Free State Cricket announced Cell C as the new service provider partner for the Free State Cricket Senior Provincial team at a function on Friday evening.
Cell C and Free State Cricket will jointly promote cricket and the VKB Knights and take the game experience to the next level in the 2018/2019 season.
“We are proud to announce that Cell C has joined Free State Cricket”, commented Marketing and Events Manager for Free State Cricket, Marina van der Walt. “We are very excited to join hands with a brand as popular as Cell C and we trust this relationship will grow going forward”, said Marina.

9Miles Project, a surfing outreach programme based in Strandfontein, Cape Town which empowers impoverished youth through surfing, received a donation of two custom surfboards thanks to Mitchum.
Founded in 2013, the 9Miles Project provides mentorship and support to 80 at-risk and impoverished youth in the coastal informal settlements of Strandfontein, Elands Bay and St. Francis Bay. This is achieved through surfing lessons, water safety training, supplementary academic support, life skills and leadership training, feeding and day-to-day mentorship and support.
Mitchum’s donation will greatly assist in helping more children in the project that offers a safe haven and refuge for youth who have very few positive role models in their lives. In addition to the custom-branded Mitchum Surfboards, event organisers and sport marketing agency, Accelerate Sport, were also on hand to donate a wide variety of colourful rashvests that were used by professional surfers who took part in the 2018 City Surf Series.

A partner of the Fedhealth IMPI Challenge since the event’s inception, both the Rawson Property Group and the Fedhealth IMPI Challenge will celebrate 10 awesome years of obstacle course racing in November!
“The Rawson Property Group is proud to admit that we have been an official obstacle sponsor of the Fedhealth IMPI Challenge since the event’s inception,” says Judy Pick, National Events Manager for the Rawson Property Group.  “As a company we are committed to wellness on multiple levels.  We believe that the IMPI Challenge is a great opportunity to get our colleagues, clients, family and friends involved in bettering themselves as a whole. We also use this event as a unique team building opportunity and encourage everyone to join in, whether to compete or to support from the side lines.”

Event sponsors will be seen enjoying a hands-on approach to the 3rd annual FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN on Monday, 24 September 2018 (National Heritage Day).
This year the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN’s 10km route from FNB Bank City (Johannesburg) to Mary Fitzgerald Square (Newtown) will highlight iconic landmarks, boast lively performances by a host of Joburg’s leading performing arts groups while featuring high energy vibe points activated by event sponsors:  FNB, PUMA, 947, Totalsports, City of Joburg, Flying Fish Chill Lite, Rialto, DHL, Thule, Budget, Spur, Big Box Containers, Coca-Cola and Mango.
“The FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN enables us to provide a unique experience that is a mixture of tourism, fun and endurance. It is a chance to see Joburg like one rarely gets to experience it, from seeing the City’s historic landmarks to its people and experiencing the lovely vibe that the city is renowned for. It is a pleasure for us at FNB to partner in this fantastic platform and we are inviting our customers, their friends and families as well as professional athletes to come out in their numbers,” says, Mike Vacy-Lyle, CEO of FNB Business.
Runners can look out for FNB supporters at three sponsor points on route.    

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed global executive recruitment company, Egon Zehnder has been appointed to conduct the search for a new Chief Executive following the confirmation that current Chief Executive David Richardson would step down next summer.
 
ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said: “This is a pivotal time for our game and we need to appoint a Chief Executive who can oversee the delivery of our new global strategy for cricket which is focused on the growth of the game in both traditional and non-traditional markets.
 
“The strategy is bold in its ambition and the ICC Board is committed to a search that takes us beyond cricket to identify a strong leader who can propel the sport forward into a period of significant and sustained global growth, particularly in new markets.

LAGOS (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - It took Nigeria over a decade to return to the FIBA Basketball World Cup, but now that they've secured their ticket to China 2019, fans, players, officials, and the local media have all erupted in joy. Despite learning of their qualificationthe day before when they trounced the Central African Republic 114-69, the Nigerians remained as relentless.
"Everybody is excited because nobody on this team has made it to the World Cup before," said Nigeria captain Ike Diogu of his country earning its spot in FIBA's flagship competition for the first time since the 2006 edition in Japan.

