In the 400 meters men finals today in Hampden Park a little know star was born as South African Wayde Van Kirk surprised a stellar field of quarter-milers to take the Silver medal behind Kirani James with a time of 44.68 seconds.

In the inset of the stadium it was Silver Medal celebration as well for fellow South African Sunnete Viljoen who came in second in the women’s Javelin throw after launching the missile 63.19 meters

Meanwhile Dongmo Mekemnang of Cameroon was eighth in the shot put with a distance of 16.50 meters setting a new national record for Cameroon in the womens Shot Put final which Valerie Adams of New Zealand won handily. Nigeria’s Nwanneka Okwelogu was 9th behind Mekemnang in the Shot put with a distance of 15.13 meters setting a personal best in the process.

The Cell C Sharks have appointed talented loose forward Tera Mtembu as their new captain for the prestigious Absa Currie Cup.

Having come through the Sharks Academy ranks, Mtembu has always displayed leadership skills in addition to being a favourite among the clubs squad members. He is also highly respected by his team mates and he has captained the club during this years Vodacom Cup.

Tera made his debut for the Cell C Sharks in 2012 when he featured in the both the Vodacom Super Rugby and the Absa Currie Cup tournaments.

“Tera is a talented player and I have great faith in his ability. My hope is that he embraces this leadership role and gains valuable experience as the tournament progresses, which will assist us in grooming grooming him to take the next step into becoming a more consistent Super Rugby player who can eventually stake a claim for international honours,” said Jack White, Sharks Director of Rugby.

Glasgow 2014 has unveiled an exciting international line up for the sensational final fling of the XX Commonwealth Games.

Hampden Park, 9pm on Sunday 3 August will be transformed from the theatre of gold medal athletics success to a festival of celebration and song with 2,000 extra-ordinary volunteer performers lining up alongside global superstar Kylie Minogue and an array of iconic Scottish talents.

Just 18 hours after the conclusion of the Track and Field competition Hampden Park will be transformed into a stage to bring the curtain down on Glasgow and Scotland’s amazing Games with over 160 tonnes of staging, over 3000 props, 454 flags and the promise of a night out not to be missed in what athletes and spectators have described as one of the world’s friendliest cities.

Iconic international pop super star Kylie is one of the most successful and widely loved performing artists in the world and the pop princess has been topping the charts since beginning her career in 1987. She has released 45 singles and sold 68 million records worldwide. This year Kylie released her 12th studio album, Kiss Me Once, and will soon embark on a 33 date tour, proving that 2014 has all the signs of being Kylie’s best year yet.

Lulu who entertained the crowds at Glasgow Green during the Opening Ceremony will also appear.  Hailing from Glasgow, Lulu has since topped the charts in every decade, both as a solo artist and collaborating with some of the finest talents of our time.

Sierra Leone’s Samuel Morris defeated St. Lucia’s Pierre 4-3 in a 39 minutes group 25 match one Men’s single Table Tennis battle but suffered defeat at the hands of  Northern Ireland’s Peter Graham in the ongoing Commonwealth Games.

Morris suffered 11-5 defeat to Pierre in game one but went on to win game two three and four 11-4, 11-9 and 11-8 respectively before the St. Lucia athlete bounced back with two straight win 12-10 and 11-8.

However, it was Morris who has the last laugh with his 11-5 win in the final contest.

A Spanish court will push ahead with prosecuting the Barcelona forward Lionel Messi for alleged tax evasion despite a recommendation from the public prosecutor that the charges be dismissed.

The prosecutor argued in June that Messi’s father Jorge was responsible for the family’s finances and not the four-time World Player of the Year Footballer.

However, the court in Barcelona has decided that Lionel Messi could have known about and approved the creation of a web of shell companies that were allegedly used to evade taxes due on income from image rights. The judge in the case ruled that the case against both Messis should continue.

Daniel Sturridge is ready to step up and fill the sizeable gap left by Luis Suárez in the Liverpool attack and says his team-mates need to do likewise as they begin life without the prolific Uruguayan.

Suárez finished as Liverpool’s leading scorer in each of his three seasons at Anfield, including netting 31 goals in the Premier League during his side’s second-place finish in the last campaign.

However, Brendan Rodgers’ men will not be able to rely on Suárez anymore after the 27-year-old was sold to Barcelona for a club-record £75m this summer, but Sturridge insists there is more than enough talent at Liverpool to ensure the club continue moving forward.

Sensational Team South Africa swimmer, Chad Le Clos, was in seventh heaven once again at the 2014 Commonwealth Games after he walked away with two bronze medals yesterday. The medals brought his tally to seven, equaling the Commonwealth Games record of legendary Australian Ian Thorpe from Manchester 2002.

