Gov’s Cup Lagos Tennis: Nigeria’s Paul upsets Mugabe, to battle S/A star in Quarterfinal

Nigeria’s Christian Paul battled his way to the quarter final of the 15th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship on Wednesday as he upsets Duncan Mugabe of Uganda in a second round match at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Paul, who is ranked number 2130 in the world shocked Mugabe, the 2014 finalist, who is ranked 1186 in straight set of 6-4, 6-4.

Paul was instrumental to Team Tombim’s winning of the NCC Team Tennis Cup at the same venue on Saturday, and his reward for the win over Mugabe, is a quarterfinal showdown with Llyod Harris of South Africa on Thursday. Harris, the number 3 seed, defeated David Pel of The Netherlands 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in their second round clash.

“I’m very happy to have played and defeated Mugabe, who is higher ranked than me. This has boosted my confidence that if I put in more effort I can make it in the competition this year,” said Paul, who played qualifying matches before making it to the Main Draws of the first leg (Futures 3) of the ongoing International Tennis Federation (ITF) sanctioned tournament.

“I have come to realise that Nigerian players have the potential to make it big at the Governor’s Cup but we are faced with the problem of not playing circuits around the world to gain exposure and experience. I want to beg Nigerians to come to our aid by sponsoring some of us to play tournaments around the world,” he said.

Other Nigerians who played their second round matches Wednesday were not as lucky as Sylvester Emmanuel fell 6-2, 6-2 to number 2 seed Pere Riba of Spain. while top seed, Aidin Setkic of Bosnia crushed Albert Bikom in 6-1,6-0.

The Nigerian ladies also found the going tough as Ronke Akingbade and Osariemen Airhunmwunde were comprehensively beaten by number 6 seed, Ulrikke Eikeri from Norway and Frenchwoman Tessah Andrianjaftrimo 6-0, 6-0, and 6-1, 6-0 respectively.

Men singles final 2014
photo credit; governorscuplagostennis.com

Other matches on Thursday will see, Setkic slug it out against Alexis Klegou of Benin Republic just as Riba will play against Cortes Alcaraz Aaron.

In the women’s games, number 1 seed, France’s Sherazad Reix will battle Eikeri, Terziyska Julia will play against Andrianjaftrimo of France, Indianrarthana Thombare will keep a date with Conny Perrin of Switzerland as Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia will confront Ukraine’s Valeriya Strakhova.

GOtv Boxing Night: Uganda’s Kakembo Vows To Beat Skoro On Home Soil

Ugandan boxer, Edward Kakembo, has vowed to leave Nigeria with the African Boxing Union Featherweight title later this month. Kakembo is billed to take on Nigeria’s Waidi “Skoro” Usman, National and West African Boxing Union Featherweight champion, in the headline bout at the GOtv Boxing Night on 26 December in Lagos.

The event, slated to hold at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos, is viewed by Kakembo as an opportunity to prove the mettle of Ugandan boxing to the world.

Waidi -Skoro- Usman

“Uganda has many top boxers and I will prove it by putting Skoro where he belongs: On the canvass. Skoro is not an obstacle. I am the champion in waiting. It does not matter that the fight is taking place in Nigeria. Even in Skoro’s room, I will beat him. Let him know,” boasted the Ugandan, who has a fight record of nine wins in as many fights.

Other fights billed for the GOtv Boxing Night are two national title bouts and a national challenge contest. Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, the rising star of Nigerian boxing, will take a shot at the National Light Welterweight crown when he takes on Sadiq Ahmed in a 12-rounder.

In the Welterweight division, Stanley “Edo Boy” Eribo will fight Sunday “Capo” Olalekan for the title. The national challenge Super Middleweight bout will be between Sunday “Golden Child” Ajuwa and Rasheed “Afonja Warrior” Abolaji.

Uganda’s Edward Kakembo

All the boxers are currently in training and are eyeing the cash prize of N1.5million and the Mojisola Ogunsanya Trophy for the best boxer at the event.

Aimed at rescuing boxing from decline, GOtv Boxing Night, which debuted last March, is sponsored by GOtv and supported by MultiChoice and SuperSport. The tournament will be broadcast live by SuperSport in 47 African countries.

