News - AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY

Everything is cool with new management - Emmanuel ‘Gameboy’ Tagoe

2/25/2021

Emmanuel Tagoe, the former IBO Lightweight champion says he is very cool with the decision of his former promoters to part ways with him.

“I am very cool. Nothing is worrying to me and same with them. It’s not an issue we’ve got to fight over. So everything is cool.

"Now I have a foreign promoter who is promoting my fights and they have planned for me to mount the ring in May. So everything is fine”, he added.

Ghana names squad for South Africa and Sao Tome AFCON qualifiers

2/25/2021

6 Kotoko Players
4 Olympics Players
No Hearts of Oak Player
Wakaso Returns

CK Akonnor has dropped eight players from his initial squad that began training for the 2021 African Cup of Nations [Afcon] doubleheader qualifier against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe next month.

A new list of 26 players comprising 2 foreign base players are to report for training on Thursday, February 25, according to a list released by the Ghana Football Association today.

Notable amongst the list of players left out of the squad is Hearts of defender Mohammed Alhassan whose team has not had any impressive form.

Athletes facing wait to discover classification ahead of Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

2/25/2021

"A number of athletes" have yet to be classified ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, according to the IPC ©Getty Images

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed "a number of athletes" have yet to be classified ahead of the delayed Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Japanese capital Tokyo is due to stage the Games in just six months’ time but many athletes are still waiting to find out which categories they will compete in.

The IPC said the wait for classifications was "impacting" 10 of the 22 Paralympic sports, although the organisation would not specify what they were.

The delay is said to come as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which caused events to be cancelled or postponed last year.

According to Japanese news agency Kyodo News, more than 30 athletes that have either qualified to represent Japan at Tokyo 2020 or are still looking to book their place to represent the host nation at the Games have yet to be classified.

Among those are said to include Paralympic champions and there are fears athletes might not receive their classifications before the Games are planned to start on August 24.

"We cannot have a situation where athletes can't compete because of [no] classification," said Yumiko Taniguchi, executive director at the Japan Swimming Federation for Persons with an Intellectual Disability.

Classification is deemed to be the "cornerstone" of the Paralympic Movement by the IPC, determining which athletes are eligible to compete and how they are grouped together to ensure the credibility of competition.

The classification reviews would usually take place at major events, but many have been called off because of the global health crisis leading to a delay for athletes.

I'm the only solution for Hearts Of Oak - former Ghana international

2/25/2021

Former Ghana international, Sebastian Barnes has set his sights on the vacant Accra Hearts of Oak coaching job following the exit of Serbian trainer Kosta Papic.

The Phobians were hit with the resignation of three of their technical team members including head coach Kosta Papic who sighted some irregularities impeding his performance at the club.

Prince ‘the buzz’ Larbie named brand ambassador for Spar Bar

2/25/2021

Prince ‘The Buzz’ Larbie is now a Brand ambassador for Spar Bar company in the USA.

The company that deals in boxing equipment has added Prince ‘The Buzz’ to its top stars which include Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Manny Pacquiao and others.

Ghanaian duo in Uganda for 2021 International Badminton championship towards Tokyo 2020

2/25/2021

Two Ghanaian Badminton players are in Uganda, to participate in the 2021 International Badminton Championship.

The duo; Kevin Alphous and Prospera Nantuo would participate in the Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, and Mixed Doubles events on Thursday, February 25.

The two Mixed Doubles National Champions began their practice on Wednesday, evening at the Limpopo Stadium, Kampala ahead of their matches.

FIBA break new ground with Twitch in first International Federation agreement

2/24/2021

MIES (Switzerland) - FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, and Twitch have announced a multi-year collaboration to bring more basketball content to the interactive live streaming service.
The strategic agreement with FIBA is the first such deal that Twitch has struck with an International Federation. FIBA will not just stream sports content but also, together with Twitch, will tailor that content to maximize its impact on the service.
FIBA will broadcast around 600 hours of live basketball games each year to its own Twitch channel as well as other unique programming formats, which are specifically developed to leverage Twitch's unique interactive tools and features. Fans will be allowed to produce FIBA-related content on their own Twitch channels since FIBA is one of the few rights-holders in global sport to give access to official footage to Twitch creators.

