News - AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY

President Koroma calls for new congress date

2/28/2017

President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma on Monday February 27th urged the Sports Ministry and the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Executives to urgently fix a new date for the association’s extraordinary congress.

The President urgent call came exactly three days after the Minister of Sports Ahmed Khanou in a joint press conference with the SLFA confirmed the rescheduling of the said congress which was slated for 25th February to March 5th, 2017.

Sierra Leone Players Abroad … Koroma upsets with back-to-back defeat

2/28/2017

Ishmael Koroma been booked by the referee Photo: Dan W Boter

Sierra Leone defender Ishmael ‘Jorjor’ Koroma was left dissatisfied with his Nyköpings BIS side back-to-back losses that ended their hopes of reaching the next round of the Swedish Svenska Cupen (Swedish Cup).

Koroma who played full-time in Saturday’s 5-1 loss to Östersund thinks the result does not reflect their performance despite playing with only 10-man almost throughout the match. The former Old Edwardian central defender was also booked in the 18th minute.

Why we won't stop talking about FIBA AfroBasket 2017 six months before it tips off

2/28/2017

Tunis hosted the FIBA AfroBasket 2015

SHEFFIELD (Julio Chitunda's African Message) - As national teams begin preparations for the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 qualifiers, I'll look at some of the most frequently asked questions about the continent’s flagship basketball tournament.

There is so much at stake at this year's FIBA AfroBasket that it becomes almost impossible to stop talking about it even though it will only take place in August (19-30) in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Pacific pair bound for India after historic fortnight

2/28/2017

It was a familiar name at the summit come the conclusion of the OFC U-17 Championship as New Zealand won their sixth successive crown. However, the two-week tournament will long be remembered for the history-making achievement of New Caledonia, with the Melanesian nation also winning through to the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017. It will be the first World Cup appearance for New Caledonia, and comes just 13 years after their induction as a FIFA Member Association.

Social Cohesion Games launched

2/28/2017

Gauteng premier David Makhura has announced the launch of a soccer tournament, which has been named the Social Cohesion Games.

The tournament will involve 768 players from different African countries and 64 teams. The finals will be played on 5th March 2017 and various soccer players from parts of Africa will be involved in the games. These players will include; William Okpara, Roger Fetumba, Kalusha Bywala, Timothy Bathabire, Innocent Chikoya, and Patrick Maverick.

SLTA seeks more funding for National Tennis Centre

2/28/2017

Ongoing construction at the National Tennis Centre site

The Sierra Leone Tennis Association (SLTA) are still seeking more funding for the construction of a National Tennis Centre at the Hill Station Tennis Courts site.

Construction and work are already ongoing at the site after the International Tennis Federation (ITF) approved through the Grand Slam Development Fund Committee a sum of US$20,000.00 with part of the said amount already received by the Association.

Ten-man Senegal deny Sudan maiden win

2/28/2017

Striker Ibrahima Niane scored at the death as Senegal held Sudan to a 1-1 draw in their Group B opener on Monday in Ndola, denying the Sudanese their first ever win in the history of the championship.

The Junior Desert Hawks were few minutes away from recording their first ever victory at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after Hassan Mutwakil had given them the lead from the spot midway in the first half; only for Niane to strike late to save ‘Les Lionceaux’ from the jaws of defeat.

Women’s Referees take step toward France

2/28/2017

© FIFA.com
The Algarve region of Portugal hosted a FIFA refereeing seminar last week in preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™. Just as the players are progressing on their journey to the sport’s showpiece event, 41 FIFA Elite Women’s referees from 35 different countries took the next important step in their preparation.

Zimbabwean karateka crowned world champion again

2/28/2017

Top Zimbabwean karateka Saiko Sensei Samson Muripo was on Saturday crowned world champion at the 3rd International So-Kyokushin Karate Tournament in Ahvaz, Iran.

This is the second time Muripo – a 4th dan belt fighter – has won gold at a high profile international competition after he became the first African to be crowned world champion at Osaka, Japan in 2009.