Cameroon To Organise 2016 Women’s African Olympic Qualifiers

Cameroon was selected by African Volleyball Confederation “CAVB” as a host for the prestigious Women’s African Olympic Qualifiers in the Capital Yaoundé February 12 to 19, 2016 with a record of 17 participating National federations.

The champions of this qualifier will represent Africa in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The qualifiers attracted 17 countries which are Algeria, Tunisia, Gambia, Cape Verde, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Ghana, Congo RDC, Cameroon, Gabon, Kenya, Egypt, Uganda, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Madagascar.

CAVB put November 20, 2015 as a deadline to send the list of players to participate in the competition.

Algeria claimed the African Qualification tickets in the last 2 Olympics in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

Kenya celebrating

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2016 Olympics Qualifiers Is Not Mission Impossible- Edward Pam Fom

The president of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation, Sir Edward Pam Fom has assured Nigerians that the senior men’s national team will not disappoint Nigerians in South Africa as they seek their 1st ever Olympic ticket.

Fom told journalists that it will not be business as usual when the Black Stallions file out to represent Nigeria as he called for understanding.

According to him “This is a developing nation in rugby, this is a developing national team. At our very worst we are good and at our best, we can be dynamic”

“Nigerians should be patient with us, we hope to always churn out good results as we have always done”

Speaking before their departure for Johannesburg today for a 5 day training exercise before the competition slated for the 14th and 15th of November, the NRFF president thanked the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Dr Alhassan Yakmut for giving the federation an audience to discuss their plans and programs after which he promised to be fully supportive at every point in time.

Nigerian Rugby team the Black Stallions,

He also thanked CMB Building Maintenance & Inv Co. Ltd for their unflinching supports in ensuring the availability of funds for the federation, which has in no small way helped them in preparing the team for international engagements.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to keep supporting, believing and praying for the team as they compete against Zambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe in group B in their quest to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Nigeria’s Black Stallions Of To South Africa For Olympic Qualifiers

The Nigeria Rugby Senior National team also known as the Black Stallions will depart tomorrow, Sunday, 8th of November for Johannesburg, South Africa for the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifiers.

7 home based players and 4 officials will depart Lagos from the Murtala Muhammed aboard a Kenyan Airways flight by 12:40pm Sunday 2015. ‎

The delegation will be led by President of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation, Edward Pam Fom alongside the Vice President, Fasimoye Olatunji, Bandele Coker (Technical Adviser) and Bukola Bojuwoye (Team Doctor) as part of the delegation.

Meanwhile, Head coach, Fabian Juries and all invited foreign players will join the team on the 9th for the 5 days training ahead of the qualifiers on 14th & 15th of November 2015.

Speaking after their last training session on Saturday, the Technical Director of the Federation, Tunji Fasimoye revealed his optimism that the team will do well and might probably surprise the World.

He thanked CMB Building Maintenance & Inv Co. Ltd for their unflinching support in making sure that funds were provided for the federation to facilitate their trip.

In his words, Fasimoye said, “Special kudos must go to Kelechi Mbagwu, Chairman, CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited for his support.”

“We went to Zambia for the Cup 1C and Togo for the pre-Olympics qualifiers earlier this year with little or no support from the National Sports Commission, CMB came to our rescue and provided the necessary financial backing to make it possible”.

“Months after our trip to Togo, here we are about to travel to South Africa, nothing from the NSC once again. If not for CMB, this trip would not have been possible”

Nigeria has been drawn in Pool B, alongside Zimbabwe, Uganda and Zambia. Zimbabwe are favorites to advance from Pool B.

Black Stallions,

Full list

Christian OGAR (Cowrie RFC, Prop/Hooker)

Ikechukwu ONWUKANJO (USA Northeast Olympic Academy, Wing/Prop)

Nuhu Ibrahim SAMAILA (Barewa RFC, Scrum half/ Playmaker)

Danjuma MSHELIA (Richmond RFC, UK, Wing)

Alfred OCHE (Jos RFC, Fly half)

Omotohunola ODULAJA (Old Blues RFC, Scrum Half/ Playmaker)

Azeez LADIPO (Cowrie RFC, Fly half/ Playmaker)

Ayomide Joseph MOGAJI (Dorking RFC, Prop/ Wing)

Onoru Oyiza JATTO (Cowrie RFC, Wing)

Samuel EKPO (Cowrie RFC, Prop)