Swimming has done its part at this year’s Commonwealth Games, picking up 12 in South Africa’s overall total of 26. Le Clos himself collected a sixth medal when he made the podium in the men’s 200m Individual medley – although it was a desperately close thing.

Four Sierra Leonean athletes have allegedly gone missing from the Commonwealth Games Village in Glasgow, Scotland.

It is yet to be confirmed whether the four athletes; two boxers-Abdul Bangura, Mohamed Sillah and two weightlifters-Abu Kabia and Jonathan Johnson have all abandoned their team at the games village.

The quartets have not been seen around the village environment for the whole of Wednesday and are believed to have left with their room keys unlike the young cyclist who left with his key but is still missing.

Both Kabia and Sillah failed to progress from their preliminary fights losing in the 75Kg to Canadian Blair Brody and Australia Denis Lewis in the 69Kg respectively.

Didier Drogba has set his sights on winning the Premier League Title for a fourth time after rejoining Chelsea.

The veteran striker is back at Stamford Bridge after leaving in 2012 after penning a one-year deal, and is hoping to help the London outfit claim their first league title in over four years.

"I'm not coming here to break records, I just want to win trophies," Drogba told the club's official website.

"Five years is a long time not to win the Premier League title, so I want to win it. To lift the Premier League trophy is a fantastic feeling and we haven't experienced it for a few years - it's too long for a club like ours."

30 July 2014 - South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Dr Danny Jordaan has joined the world in mourning the passing away of Argentine football supremo, Julio Grondona

The veteran president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and FIFA vice-president, died on Wednesday at the age of 82 in a Buenos Aires clinic.

“This has come as a shock to me and I presume all those he worked with in Brazil 2014 World Cup. He was a close friend and was instrumental in galvanising the entire South American world to vote for South Africa to host the 2010 World Cup.

“I had many breakfast sittings with him recently in Brazil and his death has come as a shock to me,” said Dr Jordaan on learning about the passing on of Grondona.

The all-powerful figure, who had been in charge of Argentine football since 1979, had been taken to hospital suffering from heart problems and died while undergoing emergency surgery.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson has thanked South Africa’s Jacques Kallis for his contribution to the sport, saying he will be remembered for a long time for his consistency with both bat and ball in all formats of the game.

In his statement, Mr Richardson, said: “Jacques Kallis will go down as one of the greatest all-round cricketers in the history of the game. Since making his international debut at the age of 20, he has been a mainstay of the South African line-up in all forms of the game.

Gaborone, Botswana, July 30: The Botswana Football Association (BFA) has pulled out from hosting this year’s Confederation of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) Cup senior national team’s soccer tournament.

COSAFA Secretariat in Gaborone confirmed the development in a statement issued Wednesday which was made available to all its affiliates across Southern Africa region.

The statement cited financial and logistical constraints as the major reasons that has prompted Botswana FA decision  to  pullout from hosting the tournament that was due to be played in the country  from September 13-28 this year.

30 July 2014 - Amajimbos striker Khanyiso Mayo and defender Keanu Cupido said only complacency can stop the Under-17 from qualifying for the final round of the CAF African Youth Championships.

Molefi Ntseki’s charges take on Tanzania in the return leg of the African Youth Championships qualifier having drawn 0-0 in the first leg in Dar es Salaam two weeks ago. The match will be played at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday and will kick off at 15h00.

“We have trained hard, have remained focused and we just want to make the country happy,” said striker Mayo, who is the son of former Bush Bucks and Kaizer Chiefs striker Patrick Mayo.

The young Mayo said while it was heartening for people to ask about his father whenever his name is mentioned, he is quick to point out he is his own man.

“I have my own journey to travel although most of the direction is from my father. I believe however, that I would not like to remain in the shadow of my father. He played his part and has now passed on the baton. It is now up to me to make my own history and that history should start by me helping Amajimbos defeat Tanzania.

Clyde - the cheeky thistle at the heart of the Glasgow 2014 Games - continues to charm the public with appearances at venues and visitors flocking to follow the popular Mascot Trail.

He has also become a best seller with more than 45,000 cuddly Clydes being sold since the beginning of July – making it the No 1 product on sale.

Sales of Glasgow 2014 merchandise have surpassed expectations and today organisers revealed the top ten best-sellers which also include men’s tee-shirts which have been flying off the shelves with 34,000 being sold; 30,000 pin badges – always popular with the volunteers and Games fans – 17,000 key rings, 12,000 gel bracelets and 12,000 magnets.

