News - AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY

USA start second round with win over Kenya

8/30/2015

USA take advantage of their strong blocking on way to victory over Kenya

Okayama, Japan, August 30, 2015 – World champions the United States started their second round play at the 2015 FIVB Women’s World Cup with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-13) rout of African champions Kenya here Sunday afternoon.

The American women have won four matches in a row following an upset full set loss to Serbia and improved their overall win-loss record at this World Cup to 5-1. It’s also the first time since 2003 that the United States record four successive wins at the World Cup.

Stakeholder & fans demonstrate against SLFA President

8/30/2015

Protesters displaying a banner demanding Isha Johansen quit

Football stakeholders and fans on Saturday August 29 staged a big demonstration at the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) secretariat, Kingtom calling on Isha Johansen and her executive to step down.

The protest at the SLFA secretariat was backed-up with another at the Barmoi Hotel- where the world football governing body, FIFA representatives; Primo Corvaro and Kwesi Nyantakyi were meeting with the seven-man committee- that was set up to help identify the genuine delegates for the Football Association congress.

Reigning champions Angola dispatch hosts Tunisia, Nigeria outlast Senegal in AfroBasket 2015 Semi-Finals

8/30/2015

Yanick Moreira (ANG) - Tunisia v Angola, Afrobasket 2015, Radès (Tunisia), Semi-Finals, 29 August 2015

RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Angola and Nigeria will square off in Sunday's Final at AfroBasket 2015 after beating hosts Tunisia and Senegal respectively in Saturday’s Semi-Final in Rades, Tunisia.

In the highly-anticipated game of the day Angola defeated Tunisia 58-51.

Angola and Nigeria will meet in a re-match of the title game from AfroBasket 2003.

President Diack: "The IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 have been wonderful... Thank you China!"

8/30/2015

The concluding joint IAAF and Local Organising Committee (LOC) press conference at the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 took place before the start of the last day of athletics in the Bird’s Nest stadium on Sunday (30).

Guests included IAAF President Lamine Diack, IAAF President elect Sebastian Coe, IAAF General Secretary Essar Gabriel, LOC Executive Chairman and Assistant Director of General Administration of Sport of China Gao Zhidan, LOC Deputy Chairman and Director of the Athletic Administration Centre of General Administration of Sport of China Du Zhaocai, and LOC Executive Secretary General and Vice Minister of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports Chen Jie.

Nigeria reach first AfroBasket Final since 2003

8/30/2015

RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Nigeria became the first team to reach the AfroBasket 2015 after an 88-79 overtime win over Senegal on Saturday in Rades, Tunisia.

The win ends Senegal's five-game winning streak in the tournament.

Nigeria sharpshooter Chamberlain Oguchi made 8 of his 13 three-pointers to lead all scorers with 28 points, while Gorgui Dieng, who played the entire 45 minutes despite being in foul trouble spearheaded Senegal's charge with 20 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.

IAAF Athletes' Commission election results

8/30/2015

The six newly elected representatives of the IAAF Athletes’ Commission are as follows (listed in alphabetical order): Valerie Adams, Mutaz Essa Barshim, Yelena Isinbayeva, Koji Murofushi, Christian Olsson and Andreas Thorkildsen, the IAAF announced on Sunday (30).

All 1873 athletes accredited for IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 had the right to vote in the elections, for which there were 16 candidates and which took place during the championships between 23-29 August in the official team hotels.

The total number of votes cast was 1310, with valid votes being 1267. Ballots were rejected if more or less than six candidates were selected.

Essengue retires from Cameroon’s national team

8/30/2015

Gaston Essengue (CMR) - Egypt v Cameroon, Afrobasket 2015, Radès (Tunisia), Group Phase, 21 August 2015

RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Gaston Essengue’s national team career has ended on Friday as Cameroon beat Cape Verde 88-66 in the battle for the ninth-place of AfroBasket 2015 in Rades, Tunisia.

Despite feeling energetic and capable of competing at high level, the 31-year-old who last played for Argentina side Ceferino-Alianza de Viedma, feels it is time to give a generation an opportunity.

Egypt awarded wild card to round out field for AfroBasket Women 2015

8/30/2015

Egypt National Team - AfroBasket Women 2013

ABIDJAN (AfroBasket 2015) - Egypt have been awarded a wild card to take part in AfroBasket Women 2015, it was announced on Friday, following a decision made by the Africa Board of FIBA.

Egypt complete the 12-team line-up for the leading African women's basketball competition that will take place in Yaounde, Cameroon from 24 September-3 October.