Onyinyeukwu ONWUKANJO (Davenport University Rugby, Prop/Hooker)

Hafis AYINLA (Cowrie RFC, Prop)

ThankGod OKAFOR (Sharks RFC, South Africa, Prop/ Centre)

Standby Player
Emmanuel AKINLUYI (Samurai Midwives, HFW Wailers, Prop/Centre)

Aspiring teams gear up for ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier

Tournament to be held from 15 to 22 October in Malaysia

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the squads and schedule for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier which will take place from 15 to 22 October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The five teams competing in the event are regional runners-up Ireland (Europe), Nepal (Asia), Papua New Guinea (East-Asia Pacific), Uganda (Africa) and USA (Americas) and they will be bidding to win the tournament and book the final remaining place in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup which takes place from 22 January to 14 February 2016.

Uganda Head Coach Henry Okecho believes that it is important to start well as the side bids to qualify for its third U19 Cricket World Cup, having previously qualified for the 2004 (Bangladesh) and 2006 (Sri Lanka) tournaments.

Jagat Tamata Coach of Nepal, whose side faces Papua New Guinea in the opening round in Kinrara Oval on Friday, said: “We feel now the Nepalese team is mentally strong as well as physically fit and over the last two months our team has been very hard working in preparation.

Dipak Patel, the former New Zealand international and current Head Coach of Papua New Guinea hopes that his side can book its passage to India. “The PNG Garramuts are looking forward to the challenge in Kuala Lumpur. They have worked very hard in PNG with very limited resources and game-time.

One of the many players keen to make a positive mark and help his nation qualify for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is Ireland captain Jack Tector who is hopeful of a successful tournament in what he admits will be challenging conditions. “As a group we are massively excited for the tournament. It gives us the opportunity to improve even further on the good things we did in Jersey.

Tournament Schedule:

15 October – Nepal v Papua New Guinea (Kinrara Oval), Uganda v USA (Royal Selengor Club)
16 October – Papua New Guinea v Ireland (Kinrara Oval), Nepal v Uganda (Royal Selengor Club)
17 October – Reserve/Rest Day
18 October – Papua New Guinea v Uganda (Kinrara Oval), USA v Ireland (Royal Selengor Club)
19 October – Nepal v USA (Kinrara Oval), Uganda v Ireland (Royal Selengor Club)
20 October – Reserve/Rest Day
21 October – Nepal v Ireland (Kinrara Oval), Papua New Guinea v USA (Royal Selengor Club)
22 October – Final (Kinrara Oval), 3rd & 4th Place Play-Off (Royal Selengor Club)

Match Officials: Graeme La Brooy (Match Referee), Tabarak Dar, Vinay Kumar Jha, Sarika Prasad (Mentor Umpire), Ahmad Shah Pakteen, Ian Thomson, Kalidas Viswanadan

Squads

IRELAND: Jack Tector (captain), Rory Anders, Andrew Austin, Varun Chopra, Sonny Cott, Adam Dennison, Aaron Gillespie, Joshua Little, Gary McClintock, William McClintock, James Mitchell, Tom Stanton, Lorcan Tucker, Benjamin White

NEPAL: Raju Rijal (captain), Kushal Bhurtel, Sunil Dhamala, Sushil Kandel, Yogendra Singh Karki, Saurabh Khanal, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Shankar Rana, MD Arif Sheikh, Dipesh Shrestha, Rajbir Singh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Sunar, Prem Tamang

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Sinaka Harry Arua, Ovia Boge, Jack Dairi, Arua Gau, Doura Iruna Gavera, Harry Christopher Gavera, Lohia Guba, Vagi Guba, Vagi Miria John, Vagi Karoho, Vagi Boko Kora, Sere Sam, Lou Vagi Toua, Nou Mavara Ako Toua

UGANDA: Derrick Bakunzi (captain), Brian Adriko, Frank Akankwasa, Zephania Arinaitwe, Trevor Bukenya, Joseph Byaruhanga, John Gabula, Abdalah Lubega, Simon Okecho, Collines Okwalinga, Ashiraf Senkubuge, David Wabwire, Steven Wabwose, Kenneth Waiswa

USA: Alexander Shoff (captain), Mohak Buch, Srihari Dasarathy, Kushal Ganji, Tohidul Islam, Vivek Narayan, Gaurav Patanker, Arjun Patel, Sagar Patel, Sahil Patel, Keifer Phill, Anup Rao, Gauranshu Sharma, Anirudh Srinivas

RUGBY AFRICA ANNOUNCES POOLS FOR OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

Rugby Africa has confirmed the pools for The Olympic qualifiers which will be staged in Johannesburg, South Africa from the 13th – 14th November, 2015. The Africa Cup Sevens is a qualifying tournament for The Rio Olympic Games in 2016.

