Men’s 470 world title in Haifa, his third with Will Ryan following a successful partnership with Malcolm Page.
Lara Vadlau and Jolanta Ogar of Austria defended their women’s crown in Haifa with a convincing margin of points over Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark (GBR).
As hosts, Brazil automatically receives a place on the start line. Six places in the Men’s and Women’s 470 fleets will be awarded via a series of Continental Qualification Events sanctioned by ISAF, to finish by 1 June 2016 at the latest.
The inclusion for the first time by ISAF of Continental Qualification Events in the Qualification Pathway is an opportunity to develop sailing around the world and reflect the IOC Qualification System Principles. Key requirements of these Principles are to ensure the participation of the best athletes and ensure universality through continental representation.
The medal rush at the 2015 World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France began today with the four para-rowing boat classes.
Australia had a great start to these championships with two gold medals. Erik Horrie took gold in the para men’s single sculls (ASM1x) to become a three-time World Champion. Horrie stayed ahead of 2008 Paralympic Champion, Tom Aggar of Great Britain with Igor Bondar of Ukraine in third.
Australia’s second gold came in the para mixed double sculls (TAMix2x). Gavin Bellis and Kathryn Ross successfully defended their World Championship title in the double holding off Great Britain and France. Bellis commented on the tight finish, “It’s amazing to have such a close race, it is great for the sport.”
MEDALS FOR PARA-ROWERS AT 2015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Israel’s Moran Samuel improved on her 2014 silver medal by becoming a World Champion for the first time in the para women’s single sculls (ASW1x). Samuel finished ahead of Great Britain’s Rachel Morris and the 2014 World Champion Birgit Skarstein of Norway.
Overall Great Britain finished second on the para-rowing medals table winning medals in all four boat classes. Their best result came in the para mixed coxed four (LTAMix4+) when they defended their World Championship title by outsprinting the United States. Canada finished with bronze in this boat class.
Today’s racing also included semi-finals for six Olympic boat classes. These crews not only earn places in the A-finals but also secured Rio 2016 Olympic qualification spots. The men’s and women’s pairs have been dominated by New Zealand’s Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, and Great Britain’s Helen Glover and Heather Stanning respectively in recent years. Both are the reigning Olympic Champions and both have now qualified for the Rio Olympics. They will go to Saturday’s finals as favourites.
The lightweight men’s double sculls of France is looking in good form to lead the way. Jeremie Azou and Stany Delayre finished ahead of the reigning World Champions South Africa in their semi-final. For the lightweight women’s double sculls Canada’s Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee won their semi-final and recorded a time slightly faster than the winner of the other semi-final, current World Champions Sophie MacKenzie and Julia Edward of New Zealand. They will meet in Saturday’s final.
Italy and the Netherlands are looking in winning form in the men’s four after winning their respective semi-finals today. Neither crew has dominated through this season, and they will both be pushed hard by Great Britain and Australia. The men’s quadruple sculls saw a turn of events when the World Champions Ukraine missed out on making the A-final. Instead an outstanding performance by Lithuania brought a new boat through to the final when they won their semi-final . They will meet Germany, the winner of the second semi-final, in Saturday’s final.
Friday’s finals begin at 11:50 CET and continue through to 13:35 CET with the International boat classes. All of the finals will be live streamed on http://www.worldrowing.com.
The Para-Rowing Finals are now set for the 2015 World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France. This event started off with the largest para-rowing entry ever seen at a World Rowing Championships indicating the growth of the sport and also that this regatta doubles as the main qualification regatta for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.
The team from Great Britain has put themselves in a strong position with boats in all four finals. This is led by the rowers in their para mixed coxed four (LTAMix4+) who are the World and Paralympic Champions, and have not lost a race since 2012. The British crew will meet, for the first time in the final, the crew from the United States who recorded a very fast time in their semi-final. They will also be up against last year’s silver medallists Italy.
Looking very impressive in the para women’s single sculls (ASW1x) is Moran Samuel of Israel. Samuel dominated her semi-final and will go on to meet the reigning World Champion Birgit Skarstein of Norway in the final as well as the ever-improving Rachel Morris of Great Britain. Morris started competing in para-rowing last year with a fifth-place finish in 2014 and this year she has been improving with every race.