They join tournament hosts Cameroon, defending champions Angola along with Algeria, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda.

Angola beat Tunisia to set up AfroBasket 2015 title showdown against Nigeria

8/30/2015

RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Angola defeated AfroBasket 2015 hosts Tunisia, 58-51, in Saturday's second Semi-Final in Rades, Tunisia.

The win not only ended Tunisia's five-game winning streak in the tournament, but it also spoiled their attempt to re-claim the continental trophy they first won in 2011.

The Angolans, paced by Carlos Morais, Eduardo Mingas and Yanick Moreira who combined for 48 points, led for all but 1:41 minute of the contest.

Makram Ben Romdhane paced the Tunisians with 12 points, Michael Roll added 10 but the Tunisians were unable to capitalise on the tireless support from the 12,000 strong home fans.

Algeria's Benzegala returns home optimistic

8/30/2015

Mounir Benzagala (ALG) - Egypt v Algeria, Afrobasket 2015, Radès (Tunisia), Classification 5-6, 29 August 2015

RADES (AfroBasket 2015) Mounir Benzegala’s AfroBasket debut couldn’t have been any better as he helped his country finish sixth at AfroBasket 2015.

The Algerians closed their AfroBasket campaign with a 69-63 defeat to Egypt.

But, the 1.80 point guard couldn’t gone unnoticed either.

World record ratified

8/29/2015

The following world record has recently been ratified...
World record
Women
1500m: 3:50.07 Genzebe Dibaba (ETH) Monaco, MON 17 Jul 15
Previous: 3:50.46 Qu Yunxia (CHN) Beijing, CHN 11 Sep 1993

Technology highlight refereeing process at Men's U23

8/29/2015

Technology was used for refereeing process at Men's U23 World Championship in Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 28, 2015 – The new refereeing technology devices were all applied successfully during the 2015 Men's U23 World Championship in Dubai, united Arab Emirates under supervision of the Refereeing delegates Hassan Ahmed and Chareonpong Songsak.

The recent tools include the Electronic score sheet, the referee Tablet for both the first and second referees and the communication device between the first and second referees.

Teams relaxed and ready for action in Okayama

8/29/2015

China got a warm reception at Okayama Station on Friday

Okayama, Japan, August 29, 2015 – The FIVB Women’s World Cup will continue in Okayama (and Sendai) on Sunday and ahead of the action a press conference was held at the team hotel in Okayama.

Argentina coach Guillermo Orduna: We have come this far and achieved our goal, but the condition of our team is not stable yet. So we’d like to keep trying to maximise what we can do. Okayama has extended warm hospitality to us and we find it very comfortable here, so I think my team is ready for our matches.

Salinas counting down the days to Chile 2015

8/29/2015

After even a brief chat with Yostin Salinas, it is clear the Costa Rican youth international is fiercely determined to succeed. What is also clear is that he is not short of inspiration in this quest, with his role models some of the most gifted players of all time.

“I’ve read all about the journeys of Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o, and they didn’t have everything handed to them either," said the 16-year-old. "They all come from humble backgrounds where money was scarce, but they always looked to the future and refused to give in. They’re an inspiration to me."

Queen Yuna” reigns again over the Winter Youth Olympic Games

8/29/2015

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced South Korean figure skating legend Yuna Kim as the latest Ambassador to support the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games, which will take place from 12 to 21 February next year in Norway.

Widely known as “Queen Yuna” for her long-standing success on the ice, the Olympic champion paid a special visit to the host city to mark the announcement of her role. Yuna spent the day visiting the Youth Olympic Village, touring Lillehammer’s venues and paying the local organisers a visit. This evening she will host a skating workshop for local youngsters and the Norwegian national figure skating team at the Hamar Olympic Amphitheatre – the figure skating venue for the Youth Olympic Games, also used during the Olympic Winter Games Lillehammer 1994.

For Youth Olympic fans around the world, Yuna will be available for a live social media chat tomorrow (28 August) on Periscope at 10.30 a.m. GMT+2. For more information go to twitter.com/youtholympics. Fans can send their questions for Yuna to answer on Twitter using the hashtag #AskYuna.

MLS Disciplinary Committee Decisions: Week 25

8/29/2015

NEW YORK (August 28, 2015) – The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Portland Timbers midfielder Will Johnson an undisclosed amount for simulation in the 29th minute of Portland’s match against Houston on August 21, 2015 (VIDEO).

In addition, D.C. United forward Jairo Arrieta has been fined an undisclosed amount for simulation in the 74th minute of D.C.’s match against San Jose on August 22, 2015 (VIDEO).