Muripo participated in three categories and quenched his usually insatiable thirst for success by winning two medals.

KCC poor run against Regent Olympic continues

2/28/2017

Regent Olympic Cricket Club maintains and extended their unbeaten run three out of three against Kent Cricket Club (KCC) in the ongoing Sierra Leone Cricket Association ODI Cricket Premier League on Saturday.

The Regentonians secured a 66 runs victory against their fellow newcomers at the Prince of Wales School ground thanks to a good batting performance.

Mclaren-Honda Signs New Era

2/28/2017

McLaren-Honda has announced a new global partnership with New Era, which sees the company becoming the official authentic headwear provider of the Formula One team.

As part of a three-year deal, New Era-branded caps will form part of the official team kit worn by race drivers Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne, as well as the McLaren-Honda mechanics, engineers and travelling race team.

Mozambique call up 16 players for FIBA AfroBasket 2017 Zone 6 Qualifiers

2/28/2017

8 Augusto Pio Da Costa Matos (MOZ) - Morocco v Mozambique, Afrobasket 2015, Radès (Tunisia), Group Phase, 24 August 2015

MAPUTO (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Two weeks after being re-appointed head coach of Mozambique's men's national team, Milagre Macome has selected 16 players for the preparations of the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 Zone 6 Qualifiers.

Without making significant changes, Macome - who last coached his country at FIBA AfroBasket 2013 - kept nine of the 12 players who featured at FIBA AfroBasket 2015 in Tunisia.

Hockey Stars award winners announced

2/28/2017

The male and female player, goalkeeper, rising star and coach of the year awards were presented to the winners at the Hockey Stars 2016 Awards ceremony in Chandigarh, India.

Olympic silver medallists; Belgium’s John-John Dohmen and retiring Netherlands star Naomi Van As, were named the respective male and female players of the year for 2016.

Jake Gleeson and Liam Ridgewell Available for Team Activities and Competition

2/28/2017

NEW YORK (February 27, 2017) – Following an incident on October 24 in Portland, involving Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson and defender Liam Ridgewell, the League conducted an investigation and, pursuant to the SABH Policy, each underwent an assessment by MLS’ Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health (“SABH”) Program doctors.

As part of the resolution of Gleeson’s legal case and following completion of MLS’ investigation and assessment, Gleeson has been participating in the SABH program. During his participation in the program, Gleeson has remained, and will remain, eligible to participate in all team activities and competitions.

Mission XI Million set to boost India’s football growth

2/28/2017

© FIFA.com

The benefits of India hosting the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup are set to be felt far into the future, thanks to an ambitious and far-reaching plan to fast-track the growth of football in the world’s second most populous nation.

October will see a FIFA tournament take place in the sports-mad country for the first time. The tournament will be a milestone event in many ways, but perhaps the most lasting aspect will be Mission XI Million, which is a grassroots program designed to encourage children to play the beautiful game and enjoy all the associated social and sporting benefits.

Yepes: It's wide open in South America

2/28/2017

© Getty Images
Listen

We asked him to be honest and he duly obliged. "Yes, you suffer. In fact, you suffer a bit more as a fan," he said with a chuckle. It has been quite some time since Mario Yepes, who hung up his boots just over a year ago, last pulled on the Colombia shirt, yet the long-time Cafeteros captain continues to keep close tabs on his former team-mates. "I've still got a lot of friends in the national-team squad, so I stay in the loop. I'm always wishing them the best and sending them positive energy."

‘Crespo’ Kamara continues goalscoring form in Häcken win

2/28/2017

Alhassan Kamara celebrates with teammate as Hacken continue run

Sierra Leone forward, Alhassan ‘Crespo’ Kamara on Saturday continued his good run in front of the goal by helping BK Häcken notch a 3-1 win over Atvidaberg in the Svenska Cupen (Swedish Cup).