The para men’s single sculls (ASM1x) attracted the biggest field with 24 countries entered. This has been narrowed down to the final six with two-time World Champion Erik Horrie of Australia, the favourite to retain his position. Horrie’s regular rival Alexey Chuvashev of Russia will be aiming to dethrone the Australian hoping to win a World Championships title.
The para mixed double sculls (TAMix2x) sees the return of 2014 World Champions Gavin Ellis and Kathryn Ross of Australia. They are likely to find their strongest competition coming from Brazil’s Josiane Lima and Michel Gomes Pessanha.
The top eight boats in each para-rowing boat class will qualify for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, thus all six finalists have already guaranteed their boat for their respective country. Horrie commented after today’s race, “Qualification is stage one of this championships and it is excellent to qualify the boat for Australia.” Skarstein added, “It feels incredible to be qualified for Rio. It has been a goal since the London Olympics and I am really excited that it will be my first Paralympics.”
The para-rowing finals begin at 16:40 CET and will be live streamed on http://www.worldrowing.com. The B-finals will also be live streamed beginning at 16:08 CET.
Riders from a bigger spread of nations than ever before will line out when the FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 get underway in Aachen, Germany next week. A new high was reached when the list of definite Jumping entries was confirmed today, and a massive 28 nations will be represented, while 23 countries will field teams and five will send individuals.
The full list of nations is Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine.
This is the 32nd edition of the FEI European Jumping Championships, and the fifth time for the event to take place at Aachen. The inaugural FEI European Jumping Championship was held in Rotterdam (NED) in 1957 when German legend, Hans Gunther Winkler, claimed the title. Only individuals competed in the early editions, but as soon as the team event was introduced at Munich (GER) in 1975, Germany laid claim to that too. The German record in these championships is second to none, with 14 individual and seven team titles to their credit.
Defending the team title
However it is the British who will be defending the team title they won in Herning, Denmark two years ago when the action gets underway on Wednesday 19 August, while Frenchman Roger Yves Bost returns as defending individual champion. The British have a strong record at the Europeans, with six individual and five team titles already on the record books. Their 2013 victory came hot on the heels of their gold-medal-winning performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games, but this time around they will be without their world no 1 rider Scott Brash who was a critical member of that successful side. Michael Whitaker steps up to the challenge once again however as does Ben Maher, while the veteran Guy Williams, Joe Clee and the relative newcomer Jessica Mendoza complete the pack. The British broke a 60-year drought when winning Olympic team gold in 2012, yet they still haven’t managed to qualify for Rio 2016. So, along with many others, they will really be feeling the heat next week when the final team qualification is up for grabs.
Despite fielding a typically formidable side, Germany had to settle for silver last time around, so Christian Ahlmann, Ludger Beerbaum, Daniel Deusser, Janne Friederike Meyer and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum will be hoping to restore normal order, especially on home ground. Sweden took bronze in 2013, and Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Douglas Lindelow, Helena Persson, Henrik von Eckermann and Charlotte Mordanini will be hoping to put their country back on that podium. The Irish are in fighting form and completely focused on claiming one of the three Olympic qualifying spots available, but with so many others including the Belgians and the Swiss chasing the same goal it will be no easy feat.
There will be no place to hide from the moment the first individual qualifier begins, because every single jump will count in the battle for both the FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 titles and one of those coveted tickets for Rio.
Individual honours
Roger Yves Bost was only the fifth French rider ever to claim the individual European honours two years ago. Great Britain’s Ben Maher went into the final competition with the narrowest of leads, but a fence down saw him having to settle for silver ahead of team-mate Scott Brash who rose from overnight 10th place to take bronze when producing the only double-clear performance of the day.
Bost was following in famous footsteps, as the list of previous French champions included Pierre Durand and the legendary Jappeloup who first topped the podium at St Gallen (SUI) in 1987, Eric Navet who reigned supreme on home turf at La Baule (FRA) in 1991, Alexandra Ledermann and Rochet M – the first woman ever to take the title – who headed the line-up in Hickstead (GBR) in 1999 and Kevin Staut and Kraque Boom who were winners in Windsor (GBR) in 2009. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum is the only other female champion, pipping Belgium’s Jos Lansink in a thriller at Mannheim (GER) in 2007 during the peak of her partnership with the great Shutterfly. And in the fabulous grey Fibonacci, the American-born German rider has found an extraordinarily talented replacement, so she cannot be overlooked once the action kicks off.