Nigeria has been drawn in Pool B, alongside Zimbabwe, Uganda and Zambia. Zimbabwe are favorites to advance from Pool B.

Nigerian Rugby team the Black Stallions,

Reacting after the draws, coach of the Nigerian Rugby team also know as Black Stallions, Fabian Juries said “The draw here offers some really exciting match-ups right from the group stage and there’s lots of potential for upsets as well which means no team can take anything for granted”.

Africa Rugby Sevens Pool Announced

Africa Rugby Sevens pools:

Despite Zimbabwe being tipped by bookmakers as group B favorites, the South African Rugby legend believes the Zambia team are no pushovers However, he has warned opposing teams that any attempt to underrate Nigeria may prove costly.

Meanwhile in group A, Kenya who is a strong force in africa rugby will tackle Madagascar, Senegal and Mauritius.

In group C, northern african brothers, Tunisia and Morrocco have been pitted together with Namibia and Bostwana.

African Dream Project To Another Stage In Uganda

African Dream Project proceeded into another stage in Uganda as the stage of technical training for the kids started in the development centers started under supervision of Uganda Volleyball Federation President Sadik Nasiwu who attended the festival.

The National Federation Project team led by Mr. Edgar Karungi will embark on supervising the implementing the project in upcountry centers. Sadik Nasiwu President of Uganda Volleyball Federation was the guest of honour during the clinic where he also took part in training the kids some basic skills like setting.

African Dream Project to another stage in Uganda

The Clinic had a great atmosphere as the participants and spectators had learnt some basic volleyball skills with included lead up games, the kids also played some 2 vs 2 and 4 Vs 4 matches.

The African Dream Project is a follow up project on Uganda Volleyball Federation’s previous efforts in the Youth 1000 project that also targeted young players.

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African Dream Project Launches In Uganda With 350 Kids

The Ugandan Volleyball Federation, in cooperation with the FIVB and CAVB, organized a Volleyball Clinic at Entebbe St James Primary School one of the 5 Centers Uganda which is implementing the African Dream Project.

A total of 350 players, 8 to 10 and 11-14 years old, took part in the two day training; about 400 people including players, coaches, teachers, and parents were involved in the event, which also provided some time for the National Federation to identify more strategies for implementing the project.

The National Federation Project team led by Mr. Edgar Karungi will embark on supervising the implementing the project in upcountry centers. Sadik Nasiwu President of Uganda Volleyball Federation was the guest of honour during the clinic where he also took part in training the kids some basic skills like setting.

“Our major plan is to have these talents at an early age master the basics of the sport and we follow them up to high school,” said Karungi who led a team of coaches to St. James Primary School Nkumba Mpala for the training clinic.

“Yes we may have strong tall players, but there is no way we shall compete at international level when our boys don’t know the basics of volleyball at early age,” He added.

He explained the first beneficiary schools were identified because of their volleyball background and continued involvement in sports. “We looked at the active schools in Volleyball and we chose those that we felt could be assisted to improve on their performance,” Karungi added.

The Clinic had a great atmosphere as the participants and spectators had learnt some basic volleyball skills with included lead up games, the kids also played some 2 vs 2 and 4 Vs 4 matches.

The African Dream Project is a follow up project on Uganda Volleyball Federation’s previous efforts in the Youth 1000 project that also targeted young players.

The African Dream clinic

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Rwanda Women Claim Gold At Zone 5 All Africa Games Beach Volleyball Qualifier

2015 All Africa Games- Beach VB Women zone 5

Rwanda Beach VB women team followed the footsteps of their men’s counterparts after they narrowly won Zone 5 qualifiers for 2015 All Africa Games “AAG” held in Mombasa, Kenya May 7 to 8, 2015.

The Rwandan team secured a ticket to the finals of Beach VB tournament at All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville along with Kenya, Egypt and Uganda.