• Osaka voted WTA's Player of the Month
• Sharapova hits the WTA Shot of the Month presented by Cambridge Global Payments
• Sabalenka earns WTA Breakthrough of the Month

Naomi Osaka powered her way to her first Grand Slam title at the US Open to become the first Japanese player - man or woman - to win a major singles title. She also earned herself a Top 10 debut, at WTA World No.7, and was voted the WTA Player of the Month for August.

Playing against Daria Kasatkina at the Rogers Cup presented by National Bank (Montreal), Maria Sharapova hit the WTA Shot of the Month presented by Cambridge Global Payments with an impressive running forehand from outside the court.

Andre-Pierre Gignac and Guido Pizarro to lead Tigres into BMO Field Wednesday to take on Toronto FC’s Jozy Altidore, Sebastian Giovinco and co.

NEW YORK AND MEXICO CITY (September 17, 2018) – Toronto FC and Tigres UANL announced today its rosters for the inaugural Campeones Cup clash, to be played this Wednesday, September 19, at BMO Field in Toronto at 8:15 p.m. ET. The match will air on Univision, UDN and ESPN2 in the United States, and on TSN1 and TVA Sports 2 in Canada.
 
Tigres UANL will travel to Toronto on Tuesday with all their firing power. Led by captain Guido Pizarro and French striker Andre Pierre-Gignac, and supported by Mexican national team players Jorge Torres Nilo, and Jurgen Damm, the Mexican squad will be looking to set the record straight and finally defeat their Canadian rivals in a competitive match.
 
Toronto FC will field a team led by stalwarts Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco, whom were part of Toronto’s defeat of Tigres earlier this year in the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals.

he Porsche Race to Singapore Leaderboards are starting to take shape, as Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber have secured their spots while the doubles teams of Barbora Krejcikova/Katerina Siniakova and Kristina Mladenovic/Timea Babos have booked their places at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

As the WTA Tour begins the Asia swing this week at the Toray Pan Pacific Open (Tokyo), Guangzhou Open and the Korea Open, a total of 1,030 points are up for grabs in singles and doubles.

US Open champion Naomi Osaka, Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki and Miami Open champion Sloane Stephens are among the five Top 20 players competing this week in Tokyo, vying for a spot at the season finale.

The growth of rugby on the African continent has come as no surprise to many rugby followers across the continent due to the many programmes being undertaken by various unions.
Get Into Rugby (GIR) Zambia Project Manager Tom Chaloba said that Zambia was not to be left behind in the race to increase the number of girls/women participants in the game of rugby. "Since the introduction of the Get Into Rugby project in Zambia, we have made strides to increase the number of females involved both on and off the pitch. We have seen a significant rise in girls playing rugby at Schools, Community and Club levels and it is bearing fruit at National Team levels.

Recently crowned US Open champion Naomi Osaka has signed a three-year endorsement deal with Japanese carmaker Nissan.
The Japanese player will become Nissan’s latest brand ambassador, appearing in global promotions and advertising to help the company reach younger customers.
The 20-year-old’s marketability is expected to rocket on the back of her win over Serena Williams, and her deal with Nissan adds an endorsement portfolio which already includes Nissin, Wowow, Adidas, Yonex and Citizen.

Set to be piloted at the 2018 Karkloof 100-miler, KZN’s premier 100-mile ultra-marathon, taking place on the 21-23 September, the ‘One Run. One Life’ initiative will enable runners taking on the ultra-distance to make a positive impact on the life of primary school children at the same time.
By entering the 100-mile event, each participant will indirectly feed a child at Khipinkunzi Primary School in St Lucia (Dukuduku District), Northern KZN, for seven years – the duration of their primary school journey and the most important phase of growth and development in a young child’s life.
For every runner, that’s an average of 1820 meals for one child over the course of seven years. With over a hundred runners set to take part in the 100-miler, the projected reach of ‘One Run. One Life’ project is vast. 
The first of its kind in South Africa, the project hopes to kick-start a movement within the country’s running community, affording ordinary people the opportunity to make a difference just by doing what they love, running.

