BUENOS AIRES (Youth Olympic Games 2018) - The 40 participating teams (20 men’s and 20 women’s) were divided into 8 pools of 5 after the automatic seeding of the 3rd edition of the 3x3 basketball competition at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), that will bring together some of the best U18 3x3 players in the world in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 6-18, 2018.

Top two from Belize, Canada, Panama and the USA will play in the 2019 regional final alongside Bermuda and Cayman Islands• ICC Development Manager – Americas, Fara Gorsi: “We are thrilled that the second sub regional qualifier is to be hosted in Raleigh, USA and we can experience the newly built community cricket facility”
• First ever international cricket tournament to be played in the Town of Morrisville
• The men’s ICC World T20 2020 qualification pathway is available here
The road to the men’s ICC World T20 2020, heads to Raleigh in the United States, where the second of two Americas regional qualifiers takes place; with Belize, Canada, Panama and USA fighting for two qualifying spots.
To date 17 teams from eight sub regional groups have already qualified for the 2019 finals across the five regions. The four teams from the ICC World T20 Americas Qualifier A, will be aiming to join Bermuda and Cayman Islands which qualified in March, in the Americas Final next year.
The Town of Morrisville, Raleigh will play host to an international cricket tournament for the first time ever at the newly built community cricket facility, when it hosts the event between 19 and 26 September. Twelve matches will be played across six days, with the top two teams in the standings at the conclusion of the tournament qualifying.

© IAAF
The IAAF has its own set of criteria for the reinstatement of the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) which it laid out in 2015 when the Federation was suspended.  The progress against the reinstatement criteria has been overseen by the Independent Taskforce, chaired by Rune Andersen and including members of the IAAF Council.
Andersen and his taskforce will review the decision made by WADA and the conditions set by WADA over the next few weeks and check RusAF progress on other criteria still outstanding. The taskforce will then compile their report with a recommendation and present this to the IAAF Council at the beginning of December. It is then for Council to discuss and decide any actions.

LeBron James has announced that his production company, SpringHill Entertainment, is working on Space Jam 2 and has brought on Black Panther director Ryan Coogler to oversee the project.
SpringHill Entertainment, James and business partner Maverick Carter’s company, announced the news by tweeting out a cartoon image of a changing room with lockers for James, Bugs Bunny, Coogler and Terence Nance, who will direct the film. Coogler will act as the producer.
James and Carter have been in talks to make a new Space Jam film for more than five years. SpringHill signed an agreement with Warner Brothers, which owns the Space Jam rights, in 2015.
James, who has previously praised Coogler for his work on Black Panther, a Marvel blockbuster featuring a primarily black cast and a black superhero, was personally involved in the producer’s recruitment.

Six members of the Springbok squad that recently returned from Australasia will feature in the Currie Cup this weekend in an additional treat for spectators who will be in line to receive free boerewors and braai spice sachets at host stadiums in celebration of Heritage Day on Monday.
Springbok squad members Ross Cronje (Xerox Golden Lions), Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Damian Willemse (DHL Western Province) will wear their provincial colours this week in the Currie Cup, sponsored by Nashua and DirectAxis Financial Services.

A number of successes during its seven-year existence have underlined the value of the Madibaz Football Club’s outreach programme with township schools.
Having started in 2011 with Phakamisa High, the club linked hands with Zwide school Ndzondelelo High in 2014 and the sustainability of the arrangement is a firm step in the right direction.
Madibaz Sport Football manager Mark Tommy said they had initiated the project to create a permanent form of development, rather than the one-off tournaments and clinics they had previously arranged.
In the most recent evidence of the programme’s success, Ndzondelelo won the U19 provincial final of the Kay Motsepe Cup and will represent the Eastern Cape in the national finals of the competition next month.
Ndzondelelo coach Asanda Gomba said this outcome, in addition to league successes in the U16 and U18 age-groups, was a direct result of the association between the Nelson Mandela University club and the school.
“This programme has helped the [Ndzondelelo] team to achieve in school tournaments and their participation in the Pefa [Port Elizabeth Football Association] leagues makes it much easier for our coaches,” he said.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has announed that it will seek legal advice on SAFA's new multi-million rand sponsorship deal with OUTsurance.
On Tuesday last week SAFA announced a five year partnership with the insurance firm, which will see match officials wearing kits emblazoned with the OUTsurance logo during Absa Premiership matches.
After a meeting of the National Soccer League's board of governors in Kempton Park on Thursday 20th September, the PSL released a statement indicating that it will seek legal advice with regards to a potential infringement on the rights of its sponsors.
"The board of governors discussed, amongst other matters, the implications of sponsorship agreement entered into between SAFA and Outsurance to sponsor match officials," the press release said.