After a tough round robin tournament between the 5 participating teams, Rwanda, Kenya and Egypt were level with 7 points from 3-1 win- loss ratio, According to the regulations Rwanda dominated with a point ration of 1.45 followed by Kenya 1.35 and then Egypt 1.22, but the three teams qualified with the 4th ranked Uganda with 5 points from 1-3 record and then Tanzania finished at the bottom of the table with 4 points

With the conclusion of zone 5, Rwanda, Kenya, Egypt and Uganda will join the already qualified Algeria, Tunisia (Zone 1), Senegal Guinea, Gambia, Sierra Leone (Zone 2), Nigeria, Niger, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire (Zone 3) RD Congo, Congo Brazzaville and Gabon (Zone 4) to the finals of AAG in Congo Brazzaville.

The finals of All Africa Games will feature the top 24 teams in Africa where the top 2 in Zones 1 and 7 and the top 4 from the other zones (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) capture their tickets to the second ever beach volleyball competition at the peak sports event in Africa.

Rwanda ladies won the gold medal of Zone 5 in Mombasa

Results
Match No. 1 TAN vs. EGY – 0:2 (14:21, 09:21)
Match No. 2. UGA vs. KEN – 0:2 (9:21, 08:21)
Match No. 3 RWA vs. TAN – 2:0 (21:07, 21:12)
Match No. 4 EGY vs. UGA – 2:0 (21:10, 21:13)
Match No. 5 KEN vs. RWA – 2:0 (21:17, 21:14)
Match No. 6 UGA vs. TAN – 2:0 (21:17, 21:14)
Match No. 7 EGY vs. RWA – 0:2 (15:21, 19:21)
Match No. 8 TAN vs. KEN – 1:2 (11:21, 21:19, 07:15)
Match No. 9 RWA vs. UGA – 2:0 (21:04, 21:09)
Match No. 10 KEN vs. EGY – 1:2 (21:23, 21:17, 11:15)

Table of Pool Points/Ranking
Women TAN EGY UGA KEN RWA
TAN VS EGY 1 2
UGA VS KEN 1 2
RWA VS TAN 1 2
EGY VS UGA 2 1
KEN VS RWA 2 1
UGA VS TAN 1 2
EGY VS RWA 1 2
TAN VS KEN 1 2
RWA VS UGA 1 2
KEN VS EGY 2 1
Total Points Per NF 4 7 5 7 7

According to CAVB Regulations, in case of Tie between more than then two countries, the Pool Ranking is decided based on the rally points ratio, accordingly the following ratio was calculated for the Women’s Event.
RWA 157/108 = 1.45
KEN 192/142 = 1.35
EGY 154/160 = 1.22

Final Ranking

Rwanda
Kenya
Egypt
Uganda
Tanzania

Rwanda Volleyball Team Set For Men’s African Nations Championship

After the spectacular of All Africa Games Qualifiers, Rwanda Men’s Volleyball national team head coach Paul Bitok wants a similar performance in upcoming 2015 Men’s African Nations Championship, which is staged Cairo, Egypt in July 20 to 31.

Rwanda will be meeting with African giants like holders Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Cameroon and Morocco but Bitok believes that the participation will help the players to gain the confidence.

Rwanda dominated the Easter Africa countries in All Africa Games qualifications after beating Uganda, 3-2 Burundi, 3-0 and Kenya 3-2 to earn the lone ticket of this group.

The last time Rwanda competed in 2007 where finished on eighth position which was held in South Africa under Frenchman Gerard and the best position back in 2005 under Major Patrick Rugambwa and Emmanuel ‘Casius’ Ndungutse, where Rwanda finished on fifth position.

The National team has not participated for the event in last seven years because they were no plan for the each year of the national team.

Bitok wants the team to start the preparation of the men championships early June as the way of preparing the All African Games, which will be staged in Congo Brazzaville from 4-19 September.

Rwanda Men’s team will participate in the Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championship in Egypt

The president of Rwanda Volleyball Federation Gustave Nkurunziza said that “We have talked to our sponsor, ministry of sports on how we can compete in this event is and normally we have to send the team because we need to see our level against top teams in Africa”

“We want to compete in this tournament because we want to give more experience to our young players, we will use it as the preparations of All Africa Games,” he added.