However 96 riders will be carrying all their hopes and dreams onto the hallowed turf of the Soers arena at Aachen in seven days’ time, and these Championships, which have turned up some of the most memorable moments of this great sport down the years, promise plenty of drama and excitement before the 2015 champions are crowned.
Rules and Competition Format
Wednesday 19th August – First qualifying competition, individuals and teams. Table C (penalties turned into seconds added), fence height 1.50m, open to all athletes and horses declared as starters in the team and individual championship. Starting order decided by a draw.
Following this first competition the scores obtained by each athlete will be converted into points. The athlete with the lowest number of points will be given zero penalties.
Thursday 20th August – Round 1 of team competition, second individual competition. Table A, 1.60, open to all athletes who took part in the first competition. Individuals go first.
Friday 21st August – Team competition final and third individual competition. Table A, not against the clock, 1.60m. Open to the top 50 individuals who carry penalties forward from first individual qualifier and round 1 of the team event. Open to the top 10 teams following the previous day’s competition, including those tied for 10th place. In case of equality of points there will be a jump-off for the team medal positions.
Sunday 23rd August – Individual final open to 25 best-places athletes and horses including ties for 25th place. Two different 1.60m courses will be jumped, with 10-12 obstacles in round A and 8-10 obstacles in round B. Competitors will start in reverse order of merit in both rounds. Individual medals will be determined by adding together penalties from the first competition, the two rounds of the team competition and the two rounds of the final competition.
The British topped the team podium for the first time in 24 years when coming out on top at the PSI FEI European Team Jumping Championship in Herning, Denmark two years ago. This time around they will be chasing not only a back-to-back double, but also one of the three Olympic qualifying spots on offer at the FEI European Championships in Aachen, Germany. (L to R) The 2013 gold medal winning team of Scott Brash, Will Funnell, Chef d’Equipe Rob Hoekstra, Michael Whitaker and Ben Maher. (FEI/Kit Houghton)
Facts and Figures:
The FEI European Jumping Championships begin on Wednesday 19 August and run through to the individual final on Sunday 23 August.
Competitors from 28 nations will participate.
23 countries have entered teams.
5 nations will be represented by individual riders.
A total of 96 horse-and-rider combinations are listed in the definite entries (11 August 2015).
This is the 32nd edition of the FEI European Jumping Championships, and the fifth time for the event to take place in Aachen.
The inaugural FEI European Jumping Championship took place in Rotterdam (NED) in 1957.
Only individuals competed in the early Championships. The team event was first introduced at Munich (GER) in 1975.
Back-to-back individual champions – Great Britain’s David Broome with Mr Softee at Rotterdam (NED) in 1967 and Hickstead (GBR) in 1969.
Back-to-back triple champions – Germany’s Paul Schockemohle and Deister at Munich (GER) in 1981, Hickstead (GBR) in 1983 and Dinard (FRA) in 1985.
Germany holds the record for the biggest number of individual victories with 14 in total over the last 58 years.
Germany also holds the record for the greatest number of wins in the team event, with seven to date.
Only one horse has ever won the individual European Jumping title with two different riders – the Irish-bred Mr Softee who claimed gold for David Barker in 1962 and then produced back-to-back victories for fellow-Briton David Broome in 1967 and 1969.
Defending champions are the British who produced their fifth win at the last Championships staged in Herning, Denmark in 2013.
For more information on the FEI European Championships 2015 in Aachen visit http://www.aachen2015.de.
Results from the 2015 BNP Paribas World Team Cup wheelchair tennis event at the Club Ali Bey Manavgat in Antalya, Turkey on 25-31 May. A total of 52 teams from 28 countries are competing in four categories: men, women, quad and junior.
Great Britain won their first title in the Men’s World Group beating France in the two singles matches, while Australia beat Japan to get the third place.
USA won the play-off against South Africa to retain the position in the men’s world group.