HYDERABAD (FIBA 3x3 U23 Nations League) - France won both men and women's categories in the second edition of the FIBA 3x3 U23 Nations League after the 2 final stops in Hyderabad, India on September 21-22, 2018.
In the women's category, France narrowly edged out China in the standings (720 tour points to 710 overall). 'Les Bleues' started their U23 Nations league campaign on a 13-game winning streak and won 5 of the 8 stages in which they participated. The pocket-sized Caroline Hériaud (5ft 5in, 1.65m) was named MVP of the competition.
China also won 5 stages, including the last one in Hyderabad against France in the final but their 3rd place in the other Indian leg cost them the title. Last year's winners Hungary won bronze.
In the men's category, a little déjà vu: France beat China to 1st place by a wider margin (740 to 700 tour points). MVP Charly Pontens led the team to 5 stage wins (out of 8). In fact, France played in the final of every single stop. France finished on a high, winning the last 2 events in Hyderabad.

The seven teams joining host Egypt for the final tournament of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2018 is no more a secret.
 
With holders Senegal and Nigeria, losing finalists of the last edition qualifying automatically, the remaining five spots were determined at the weekend.
 
Only two matches took place, Madagascar beating Mozambique 10-9 on aggregate whilst Cote d’Ivoire edged Uganda 7-5 on aggregate.  
 
Libya, Morocco and Tanzania went through after opponents Kenya, Sudan and South Africa respectively withdrew.

Nyasa Big Bullets etched their name into the history books of Malawian football setting a new record as far as unbeaten matches are concerned.  
 
Bullets achieved the feat after beating Kamuzu Barracks 6-0 on Sunday (16 September 2018) in the TNM Super League to break a record which has existed since 2000. A brace each from Chiukepo Msowoya and Bright Munthali, coupled with one each from  Musa Manyenje and Nelson Kangunje sealed victory.
 
Bullets are now unbeaten in 21 games this season and in 39 league consecutive matches since last season. Their last defeat dates back 16 July 2017, a 2-1 loss to Silver Strikers.
 
The record 12-time league winners are on course to match a record which Escom United, now defunct, set when they finished the 2008/09 season unbeaten in 28 league games.
Prior to that, Be Forward Wanderers masterminded an earlier feat in 2000/01 when they finished that season unbeaten in 28 games.
 
Bullets are one of the most successful clubs in the South East African country followed by Silver (eight titles) and Wanderers (six championships).

Eswatini giants Mbabane Swallows, hit the 50 league unbeaten matches run on Thursday night (20 September 2019) with a priceless 2-1 win over Young Buffaloes in a league match played at Somhlolo National Stadium.
 
Kola Aledeon and Sizolwethu Shabalala struck for the defending champions sandwiched Ndoda Mtsetfwa’s lone Young Buffaloes goal as the Thabo Vilakati-coached outfit’s league invincibility hit the 50th match game.
 
Swallows last lost a league match on the 16th of May 2016 thanks to a 3-1 Royal Leopards win and along the way the birds have bagged two consecutive league titles unbeaten and just needed two matches from this season to hit this new milestone.
 
Having opened the new season with a 3-1 win over city rivals Mbabane Highlanders, Swallows picked a vital win which former sports journalist, Sibongiseni Zondi described a literal championship winning triumph.