Brisbane and AOC invited to targeted dialogue for the Olympic Games 2032

2/24/2021

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) today decided to follow the recommendation of the Future Host Commission for the Games of the Olympiad to enter into a targeted dialogue for the Games of the XXXV Olympiad. The IOC will start more detailed discussions with the Brisbane 2032 Committee and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) about their potential to host the Olympic Games 2032.Under the IOC’s new, more targeted and flexible approach to future host elections, the two Future Host Commissions (Summer and Winter) are permanently open to exploratory, non-committal continuous dialogue with interested parties and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) on their ambitions to host future Games. The Future Host Commission gave the opportunity of a presentation and a discussion to the interested parties in the continuous dialogue, which resulted in meetings on 3, 8 and 9 February 2021. The Commission has also engaged with those NOCs that have chosen not to be in the continuous dialogue at this stage.

Holloway breaks world indoor 60m hurdles record in Madrid

2/24/2021

World champion Grant Holloway eclipsed the long-standing world indoor 60m hurdles record at the Villa de Madrid meeting on Wednesday (24), clocking 7.29 to secure his overall victory in the World Athletics Indoor Tour.

The US sprint hurdler’s performance took 0.01 off the previous mark, set by Colin Jackson back in 1994.

Holloway had hinted at something special in the heats when he sped to a 7.32 clocking, smashing the meeting record and equalling his own world-leading mark and North American record.

Nigeria's Super Falcons look to extend win streak against Equatorial Guinea

2/22/2021

African champions Nigeria intend to deploy their rich vein of form to overwhelm Nzalang National of Equatorial Guinea as the group phase of the Turkish Women’s Cup tournament wounds up on Tuesday.

The 1999 FIFA World Cup quarter finalists pipped Uzbekistan 1-0 on Saturday evening – same scoreline they earned over CSKA Moscow’s Ladies squad in their opener to the tournament on Thursday. Midfielder Halimat Ayinde got the goal off a fine pull out by Captain Asisat Oshoala in the 47th minute to give Nigeria the three points.

Coach Randy Waldrum waxed lyrical after his second win in as many matches in charge of the nine-time African champions.

NFF renews partnership with Peak as Official Milk of Super Eagles

2/22/2021

The Nigeria Football Federation has renewed its relationship with the Peak Milk brand of FrieslandCampinaWAMCO as Official Milk of the Super Eagles - a partnership that has lasted well over two decades.

Peak became the Official Milk of the Super Eagles prior to the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals in France, where the Eagles reached the Round of 16 with spectacular wins over Spain and Bulgaria. France ’98 remains the only FIFA World Cup finals that Nigeria has made the Round of 16 ahead of her last game of the group phase.

Lakers’ James and Nets’ Durant named Starters and Captains for 2021 NBA All-Star Game

2/21/2021

The NBA All-Star Game starters, comprising two guards and three frontcourt players in each conference, were announced tonight by TNT during TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax

NEW YORK, United States of America, February 19, 2021/ -- James and Durant to Select Team Rosters in NBA All-Star Draft, Airing Thursday, March 4 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT; Western Conference Starter Pool: James, Warriors’ Curry, Mavericks’ Dončić, Nuggets’ Jokić and Clippers’ Leonard; Eastern Conference Starter Pool: Durant, Bucks’ Antetokounmpo, Wizards’ Beal, 76ers’ Embiid and Nets’ Irving.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James and the Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant lead the list of 10 players who have been selected by fans, current NBA (www.NBA.com) players and a media panel to start in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, which will take place on Sunday, March 7 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

As the NBA All-Star Game starters who led their respective conferences in fan votes during NBA All-Star Voting 2021 presented by AT&T, James and Durant will serve as team captains for the Team LeBron vs. Team Durant matchup and draft the rosters from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves in each conference. TNT will air the 2021 NBA All-Star Draft on Thursday, March 4 at 8 p.m. ET.

Football development highlighted in visit to the Central African Republic

2/21/2021

For the first-time ever, a team representing the Central African Republic qualified for a continental competition as they are competing in the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations

BANGUI, Central African Republic, February 18, 2021/ -- A meeting with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a national honour from the Central African Republic, and a presentation of a ground-breaking project involving the Central African Republic Football Association (RCA), the French Football Federation (FFF) and FIFA (www.FIFA.com), highlighted FIFA President Gianni Infantino's first-ever visit to Bangui.

The Renaissance Palace provided the setting for the meeting with President Touadéra, where the strategy to introduce practical steps to encourage more young people to play football was discussed, together with the performances of the national team ‘Les Fauves' (the Wild Beasts) and their aspirations. Subsequently, the Central African Republic's Prime Minister Firmin Ngrébada bestowed the honour of the National Order of Recognition, which was awarded in the rank of commander, upon the FIFA President at the CAR PM's headquarters.