The BNP Paribas World Team Cup, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2015, is the ITF’s flagship wheelchair tennis event, often referred to as the Davis and Fed Cups of wheelchair tennis. The initial event took place in California in 1985 involving six men’s teams. The women’s competition began the following year, with quad and junior events introduced in 1998 and 2000 respectively. Due to the increased number of teams wanting to take part, the ITF introduced regional qualifying for the men’s and women’s events in 2012.
GREAT BRITAIN (1) defeated FRANCE (2) 2-0
Alfie Hewett (GBR) d. Michael Jeremiasz (FRA) 75 61
Gordon Reid (GBR) d. Nicolas Peifer (FRA) 76(5) 64
Alfie Hewett/Gordon Reid (GBR) v Michael Jeremiasz/Nicolas Peifer (FRA) not played
Men’s World Group – Position 3-4
AUSTRALIA (3) defeated JAPAN (4) 2-0
Ben Weekes (AUS) d. Satoshi Saida (JPN) 62 63
Adam Kellerman (AUS) d. Takashi Sanada (JPN) 46 76(1) 63
Adam Kellerman/Ben Weeks (AUS) v Satoshi Saida/Takashi Sanada (JPN) not played
Men’s World Group – Promotion Play-off
USA defeated SOUTH AFRICA 2-1
Steve Baldwin (USA) d. Marshall Marsh (RSA) 61 76(2)
Evans Maripa (RSA) d. Jon Rydberg (USA) 63 26 60
Hunter Groce/Jon Rydberg (USA) d. Leon Els/Evans Maripa (RSA) 63 75
Please find below Saturday’s results from the 2015 BNP Paribas World Team Cup wheelchair tennis event at the Club Ali Bey Manavgat in Antalya, Turkey on 25-31 May. A total of 52 teams from 28 countries are competing in four categories: men, women, quad and junior.
USA won their ninth quad title after beating Japan in the quad’s world group, while Spain won the title in the men’s world group II by beating South Africa.
Tomorrow France and Great Britain will compete in the final for the men’s world group.
The BNP Paribas World Team Cup, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2015, is the ITF’s flagship wheelchair tennis event, often referred to as the Davis and Fed Cups of wheelchair tennis. The initial event took place in California in 1985 involving six men’s teams. The women’s competition began the following year, with quad and junior events introduced in 1998 and 2000 respectively. Due to the increased number of teams wanting to take part, the ITF introduced regional qualifying for the men’s and women’s events in 2012.
USA (1) defeated JAPAN 2-1
Shota Kawano (JPN) d. Nick Taylor (USA) 64 60
David Wagner (USA) d. Mitsuteru Moroishi (JPN) 60 61
Nick Taylor/David Wagner (USA) d. Shota Kawano/Mitsutery Moroishi (JPN) 62 64
Quad’s World Group – Position 3-4
ISRAEL defeated ITALY 3-0
Itay Erenlib (ISR) d. Marco Innocenti (ITA) 64 60
Shraga Weinberg (ISR) d. Alberto Corradi (ITA) 63 16 63
Itay Erenlib/Haim Lev (ISR) d. Alberto Corradi/Marco Innocenti (ITA) 61 62
Men’s World Group II – Final
SPAIN (3) defeated SOUTH AFRICA (2) 2-1
Martin de la Puente (ESP) d. Leon Els (RSA) 62 76(4)
Evans Maripa (RSA) d. Daniel Caverzaschi (ESP) 63 62
Daniel Caverzaschi/Roberto Chamizo (ESP) d. Evans Maripa/Marshall Marsh (RSA) 64 60
Men’s World Group II – Position 3-4
MALAYSIA (4) defeated THAILAND 2-0
Ariffahmi Zaquan (MAS) d. Wittaya Peem-Mee (THA) 75 26 76(8)
Abu Samah Borhan (MAS) d. Suthi Klongrhau (THA) 63 62
Ariffahmi Zaquan Ariffin/Abu Samah Borhan (MAS) v Suthi Klongrhau/Wittaya Peem-Mee (THA) not played
Men’s World Group – Position 5-6
SWEDEN defeated BELGIUM 2-1
Peter Vikstrom (SWE) d. Gert Vos (BEL) 63 60