Bobsled and Skeleton Federation - Ghana is excited to announce that World Class Skeleton competitor Zach Lund has been named head performance director of Team Ghana.  Zach previously coached the USA Skeleton Team and helped Team USA to win three Olympic medals in racing.
“I have 20 years of experience being an athlete and a coach,” Lund said. “I know I can bring the knowledge and experience” to help team Ghana compete.
Lund won two bronze medals at the FIBT World Championships with one in Men’s skeleton in 2007 and one in the mixed bobsled-skeleton team event in 2008.  He finished #1 in the World Cup standings in 2007.
He says the decision to join Team Ghana as head performance director was an easy one.
“It’s not about the nation winning medals,” Lund said.  “It’s about being with people who are there for the right reasons.  The Olympics are about bringing people together.”

Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club (KCCA FC) emerged winners of the 2018 FUFA Super Cup after defeating Vipers SC in the game played on Saturday.


The closely contested encounter ended goalless in 90minjutes but it was KCCA FC who got the edge in the kicks from the penalty mark winning 4-2. No extra time was played.


The game started on a low temple and the first attempt at goal came from Vipers SC new recruit Noah Wafula in the 4th minute whose effort was saved by goalkeeper Charles Lukwago.


On the other end, Bernard Muwanga attempted an overhead kick off Mustafa Kizza’s cross but went wide for the first half to end goalless.


Both teams called for changes in the second half with Vipers SC introducing Tito Okello and Brian Kalumba for Frank Tumwesigye and Wafula respectively.


KCCA FC brought on Sadat Anaku and Musa Esenu for Mike Mutyaba and Allan Kyambadde in that order to at least force a goal.

• Third FIFA Diversity Award presented at anti-discrimination ceremony in London
• HODI awarded for their work empowering adolescent girls through football
• FIFA Diversity Award recognises an outstanding organisation striving for diversity and anti-discrimination

A global sport that transcends boundaries, football has the remarkable ability to bring us all together; uniting everyone under a shared love of the beautiful game. Division and discrimination, however, still exists in society and can manifest itself in different forms.
Kenya’s Horn of Africa Development Initiative (HODI), who are using the power of football to combat social barriers while fostering safety, were presented with the FIFA Diversity Award 2018 during at a ceremony in London on Sunday.
Moderated by sports journalist and broadcaster Amanda Davies, the event was a rich showcase of best practice on diversity and anti-discrimination through football, with representatives of diverse organisations from around the globe present, including the award’s finalists John Moriarty Football (Australia) and Show Racism the Red Card (UK).

Marta is The Best FIFA Women’s Player for 2018. The 32-year-old Brazilian beat fellow nominees Ada Hegerberg and Dzsenifer Marozsan to claim the highest individual prize in women’s football.
The award sees Marta’s crowned as the world's best for the sixth time and caps a professional career that has spanned close to two decades. FIFA.com spoke to Marta moments after she received her award on stage at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
FIFA.com: Congratulations Marta, you are The Best FIFA Women’s Player for 2018. How do you feel?
Marta: I'm very happy. It's been an amazing night, but at the same time, I realise that a great responsibility comes with it and that is to always reach and search for your best but, yes, I'm very happy.
This is your first time winning The Best trophy. Have you already thought about where you will keep it?
You can be certain that there’s a special space in my house for all the awards I have won, even from the very first medal when I was a girl in college! I’m going to organise a little corner that’s very special for this trophy.

Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric collected The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2018 award in London on Monday evening. Visibly moved by the experience, he later shared his feelings about the stunning 2017/18 season that led to this crowning moment.
FIFA.com: How does it feel to have won the first The Best award of your career?
Luka Modric: It’s an incredible feeling. I am proud and honoured to be here. It’s been a special night for me and a special moment in my career.
The Best award is voted for by players, coaches, the media and fans. How does it feel to be recognised by all of them?
It’s very important. There’s no bigger reward than being chosen by so many people. I’d like to thank all the people who’ve helped and supported me all this time.