“I am truly humbled to receive this honour. Football can contribute even if just a bit to make people's lives a little better being a symbol of unity, peace and solidarity.,” the FIFA President said.

Nizzolo & Pozzovivo lead Team Qhubeka ASSOS at UAE Tour

2/21/2021

The UCI World Tour gets underway this weekend with the UAE Tour taking place between 21-27 February. The Italian duo of Giacomo Nizzolo and Domenico Pozzovivo will lead Team Qhubeka ASSOS at the middle-east's premier cycling race.

The UAE Tour will consist of 7 stages; four of which suit the sprinters, two summit finishes and an individual time trial. With something for every type of rider, and as the debut UCI World Tour race of the season, the 2021 UAE Tour has attracted arguably its strongest peloton ever.

Team Qhubeka ASSOS will have one of the race's headline sprinters at the start, European and Italian Champion Giacomo Nizzolo, fresh off his victory at Clasica de Almeria this past weekend. Veteran climber, Domenico Pozzovivo will be taking aim at the two climbing stages and a strong overall GC result for Team Qhubeka ASSOS.

AIBA President attends Balkan Boxing League foundation ceremony

2/21/2021

A solemn ceremony of signing the Declaration of the Balkan Boxing League foundation took place in Belgrade. The meeting was attended by AIBA President Mr. Umar Kremlev and representatives of the national boxing federations of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro.
‘The Balkan League is created to strengthen regional and international cooperation in the field of boxing, to increase promotion and significance of this sport on the world stage, taking into account not only its sports component but also its educational, social and economic significance,’ Mr. Kremlev said.

FIFAe Club World Cup 2021 to take football into another world

2/21/2021

●   Over five thrilling days, from Feb 24-28, the world’s best FIFA 21 club sides will kick-off the fifth FIFAe Club World Cup™
●   Teamwork will be essential as the 42 best teams line up to compete for their share of the $350,000 in prize money
●   150 % increase in participating teams year-on-year in Online Qualifiers
●   Follow the action on FIFA.gg - the place where fans can watch together virtually with their friends and follow their favourite clubs and creators
As the dust settles on the draw for the FIFAe Club World Cup™ zone finals, the remaining 42 teams represented by two players each eye up who stands between them and triumph. The greatest FIFAe club event, played on EA SPORTS FIFA 21, will see the best esports teams in the world battle it out for their share of the $350,000 in prize money.
With the sweet taste of glory resting at their fingertips and teamwork being a decisive ingredient for success, each club will start their journey to the title in the group stage starting on February 24. The best two teams from each of the six zones will then progress to the finals weekend, for their chance to be named FIFAe Club World Cup 2021 zone winners.

African schools football competition to kick off in DR Congo

2/21/2021

Through football, you can teach respect for adversaries and rules, learning how to play as a team, how to win and lose

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, February 21, 2021/ -- FIFA (www.FIFA.com) and the African Union have agreed to launch a schools football competition following a meeting in Kinshasa between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, who is also the current Chairperson of the African Union (AU).

The two presidents, who had initiated discussions last week by videoconference, met at the Palais de la Nation in the DRC’s capital to further their productive talks of the previous days, and central to their exchange was the need to use the power of football to improve lives and to harness the possibilities it offers to instil positive values in young people.

On this subject, both the FIFA President and the AU Chairperson agreed to use the framework of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the African Union, FIFA and CAF, to organise schools football competition across Africa, which will kick off in the DRC. To initiate the project, a protocol was signed this afternoon between FIFA and the Ministry of Sports and Leisure of the DRC.

AIBA President will open the 72nd International Boxing Tournament STRANDJA 2021 in Bulgaria

2/21/2021

AIBA President Mr. Umar Kremlev will open one of the oldest European boxing tournaments, the 72nd STRANDJA competition in Bulgaria, which will take place from 22nd to 27th February.
‘I am very glad that the pandemic doesn’t stop us from holding such prestigious competitions as STRANDJA, which will open its doors for participants for the 72nd time. International boxing practice is more important for athletes than ever. And I am pleased to see how many strong athletes are participating in such tournaments. I wish them good luck and will be happy to watch spectacular fights,’ Mr. Kremlev said.