The top ten best sellers are:

1.       Mascots (15 cm and 25 cm combined sales) 46,000

2.       Men’s tee-shirts - 34,000

3.       Pin badges - 30,000

4.       Women’s tee-shirts - 22,000

5.       Children’s tee-shirts - 20,000

6.       Key rings - 17,000

7.       Caps - 17,000

8.       Gel bracelets - 12,000

9.       Magnets - 12,000

10.   Men's polo shirts  - 10,000

29 July 2014 – South African Under-17 National Team captain Nelson Maluleke said the entire Amajimbos team is excited and confident of winning Saturday’s (2 August 2014) African Youth Championships (AYC) second leg qualifier against Tanzania at Dobsonville Stadium.

The two teams played to a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam two weeks ago and the attacking midfielder thinks Amajimbos have enough ammunition to dismantle the visitors at the vibrant Soweto venue on Saturday.

“We could have been taking a stroll on Saturday had we been more ruthless in front of goals when we played Tanzania in Dar es Salaam two weeks ago. But I presume, their vociferous fans put us under tremendous pressure hence they salvaged that unlikely draw as we were all over them,” added Maluleke.

The lanky midfielder said having home support must tilt the balance in Amajimbos’ favour.

“The whole team is excited about Saturday’s game, we want to make our own part of history at this stage of our careers and if we remain level headed, we have the whole world under our feet,” he said with a smile.

Victory for Amajimbos against Tanzania will see them play the winner between Egypt and Congo/Brazzaville.

The African Youth Championships finals will take place in Niger next March/April and the top four teams will qualify for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile next year.

ATHLETES and spectators are sampling some of Scotland’s best food ­­- as the Commonwealth Games showcase the nation’s larder.

All caterers appointed by Glasgow 2014 have signed up to the Commonwealth Games Food Charter – the first of its kind in Scotland - which highlights the importance of where food is from and how it has been produced.

One of Glasgow 2014’s obligations is to stage a Games with responsible environmental and sustainability standards. It aims to minimise its impact on the environment and seek opportunities that will enhance the environment. The charter puts the focus firmly on sourcing local food, where possible, from sustainable and traceable sources.

Glasgow 2014 produced the Food Charter to demonstrate its commitment to taking proper account of the sustainability of food provided at the Games. Glasgow 2014 also aims to promote healthy living, and will do this via the provision of a variety of authentic foods, including healthier options.

The 6500 sportsmen and women and officials at the 2014 Athletes’ Village can enjoy a range of quality produce such as Scottish salmon and  Arbroath Smokies, shortbread from Inverness and jam from the Highlands, Black face lamb from Argyll and beef from Lanarkshire, strawberries from Angus, yoghurt from Wigtownshire and ice cream from Arran, Dunshire Blue Cheese from Lanarkshire and cured bacon from Dumfrieshire.

Sierra Leone’s wrestler, Alpha Bangura suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Nigeria’s Melvin Bibo in the Men’s FS 74Kg round 16 battles at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Bangura’s defeat at the hands of his Nigerian opponent continue a trend of Sierra Leone’s poor run at the ongoing Games as none of the country’s athletes have been able to get past their preliminary rounds since the games  started a week ago.

The 22-year-old Bangura was unable to secure a single point against the hefty 37-yearold Nigerian who came away with eight points which turned out to be the winning score in period one of their fight.

In another development, cyclist, Mohamed Thorley is still missing from the Games village as he is yet to return since leaving the camp on Sunday July 27.

Sierra Leone’s female table tennis player, Stella Grant on Tuesday suffered a double defeat at the hands of Northern Ireland’s Emma Ludlow and New Zealand’s, Annie Yang in Group six.

The first match of the day saw Grant go down at the hands of New Zealand’s Annie Yang who secured a 4-0 win from their four match contest.

It was a tough day in the office for the 27-year-old Sierra Leonean who again lost to 17 year old Emma Ludlow of Northern Ireland 4-0 as she fell 11-9, 11-2, 11-7 and 11-5.

NEW YORK (Tuesday, July 29, 2014) – San Jose Earthquakes forward Yannick Djalo was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 20 of the 2014 MLS season.

Djalo notched a goal and two assists in the Earthquakes’ 5-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on July 23.

Djalo’s first assist of the night came in the 45th minute when he corralled a loose ball and sent a high arching pass down the left wing for midfielder Shea Salinas. Salinas took the ball into the box, evading the defender and sent a curling right-footed shot into the upper right corner of the net.  