Stillwater Sports has welcomed DHL Express as the logistics partner of the FNB Run Your City Series.
“Welcoming DHL Express as a logistics partner is a major coup for the FNB Run Your City Series,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director Stillwater Sports.  “The FNB Run Your City Series boasts three mass road running events:    FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN (24 September 2018), FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN (14 October 2018) and FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN (May 2019) that takes place in the three major cities (Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town).  Each event highlights the beauty and splendour of its host city, encourages mass participation, boasts magnificent on route entertainment and attracts the attention of both local and international runners.  Hosting three events of such a magnitude in three major cities requires impeccable logistical knowhow.  A leader in its field, DHL Express is renowned for its expertise and professional approach to business.  Together with their support we look forward to building on the FNB Run Your City Series experience.”

© AFP / Getty Images
Kevin Mayer had already established himself as a combined events superstar, but the French all-rounder elevated his status to an all-time great by smashing the decathlon world record in Talence on Sunday (16).
Had it not been for his three fouls in the decathlon long jump at last month’s European Championships in Berlin, Mayer most likely wouldn’t have competed at the Decastar meeting. But in the aftermath of that setback, the 26-year-old gained redemption in the best possible way: by smashing the world record.
In fact, it was the second world record of the day, coming just seven hours after Eliud Kipchoge clocked a stunning 2:01:39 at the Berlin Marathon.

Photo Credit: SCC Events / Victah Sailer
Eliud Kipchoge astounded the running world by taking the huge chunk of one minute, 18 seconds off the world record at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. Germany’s most spectacular road race was the stage for the moon landing of marathon running on Sunday. But the Olympic champion still had enough energy in reserve to take to social media in the next few hours and express his appreciation of the part played by the various teams which make up the community around the greatest marathon runner of the modern era.
 
He expanded on the importance of this community while relaxing the next morning in an arm chair in the hotel lobby within easy jogging distance of the finish line where he took the marathon into new territory with his time of 2:01:39.
 
“In sport you need to have a good team. That’s why, in terms of where I’m going to run next, I’m going to have a full discussion with the management, with the sponsors, technical team, coaching team. It’s part of the team where they hold me in their hands.”
 
This was a point he made strongly in response to the last question posed at Sunday’s press conference where the assembled media were digesting the enormity of his achievement. Before any decision about his future racing, he would consult with this community.

Photo: Pablo Elías/Buenos Aires 2018
Buenos Aires, Septemeber 17. With 19 days to go until the start of Buenos Aires 2018, the Organising Committee has already received more than 500,000 requests for the Youth Olympic Pass, the electronic bracelet that will let fans participate in the biggest multisport and cultural celebration on the planet. On Monday, September 17, pass requests reached 516,311 among the general public and educational institutions. A total of 180,000 bracelets have already been picked up - the majority in the designated Samsung Stores.
The Pass, which is free, gives access to the four Youth Olympic Parks and the stand alone venues at the Games.
The bracelet contains a chip that will let spectators enjoy watching the best 4,000 young athletes on the planet perform in the competition stadiums. They will also be able to participate in a true cultural party: there will be more than 1,200 activities for the public to enjoy in the Parks.

© Philippe Fitte
The IAAF has today reached a substantial milestone in its campaign to raise awareness of the effects of air pollution, with the installation of its first stadium air quality monitor in Monaco.
As part of a pilot programme designed to highlight the need for clean air, the first device was set up at Stade Louis II in Monaco today, in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II, President of the Monaco Athletics Federation and Chair of the IOC Environment Commission, and Sebastian Coe, President of the International Association of Athletics Federations.
"As chairman of the Monaco Athletics Federation I am proud that the Stade Louis II has been part of the IAAF Air Quality Device project which targets to improve the quality of environment and conditions of performances for the athletes, through data that has never been provided before," HSH Prince Albert II said.

© Getty Images
Not since the days of the first sub-four-minute mile has one barrier attracted so much focus in the world of athletics, but talk of the first sub-two-hour marathon has reignited after Eliud Kipchoge’s 2:01:39 run at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday (16).
The 33-year-old Kenyan ran alone for the final 17 kilometres of the race in the German capital but his pace increased as the race went on. After covering the first half in 1:01:06, Kipchoge ran 1:00:33 for the final 13.1 miles to take one minute and 18 seconds off the marathon world record set by Dennis Kimetto in 2014.

BUCHAREST (FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup 2018) - Serbia's men and France's women won the fourth edition of the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup in Bucharest, Romania on September 14-16.

Serbia won their first-ever FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup after defeating Latvia in the final in an absolute nail-biter (19-18). This marks the end of the Serbian curse as the 4-time World Champions had yet to win their first European crown.