Meeting yesterday in London, the FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee gave its backing to a groundbreaking reform package of the transfer system. Representatives from clubs (ECA), leagues (the World Leagues Forum), players (FIFPro) as well as member associations, confederations and the FIFA administration validated a set of recommendations to increase the transparency of the system, protect its integrity and reinforce solidarity mechanisms for training clubs. The proposals will now be submitted to the FIFA Council for approval.
“We have brought everyone to the table and all key actors of the industry have understood that we need to take action, leading today to this reform proposal. This is a significant first step towards achieving greater transparency, the effective enforcement of rules that will deliver millions in solidarity payments to clubs, and developing a consensus on how to tackle the issue of agents, loans and other key aspects of the transfer system”, said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

FIFA marked The 2018 Best FIFA Football Awards™ today by announcing that it has made a major donation to help refurbish new changing facilities on Clapham Common, South London – as part of a new legacy initiative with the London FA.
The announcement is part of FIFA’s commitment to using the return of The Best FIFA Football Awards™ to London to help the local community with the changing rooms identified by FIFA, The FA and the London FA as a legacy project that would benefit grassroots football across the capital.
Clapham Common is currently home to over 30 London FA clubs with hundreds of players in adult and youth, male and female teams. However, the dilapidated changing rooms and lack of changing space for women and girls has recently led to female players, including the South London Laces, being unable to play on the Common.

(L-R) Carlos Alberto Parreira, Clarence Seedorf and Marco van Basten attend the FIFA Football Conference at JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel on September 23, 2018 in London, England. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein - FIFA via Getty Images

70 days after the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Final, coaches and technical experts from nearly 200 member associations and all confederations gathered at the FIFA Football Conference in London today to analyse the latest footballing trends and tactics showcased at this summer's showpiece event in Russia.
For the first time, coaches and technical experts of all member associations were invited to gather at a single post-FIFA World Cup football conference to analyse and discuss key learnings and experiences from this summer's FIFA World Cup.
Speaking today, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: "Today, for the first time, the national team coaches and technical directors from nearly 200 Member Associations gathered in one room and I can only be honoured about it, as FIFA President and as football fan. This event fully reflects our philosophy of placing football and key representatives from across the game - including players, coaches and technical experts - at the heart of our activities."

Didier Deschamps, Manager of France (L) celebrates waving a French flag as Hugo Lloris of France lifts the trophy following his side victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. Photo by David Ramos - FIFA via Getty Images
Coaches and technical directors from nearly 200 member associations and all six confederations, are set to take part in the FIFA Football Conference in London on Sunday, 23 September.
The event, which will be opened by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and moderated by FIFA Legends Alex Scott and Clarence Seedorf, will comprise an introductory session in which FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG) will present a technical and tactical assessment including key statistics of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™, followed by a tribute to winners France, with the participation of national team coach Didier Deschamps. The afternoon sessions will include discussions on coaching matters, lessons learnt from Russia 2018 and the use of video assistant referee (VARs), among others.

Luka Modric, Didier Deschamps and Marta pose for a photo during The Best FIFA Football Awards at Royal Festival Hall on September 24, 2018 in London, England. Photo by Julian Finney - FIFA via Getty Images

Didier Deschamps and Reynald Pedros announced as The Best FIFA Coaches during spectacular awards ceremony in London.
In a spectacular show that saw the elite of world football descend on London tonight, FIFA crowned the new king and queen of the sport at The Best FIFA Football Awards™.
Luka Modrić and Marta took the top individual honours in the men’s and women’s game, with Modrić named The Best FIFA Men’s Player for the first time after a successful year with Real Madrid CF and Croatia, and Marta claiming The Best FIFA Women’s Player award following her achievements in the women’s game.

• Olympic Movement joins forces with Allianz as trusted partner
  
• Ambition to use the power of sport to connect with new audiences via digital channels. 
  

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Allianz today announced that the insurer will join the ”Worldwide Olympic Partner” (TOP) Programme in 2021.
Through this sponsorship agreement, Allianz will work with the IOC to provide innovative and integrated insurance solutions to support the Olympic Movement, including the Organising Committees of the Olympic Games, with the ambition of providing those insurance solutions to the National Olympic Committees around the world and their Olympic teams and athletes. The support will include existing products, such as fleet and property & casualty insurance, but also insurance solutions for future products and services, driven by technological changes. The partnership will run from 2021 through to 2028.

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.”