Djalo’s goal came in the 79th minute with a cheeky chip at the expense of Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Midfielder Cordell Cato found his teammate making an intelligent run behind the defense and watching Johnson leave his line, Djalo hit a first time chip over the keeper to make the score 4-1.

NEW YORK (July 29, 2014) – On behalf of the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, MLS WORKS, ESPN and Special Olympics are collaborating to leverage the power of sports to promote an environment of social inclusion and acceptance, by uniting people with and without intellectual disabilities through Special Olympics Unified Sports.

On Tuesday, August 5th, MLS WORKS and ESPN will host a Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star soccer match between Special Olympics North America and Special Olympics Germany, to coincide with the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Stars taking on German Bundesliga club, FC Bayern Munich.

The two Unified Sports soccer teams (comprised of players both with and without intellectual disabilities, wearing uniforms provided by adidas) will play a 7v7 small-sided match, consisting of two 20-minute halves, at 2 p.m. PT on the Providence Park game field.  The game will start immediately following the AT&T MLS All-Star open training session with free admission to the public. Special Olympics athletes and unified partners will be available for interviews following the game.

Lusaka, Zambia, July 29: Zambia Sports Minister, Chishimba Kambwili has come under fire for his conduct during the Group B CAF Confederation Cup match between Zambia’s Nkana Red Devils and visiting Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel.

Kambwili reportedly stormed the Arthur Davies Stadium pitch in Kitwe after the final whistle of the game was blown to protest to the officiating Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema Weseye.

The Minister was angered with the way the Ethiopian match official handled the game which Nkana won 4-3.

He was particularly incensed with the two controversial penalties Weseye awarded to the visiting team which the local team supporters and the Minister himself felt were dubious.

The Zambia’s online soccer magazine, Bola Zambia warned that the conduct by Kambwili would attract serious consequences from the continental soccer governing body Confederation of Africa Football (CAF).

World-beating athletes and incredible crowds are ensuring the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is off to a sensational start. At the half-way point, Organisers revealed the number of Commonwealth and World record which have been toppled, the record-breaking tickets sales and the unprecedented crowds which have thronged across the city to soak up the once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere of Scotland’s biggest-ever sporting and cultural festival.

Games high points to date include:

• 1.2 million tickets sold, making Glasgow 2014 Scotland’s most successful sports event 
• More than 100 new Commonwealth Games Records and 5 new World Records set
• 151 Gold medals will have been presented by tonight (Tuesday, July 29)
• The biggest-ever world crowds for a Rugby Sevens tournament
• At least 300,000 visitors have now enjoyed the city’s live sites
• Haunting rendition of ‘Freedom, Come All Ye’ from the Opening Ceremony by South African singer Pumeza is now topping the UK I-tunes classical charts

And over Super Saturday and Sensational Sunday, the city enjoyed its biggest weekend ever with nearly 700,000 people flocking to enjoy a wide range of sport and culture venues and be part of Glasgow’s greatest sporting moment on the global stage. In addition, Glasgow 2014’s Rugby Sevens competition which saw South Africa triumph in a thrilling final against New Zealand, attracted world record-breaking Sevens audiences to Ibrox Stadium over the two-day competition.

Commonwealth Games Federation CEO, Mike Hooper, has announced that Nigerian weightlifter, Chika Amalaha, has been issued with a notice of disclosure after returning an adverse analytical finding from a in-competition test on July 25, and has been provisionally suspended from the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Ms Amalaha won the gold medal in the Women’s 53-kilogram division.

The athlete’s A sample was found to contain both amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide, both prohibited as diuretics and masking agents under class s5 of WADA’s Prohibited List.

It will a learning curve for South Africa’s upcoming golfers as they try to make their presence felt on the grand stage.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Zander Lombard, Paul Boschoff and Tristen Strydom will fly the country’s flag on both sides of the Atlantic this week. The South African Golf Associations top ranked pair will compete in the 112th Western Amateur in Chicago, while Boshoff and Strydom will hunt success in Belgium.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Lombard will compete their warm up for next month’s US Amateur at the Beverly Country Club in Chicago this week.

They came, they saw, they conquered.

The Proteas are not on top of the ICC Test Rankings after their impressive show against Sri Lanka where they won the series 1-0.

But it was a tough day in the office as the Proteas tail fought off Sri Lanka’s spinners to snatch a nerve jangling draw in the second test and seal a historic 1-0 series win.

The series victory propelled South Africa to the top of the world Test rankings ahead of Australia and also ended their 21 year old jinx on the island. It was their first series win in Sri Lanka since 1993 when they first toured the country and defeated the hosts 1-0.