Joachim Gerard (BEL) d. Stefan Olsson (SWE) 67(5) 75 61
Stefan Olsson/Peter Vikstrom (SWE) d. Joachim Gerard/Gert Vos (BEL) 62 26 [10-2]
Men’s World Group – Position 7-8
NETHERLANDS defeated AUSTRIA 3-0
Ricky Molier (NED) d. Josef Riegler (AUT) 63 62
Maikel Scheffers (NED) d. Martin Legner (AUT) 60 61
Ricky Molier/Maikel Scheffers (NED) d. Martin Legner/Josef Riegler (AUT) 64 61
Men’s World Group – Position 9-10
KOREA defeated ARGENTINA 2-1
Ho-Won Im (KOR) d. Gustavo Ibanez (ARG) 61 60
Gustavo Fernandez (ARG) d. Sang-Ho Oh (KOR) 61 61
Ho-Won Im/Ha-Gel Lee (KOR) d. Ezequiel Casco/Gustavo Fernandez (ARG) 63 62
Men’s World Group – Position 11-12
USA defeated POLAND 2-0
Steve Baldwin (USA) d. Piotr Jaroszewski (POL) 61 62
Jon Rydberg (USA) d. Kamil Fabisiak (POL) 63 63
Hunter Groce/Jon Rydberg (USA) v Kamil Fabisiak/Piotr Jaroszewski (POL) not played
Women’s World Group – Position 5-6
THAILAND defeated USA 2-1
Kaitlyn Verfuerth (USA) d. Wanitha Inthanin (THA) 63 60
Sakhon Khanthasit (THA) d. Emmy Kaiser (USA) 26 76(5) 62
WanithaInthanin/Sakhon Khanthasit (THA) d. Dana Mathewson/Kaitlyn Verfuerth (USA) 63 63
Women’s World Group – Position 7-8
FRANCE defeated SOUTH AFRICA 2-1
Mariska Venter (RSA) d. Emilie Chene (FRA) 26 75 62
Charlotte Famin (FRA) d. Kgothatso Montjane (RSA) 63 75
Charlotte Famin/Emmanuelle Morch (FRA) d. Thondalwethu Hlatshwayo/Mariska Venter (RSA) 62 61
Women’s World Group – Position 9-10
CHILE defeated AUSTRALIA 2-0
Macarena Cabrillana (CHI) d. Luba Josevski (AUS) 60 61
Francisca Mardones (CHI) d. Sarah Calati (AUS) 62 57 61
Macarena Cabrillana/Francisca Mardones (CHI) v Sarah Calati/Luba Josevski (AUS) not played
Women’s World Group – Position 11-12
COLOMBIA defeated TURKEY 2-1
Angelica Bernal (COL) d. Julide Yildiz (TUR) 60 60
Bursa Un (TUR) d. Johana Martinez Vega (COL) 57 75 63
Angelica Bernal/Johana Martinez (COL) d. Busra Un/Julide Yildiz (TUR) 62 63
The ITF has announced that the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group play-off tie between Israel and Argentina will be hosted by the Israel Tennis Association (ITA) at the Sunrise Tennis Club in Sunrise, Florida, USA on 12-14 September.
The neutral venue was proposed by the ITA, who retained choice of ground after the tie was unable to be staged in Israel. The venue has been approved by the Davis Cup Committee subject to a successful ITF site visit. The tie will be played on outdoor hard court.
A total of eight World Group play-off ties will be held on 12-14 September, alongside the two World Group semifinals between France and Czech Republic in Paris, and Switzerland and Italy in Geneva.
Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in sport, with 122 nations taking part in 2014.
The competition is 114 years old having been founded in 1900. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Davis Cup. International sponsors are Rolex (Official Timekeeper) Adecco (Official HR Sponsor) and NH Hotels (Official Hotel), while Wilson Sporting Goods (Official Ball) is an international partner.
The Draw for the 2014 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group play-offs was held today at the ITF’s headquarters in London. The World Group play-offs will take place on 12-14 September alongside the World Group semifinals.
The winning nations in the World Group play-offs will qualify for the 2015 World Group, while the losing nations will compete in their respective Zone Group I competitions in 2015.