The 2015 Men’s African Nations Championship will act as a qualifier for the 2015 FIVB Men’s World Cup which will be staged in Japan 8 – 23 September.

The 8 titles record holders Tunisia will be competing with their arch rival seven time champions Egypt who won the last five editions. Among other strong teams are 2 time champions Cameroon and Algeria beside the emerging Rwanda.

Meanwhile Kenya will host the Women’s African National Championships from 10 to 21, June. Rwanda will not compete in this tournament as the Volleyball Federation will first organize two months camp for the women from August to September after that the team will start to compete in continental events.

The competition will also act as the qualifier for the 2015 FIVB Women’s World Cup to be hosted in Japan August 22 to September 6, 2015.

Seven time champions Kenya is the defending champions as they won the last title in their homelands in 2013.

Peter Kamasa

African Visit Continues Commonwealth-Wide Consultation On Transformation 2022

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Chief Executive David Grevemberg today (25 April 2015) visited the IOC’s Sport for Hope Centre in Lusaka, Zambia to meet with 18 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) from African nations as part of a Commonwealth-wide consultation with the CGF membership on Transformation 2022, the Commonwealth Sports Movement’s ambitious agenda for growth and innovation.

In the Zambian capital, co-hosted by Mrs Miriam Moyo, CGF Regional Vice President and NOCZ President and Mr Gideon Sam, CGF Vice President and SASCOC President, David Grevemberg praised the work of African members in their important contributions to Sport, Development and Peace and discussed the opportunities and ambitions of the CGF’s new seven-year strategic plan.

David Grevemberg, Chief Executive Glasgow 2014 Ltd at a media briefing on the Commonwealth Games in London, 7 April 2014.
photo credit: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
https://www.flickr.com/photos/foreignoffice/13691959664/in/photolist-nvTtUi-neoJNn-nvTsze-nvBWj1-nvBWkU-nvAvM6-nvTswD-ntQJry-nxEkS8-ntQK33-neoX8J-nvTtHB-nvTucH-mRUSA5-mRTgo2-mRUSws-mRTgAM-qpHnvZ-psXBSV-f1eX17-eZZJhz

Speaking from Lusaka, David Grevemberg said:

“Transformation 2022 aims to place athletes, and the transformational impact of their achievements and performances on citizens and communities, at the heart of the Federation’s vision. And there is no better place to have such powerful discussions than in the incredible sporting continent of Africa.

This is a defining moment for our African colleagues, as they unite to support the ambitions of Durban and South Africa in their bid to host an inclusive and inspiring Commonwealth Games in 2022. It is also a defining moment for the Commonwealth Sports Movement, as we plan ambitiously for the future and develop and deliver Transformation 2022 in partnership with our members.”

Welcoming the delegation, Zambia’s Honourable Minister of Youth and Sport, Hon Vincent Mwale MP, said:

“African Commonwealth Games Associations have a vital role to play in achieving the Commonwealth Games Federation’s Strategic plan for 2022. The CGF provides a unique arrangement bringing diverse nations together for a common cause-sport.

The Commonwealth Movement embraces unity and humanity, impacting citizens and communities across our region and this is critical to foster mutual collaboration and prosperity through sport.”

The delegation comprised members from Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia.

The delegation also enjoyed a tour of the IOC’s Sport for Hope Centre and Olympic Youth Development Centre as part of the visit, which opened in 2010 to promote and facilitate access to sports for young athletes, local communities and support National Sport Federations.

CGF Regional Vice President for Africa, Miriam Moyo, who coordinated and hosted the meeting of African CGAs said:

“The Executive Board endorsed the new CGF vision and plans at our recent meeting in London. However, for Transformation 2022 to be the success we all want it to be, the on-going development and shared ambitions of the wider Commonwealth family are so important. We are therefore delighted that our members have had the opportunity to play an important part in the on-going consultations and discuss the plan’s opportunities and impacts ahead of our General Assembly in September.”

The regional meeting of African CGAs follows a successful meeting on 11 and 12 April of the European CGAs at Celtic Manor in Wales hosted by CGF Regional Vice President and Commonwealth Games Wales Chief Executive Chris Jenkins.

David Grevemberg visited Zambia en route to Durban, South Africa where he will participate in the Evaluation Commission for the 2022 Commonwealth Games bid, starting April 27, 2015.