Mayimba starring for Gabon before embarking on US college career

8/29/2015

Gyll Therence Mayimba (GAB) - Gabon v Mali, Afrobasket 2015, Radès (Tunisia), Group Phase, 21 August 2015

RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Gabon became one of biggest surprises of AfroBasket 2015, and Gyll Therence Mayimba played a significant role in his country's campaign.

They started off with three defeats in as many games, but the team that had last appeared in Africa's flagship event in 2005, wasn't prepared to go home empty-handed and, against all odds, eliminated favourite Cape Verde in the Round of 16.

Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series racing surges into Gothenburg

8/29/2015

America’s Cup action continues this weekend, as the fleet descends upon Gothenburg, Sweden for the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, with racing from August 29-30.

The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series leaderboard is as follows:

Land Rover BAR - 19 points

Emirates Team New Zealand - 18

Kamara shines bright in football's firmament

8/29/2015

Listen

Kei Kamara has lived many lives in his 30 years. He grew up in the midst of a brutal civil war in Sierra Leone and was a refugee granted asylum in USA during his teenage years.

He went to university before becoming a professional footballer in his early 20s, bouncing around Major League Soccer with greater and greater success until given a chance to try his hand in England's top divisions. He became an idol in his native country after becoming a regular for the Leone Stars and scoring the first-ever Premier League goal by a Sierra Leonean before returning to the USA where he has added MLS Golden Boot favourite to his resume.

Fayazi helps Iran past Egypt in epic five setter

8/29/2015

Egypt's Abouelsoud Eid attacks against Iran's double block

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 29, 2015 – Outside hitter Pourya Fayazi conducted Iran to a scintillating victory over Egypt in grueling fiver setter 3-2 (25-17, 22-25, 25-12, 24-26, 15-9) in Pool A of Men's U23 World Championship at Al Nasr Hall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

Eaton breaks decathlon world record - IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015

8/29/2015

USA's Ashton Eaton successfully defended his decathlon title by breaking his own world record* with a score of 9045 at the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015.

The Olympic champion led from the outset after clocking 10.23 in the first event, the 100m. After solid marks in the long jump (7.88m), shot put (14.52m) and high jump (2.01m), he ended the first day with a world decathlon best of 45.00 in the 400m.

He continued to lead throughout the second day, clocking 13.69 in the 110m hurdles, throwing 43.34m in the discus, clearing 5.20m in the pole vault and throwing 63.63m in the javelin. After nine events, his score was already 8216.

Cameroon win as six teams conclude AfroBasket 2015 campaigns

8/29/2015

Arnaud Adala Moto (CMR) - Cameroon v Algeria, Afrobasket 2015, Radès (Tunisia), Round of 16, 26 August 2015

RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - On the day that Cameroon beat Cape Verde, six national teams ended their AfroBasket 2015 campaigns, while Mali, Egypt, Gabon and Algeria will take to the floor to round out the 5th-8th place battle on Saturday.

Egypt fell to reigning champions Angola on Thursday but bounced back on Friday, holding off Mali 74-51 in the first of the day's two 5th-8th-place games.

Venkatapathy Raju joins coaching team for ICC Americas Cricket Combine

8/28/2015

ICC Asia Development Officer and former Indian spinner excited by opportunity to return to the USA and work with the best talent in the Region

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that former Indian spinner Venkatapathy Raju would be part of the coaching team for the ICC Americas Cricket Combine to be held in Indianapolis, USA from September 18 to 27.

The show goes on, says Pauw as Egypt withdraws from All-Africa Games

8/28/2015

27 August 2015 – Banyana Banyana head coach Vera Pauw says it is unfortunate that Egypt had withdrawn from the All Africa Games which will take place in Congo, Brazzaville, from 3 – 18 September.

While the reasons for the withdrawal of the North Africans are not known, Pauw says the show will have to go on.

“It is very unfortunate that they had to withdraw from the competition but that is beyond our control. However, from our standpoint, nothing changes. We would have loved to play against them because, as I have been saying, this is ideal preparation for our 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea next month,” said Pauw.

Senegal beat Algeria to set up Semi-Final clash with Nigeria

8/28/2015

RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Senegal clinched a place in the Semi-Finals of AfroBasket 2015 with a comprehensive 75-58 win over Algeria.

Once again, Gorgui Dieng stood out with game-highs of 20 points and 17 rebounds as the Senegalese took a step closer to claiming their first continental title since 1997.

Cheikh Sarr's team reached the Semi-Finals for the second time in a row and will face Nigeria, a team they defeated in the Quarter-Finals of AfroBasket 2013.