Seeds for the draw were based on the latest ITF Davis Cup Nations Ranking of 7 April.
The draw is as follows:
2014 World Group play-offs (12-14 September)
India (c) v Serbia (s)
Brazil (c) v Spain (s)
Israel (c) v Argentina (s)
Canada (s) (c) v Colombia
USA (s) (c) v Slovak Republic
Australia (s) (c) v Uzbekistan
Netherlands (c) (*) v Croatia (s)
Ukraine (c) v Belgium (s)
(s) denotes seeded nation
(c) denotes choice of ground
(*) denotes choice of ground determined by lot
Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in sport, with 122 nations taking part in 2014. The competition is 114 years old having been founded in 1900. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Davis Cup. International sponsors are Rolex (Official Timekeeper) Adecco (Official HR Sponsor) and NH Hotels (Official Hotel), while Wilson Sporting Goods (Official Ball) is an international partner. Follow all the action on http://www.daviscup.com, http://www.copadavis.com, http://www.twitter.com/daviscup, http://www.facebook.com/DavisCupTennis and http://www.daviscup.tv.
The ITF has announced the seeds for the Draw for the 2014 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group play-offs. The Draw will take place on Tuesday 8 April at the ITF offices in London at 11:00 local time (10:00 GMT). The seeds are based on the new ITF Davis Cup Nations Ranking of 7 April: http://www.daviscup.com/en/rankings/current-rankings.aspx
The eight seeded nations in the World Group play-offs are:
Serbia (1)
Spain (2)
Argentina (3)
Canada (4)
USA (5)
Australia (6)
Croatia (7)
Belgium (8)
Each of the seeds will be drawn against one of the following unseeded nations:
Brazil
Colombia
India
Israel
Netherlands
Slovak Republic
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
The 2014 World Group play-offs will take place alongside the World Group semifinals on 12-14 September. The eight winning nations will contest the 2015 World Group.
The line-up for the World Group play-offs was confirmed when Brazil, Croatia, Colombia, India, Israel, Slovak Republic, Ukraine and Uzbekistan all won their Zone Group I second round ties on 4-6 April. They joined the losers from the 2014 World Group first round ties.
Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in sport, with 122 nations taking part in 2014. The competition is 114 years old having been founded in 1900. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Davis Cup. International sponsors are Rolex (Official Timekeeper) Adecco (Official HR Sponsor) and NH Hotels (Official Hotel), while Wilson Sporting Goods (Official Ball) is an international partner.
The Inspector General of Police Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar visited and trained with Nigeria Badminton players who were preparing for the 9th edition of the Uganda International Badminton tournament scheduled to take
place on 20th-23rd of February in Lugogo Indoor stadium, Uganda.
The IG who is a former national badminton player as well as an ex-board member of Nigeria Football Association, NFA, promised to continue to support the players so that they can gain enough points that will qualify them for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
“If we engage the youths especially through sports, we have done one great thing, which is taking them away from the streets and is a very good factor in creating better leaders of tomorrow”
Also on Sunday, Abuja badminton club donated a set of jersey and badminton equipment to the national team ahead of the Ugandan tournament. The chairman Abuja badminton club, Abubakar Isa said it is their way of supporting the Nigeria Badminton Federation, NBF.
“We are trying to promote badminton in Nigeria and we feel we should start with the national team.” Isa added.
President of NBF, Justice Danlami Senchi who was on hand to receive the donations, thanked the donors especially the IG for helping to promote badminton in Nigeria and assured that Nigeria will qualify for 2016 Olympics.
“We want to thank the IG as well as the Abuja badminton club for their support, we hope we’ll also get the support of the sports ministry. Our aim is to gain enough points that will help our players qualify for the Olympics.” Senchi concluded.
National badminton captain Olaoluwa Fagbemi said the team hopes to win at least four gold medals in Uganda.
Organisers say 16 teams have confirmed participation in the championship, that will see 64 players taking part in different categories. Uganda(host), Nigeria, Namibia, Libya, Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya and Mauritius while Austria, Malaysia, Slovakia, Israel, and Syrilanka are among the international countries to feature in competition.
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