The former AIK Solna striker gave his side the lead just 5 minutes of play before Emil Bellander leveled things up for the visitors five minutes before the break.

Clarke counting on Canada’s continued quality of preparation

2/28/2017

Caroline Clarke (CAN) - USA v Canada, FIBA Americas U18 Women's Championship, Valdivia (Chile), Final Round, 17 July 2016

TORONTO (FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017) - When Canada take to the floor at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017, it's likely few coaches will be as prepped as Carly Clarke.

Garmin expands cycling portfolio

2/28/2017

Garmin has announced the sponsorship of nine professional cycling teams in 2017, including five UCI WorldTour teams and four mountain biking teams.

In road cycling’s WorldTour, Garmin will continue its sponsorship of Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling Team and the Movistar Team, with Astana Pro Team, the FDJ Pro Team and Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka added to its list of partners.

In addition, Garmin will also continue to sponsor mountain biking teams Trek Factory Racing, CLIF Pro Team, CUBE Action Team and Scott-SRAM.

Ghana To Face Nigeria in Skate Soccer On March 19

2/28/2017

The Ghana Skate Soccer Association is organizing a skate soccer match between Ghana and Nigeria dubbed ‘Binatone International Unity Skate Soccer Fiesta’ next month.

Ghana will host her West African neighbour at the Independence Square in Accra on Sunday March 19, 2017, organizers have announced.

FIBA signs 11-year strategic partnership with iconic basketball brand Nike

2/28/2017

FIBA President Horacio Muratore (centre) poses with the Naismith Trophy and is joined by - back row (from left to right): Craig Zanon, Vice President and General Manager of Nike Global Basketball; Lynn Merritt, Vice President of Nike Global Basketball Sports Marketing; LeBron James (USA); Giannis Antetokounmpo (GRE); FIBA Central Board Members Jim Tooley (USA Basketball CEO/Executive Director) and Michele O'Keefe (Canada Basketball President and CEO); front row (from left to right): Lindsay Whalen (USA); Kyrie Irving (USA); Marc Gasol (ESP); Paul George (USA).

CareOne Presents 200 Wishes for Make-a-Wish New Jersey

2/28/2017

Olympic Medalist Nancy Kerrigan and the NHL's New Jersey Devils attend fundraising record event of 200 wishes for Make-A-Wish New Jersey.

CareOne will host the largest one-day fundraiser in the history of Make-A-Wish throwing a huge carnival at the Prudential Center featuring Olympic Medalist Nancy Kerrigan and New Jersey Devils' Corey Schneider. On Sunday, 26 February, CareOne is throwing a big carnival that is expected to raise enough money to grant 200 wishes. This would be the biggest single fundraiser in the history of the state's Make-A-Wish chapter.

FINAL Tourstop: Four-way fight for Ice Cross Downhill title.

2/28/2017

CANADA - Wintersports - Red Bull Crashed Ice - World Championship - FINAL

The 2016/17 Ice Cross Downhill World Championship concludes on March 3-4 with a Red Bull Crashed Ice race in Ottawa’s historic locks system featuring a riveting four-way battle for the men’s title and a tough three-way fight for the women’s championship.

CAS decision in the case involving Gordon Derrick

2/28/2017

© Getty Images

FIFA welcomes the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on 3 February 2017 to dismiss the appeal filed by Gordon Derrick, General Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) and President of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), against a decision of the FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee on 12 April 2016, which had established that Mr Derrick could not be admitted as a candidate for any position on the FIFA Council (i.e. as a FIFA Vice-President or as a member) in the elections that were due to be held in May 2016.

Amajita silence the Indomitable Lions in CAF U20 AFCON opener

2/28/2017

Photo Courtesy: safa.net
Cameroon……. 1 ( Mbu 14’)

South Africa….. 3 (Singh 16, 26, 57)

27 February 2017 – South Africa beat Cameroon 3-1 in their opening match of the 2017 CAF U20 African Cup of Nations in Ndola, Zambia in a bruising encounter that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the 90 minutes.