Dusan Bulut added another MVP award to his trophy cabinet after leading Serbia to the title in the iconic location of the Bucharest Metropolitan Circus. The number one 3x3 player in the world scored 13 of his team's 19 points in the final. 
He was joined on the team of the tournament by Karlis Lasmanis (Latvia) and Simon Finzgar, who led Slovenia to the bronze medal.

The GNPC Ghana Fastest Human 2018 Finals came off at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium over the weekend with race fans stealing the show, as they cheered the sprinters and sang songs of inspiration to motivate themselves and the athletes.
For once, the fans came in their numbers and made the event fantastic, despite no athlete performing exceptionally well.
However it was young Idriss Musah of Mesec who run a good time of 10.20 secs in the finals of the boys U18.
Reks Brobby, founder of the concept to discover Ghana’s Fastert Human said he was impressed with the whole organization and performance of the younger boys and girls.
Here are the full results:

© AFP / Getty Images
World champion Kevin Mayer broke the decathlon world record* at the Decastar meeting in Talence on Sunday (16), scoring 9126 at the final IAAF Combined Events Challenge fixture of 2018.
Coming just seven hours after Eliud Kipchoge clocked 2:01:39 at the Berlin Marathon, Mayer’s performance was the second world record of the day.
The world indoor champion headed to Talence in pursuit of redemption, having crashed out of last month’s European Championships when recording three fouls in the long jump, the second discipline of the decathlon.

Dr. Daniel Mckorley has done it again. He promised and paid for the round trip for three U12 boys and coach Noah to participate in the 2018 African Junior Championship in Morocco. 
Mr. Isaac Duah, president of the Tennis Federation said Ghana tennis is very grateful to the Mcdan Group of companies.

Winners of the penultimate Big Millennium Marathon Raffle Draw held at the Accra Polo grounds on Satueday expressed their happiness for winning and being shown in the media.
Brandsmania Ltd sponsored the draw which was conducted by the NLA in an open and transparent setting during the cuisine fair, as part of activities preceding the main marathon event.
The proud winners were Bukari Mortka from the Upper East, Desmond Selasie Festus and Banny Ojoro, a foreign student from Nigeria. 
They expressed joy over their awards and hoped that the Millennium Marathon would be a success.

Photo Credit: SCC Events / Victah Sailer
​Eliud Kipchoge crowned the 45th edition of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON with a fantastic world record in 2:01:39. The 33-year-old Kenyan led from the start, following his own schedule and was never challenged for the lead. When he crossed the finish line he had obliterated the world record of 2:02:57, set by his compatriot Dennis Kimetto four years ago in Berlin, taking the huge margin of one minute, 18 seconds off that time. It is the biggest advance in the men’s marathon world record for over 50 years since the Australian Derek Clayton ran 2:09:36 in Fukuoka in 1967, slicing two-and-a-half minutes from the record. It is also the eleventh world record in the history of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
 
The Kenyan Amos Kipruto took advantage of good weather conditions to give himself a 26th birthday present, finishing second with 2:06:23. Wilson Kipsang of Kenya finished third in 2:06:48 while Shogo Nakamura of Japan took fourth in 2:08:16.
 
History was also made in the women’s race as Gladys Cherono overturned pre-race expectations by breaking the course record to run 2:18:11, a personal best and the fastest women’s time in the world this year. Cherono won her third BMW BERLIN-MARATHON title and went to number four on the women’s all-time list. For the first time in marathon history three women broke 2:19 in one race as Ruti Aga finished second in 2:18:34 and her fellow Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba took third in 2:18:55, despite having been expected to lead the challenge for a super-fast women’s time.

In a stunning display of distance running, Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge broke the world record* at the BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday (16), winning the IAAF Gold Label road race in 2:01:39.
From the early stages of the race, the 33-year-old Kenyan had just a handful of pacemakers for company as they passed through five kilometres in 14:24 and 10 kilometres in 29:21. But shortly after 15 kilometres, which was reached in 43:38, two of the three pacemakers were unable to continue and withdrew from the race.
The final pacemaker, Josphat Boit, led Kipchoge through the half-way point in 1:01:06 before dropping out at 25 kilometres, covered in 1:12:24.
Running alone with 17 kilometres left, Kipchoge then sped up.