Media Accreditation And Support For Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

2/21/2021

The National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Ghana has announced that Media Accreditation process for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games begins on 22ndFebruary, 2021 and ends on 15th March, 2021.
Media houses interested in covering the Paralympic Games and NPC – Ghana preparations / Road to Tokyo programme can apply for accreditation within the period by submitting high quality scanned copy of bio data page of their passport and a high quality scanned passport sized picture (35mm x 45mm) and an official letter of introduction from their respective media houses to media.tokyo2020@npcghana.org before the deadline date.

Djokovic on cloud nine in Australia after Medvedev mauling

2/21/2021

A tournament that had to contend with many uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, climaxed with Novak Djokovic remaining an unbreakable force as he thrashed Daniil Medvedev to claim a record-extending ninth Australian Open title on Sunday.
The world number one’s 7-5 6-2 6-2 triumph under the lights at Rod Laver Arena secured his 18th Grand Slam title, bringing him within tantalising reach of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal’s all-time men’s record of 20.
Much like Dominic Thiem in last year’s final, Djokovic faced an opponent desperate for success and his own seat at the Grand Slam table.
Unlike Thiem, who pushed Djokovic to five sets, Medvedev never really threatened in his second Grand Slam final.
Djokovic made a mockery of the Russian’s 20-match winning streak and his pre-match barb that all the pressure to win was on the champion.
He broke him seven times for the match and closed out the one-sided contest with a net-rush and a brilliant leaping volley.

Akwasi Frimpong Finishes Season Strong In Innsbruck, Austria

2/21/2021

Skeleton athlete, Akwasi Frimpong finished the season strong in Innsbruck, Austria. Despite injuries, he had a start time personal best of 0.33 seconds on the track and set a personal best down time by 2.5 seconds.
He finished 12th on the final day, and the season13th overall in the IBSF Inter Continental Cup circuit compared to last season when he was 24th.
He expressed his joy and pride with the progress that he has made, and promised to participate and perform better in the next Winter Olympic Games.

AIBA criticises IOC for cancellation of Tokyo 2020 world qualifier

2/21/2021

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has criticised the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for cancelling the final boxing qualifier for Tokyo 2020.
Fifty-three quota places had been due to be available at the World Olympic Qualifier in Paris in June, but the IOC Boxing Task Force - organising the Tokyo 2020 tournament and the qualification events after AIBA's recognition was suspended by the IOC - scrapped the competition earlier this month because of the coronavirus pandemic.
These places at Tokyo 2020 will instead be assigned based on rankings, with the best-ranked boxer per region, per weight category receiving a berth.
AIBA revealed its concern about the decision in a statement, claiming it would still be possible to hold a qualifying tournament despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We respect the decision of colleagues from the IOC Taskforce; it is important for us to find boxing in the Olympic programme and fulfil the Olympic dream of our athletes," the statement said.
"However, we believe that it was possible to retain the qualifiers.

ARYNA SABALENKA CAPTURES WTA WORLD NO.1 DOUBLES RANKING

2/21/2021

Sabalenka set to become the WTA World No.1 in doubles for the first time in her career
Has secured the elite ranking spot after lifting the title at the Australian Open with Elise Mertens
Will be the 44th woman overall to claim the WTA World No.1 doubles ranking

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, USA - The WTA announced today that Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka will become the new WTA World No.1 in doubles when the rankings are released on Monday, February 22.

This is the first time in her career Sabalenka has captured the WTA World No.1 doubles ranking and will become the 44th woman overall to achieve this feat, and the second from Belarus after Natasha Zvereva in 1991

AIBA American Forum: development plan for the continent is set up

2/21/2021

AIBA Continental Forum for America, organized virtually this year because of the pandemic situation, was held on February 21.
Representatives from 36 countries attended the virtual session. The AIBA leadership and the National Federations of the continent discussed a number of pivotal issues, including reforms, new AIBA Committees and the competition calendar, a development plan for National Federations, a Communication strategy, a report from the legal group; they also held an anti-doping seminar with the ITA’s Head of Testing, Mr. Matteo Vallini.
AIBA President Mr. Umar Kremlev claimed that the intention of the continent to improve is 'incredible'.

Indian Super League: ATK Mohun Bagan humble East Bengal in 100th Indian clasico

2/19/2021

Friday marked the 100th year of the Kolkata derby regarded as the Indian Clasico by the country's football fans.

Played between Indian Super League side, SC East Bengal and ATK Mohun Bagan, fans were thrilled again as they have been yearly done since the first tie the Cooch Behar Cup in 1921.

SC East Bengal and ATK Mohun Bagan find themselves in contrasting positions on the table.

Bagan, impressive from day one of the season, are at the very top of the table and are favorites to walk away with the League Winners' Shield.