News - AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY

Major League Soccer Awards New Team to Los Angeles

10/30/2014

Ownership Group led by Entrepreneur Henry Nguyen and Sports and Entertainment Leader Peter Guber;also Includes Earvin Johnson, Mia Hamm Garciaparra, Tony Robbins, among others

LOS ANGELES (October 30, 2014) – A new era for Major League Soccer in Los Angeles began today as MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced that a new team has been awarded to an ownership group led by entrepreneur Henry Nguyen, sports and entertainment leader Peter Guber, and sports veteran Tom Penn. The new club is scheduled to debut in 2017 in a new soccer stadium in the greater Los Angeles area built specifically for the team.

Pun, Malla and Budhaayer shine as Nepal wins Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 3

10/30/2014

Uganda’s Roger Mukasa named player of the final and tournament

Three half-centuries helped Nepal defeat Uganda by 62 runs in the final of Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 3 in front of a passionate crowd in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday.

Sagar Pun (64), Gyanendra Malla (56) and Naresh Budhaayer (51) helped Nepal score 223 in 49.5 overs and then Bhuvan Karki returned figures of four for 39 to dismiss Uganda for 161 in 44.1 overs. The two sides had, on Wednesday, qualified for Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 2, which will be staged in Namibia from 17 to 24 January 2015.

Tributes Continue Pouring In For Meyiwa

10/30/2014

Still coming to grips with Friday's news that Olympic track athlete Mbulaeni Mulaudzi had died in a car crash, the country now reels at the passing of Bafana Bafana captain and Orlando Pirates soccer star Senzo Meyiwa.

Tributes have continued pouring in from all over the world for Meyiwa. Meyiwa died in a shooting incident in Vosloorus in the East Rand, near Johannesburg.

UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Youth Refugees and Sport completes first UN mission in Jordan

10/30/2014

IOC Honorary President Jacques Rogge completed his first mission as Special Envoy of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General for Youth Refugees and Sport.

With the goal of raising awareness on the conditions of youth refugees and the impact of sport for their well-being, Rogge visited Syrian refugees currently living in the Azraq, located in the desert 100 kilometres east of the Jordanian capital, Amman. He was accompanied by HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, IOC Member in Jordan and President of the National Olympic Committee.

More and more mourn Senzo

10/30/2014

29 October 2014 – The New Zealand Football Association says the passing away of Senzo Meyiwa has been felt by many in that country as the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and captain was part of the squad that travelled to that country a few months ago.

Meyiwa was shot and killed on Sunday, 26 October in Vosloorus, East of Johannesburg.

Senzo was part of Gordon Igesund’s squad that played to a goalless draw agaisnt the New Zealanders in Auckland earlier this year (30 June 2014)

Death of Sir Tennant Edward (Tay) Wilson KNZM, OBE, IOC Honorary Member in New Zealand

10/30/2014

It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has learned of the death of Sir Tennant Edward (Tay) Wilson KNZM, OBE, aged 89.

Sir Tay joined the IOC in 1988 and served on the New Sources of Financing Commission (1989-1993) and Finance Commission (1994-2006). He became an IOC honorary member in 2006.

Graduation ceremony at Cheikh Anta Diop University

10/30/2014

The students of the eight class of the UCAD/FIFA/CIES sport management Programme in Senegal received their diplomas two weeks ago in Dakar. The event took place in the presence of many leading figures of the academic and sports worlds, as well as the students attending the ninth edition.

Under the patronage of Mr Lamine Diack, the eminent President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the graduation ceremony for the eighth edition of the UCAD/FIFA/CIES Programme was attended by Ibrahima Diop, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of Education and Learning at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) representing the Chancellor, Djibril Seck, Director of the National Higher Institute for Popular Education and Sport (INSEPS), CIES General Secretary Vincent Schatzmann and Victor Kouami, Secretary-General of the Conference of the Youth and Sports Ministers of French-speaking Countries (CONFEJES).

Valcke: FIFA's committed to ensuring top-level conditions

10/30/2014

A ground-breaking FIFA Women’s World Cup™ is just around the corner. Canada 2015 will, unprecedentedly, involve 24 teams – eight more than participated at its last edition in Germany. Here, FIFA Secretary-General Jérôme Valcke discusses the importance of the competition, what FIFA is doing to ensure excellent playing conditions and its incessant dialogue with the participants.

Bauza: The Club World Cup is the pinnacle

10/29/2014

The Copa Libertadores is a trophy that has long obsessed San Lorenzo, who were for a long time the only member of Argentinaâ€™s so-called big five never to have won the prestigious competition. Having triumphed in the 2013 Torneo Inicial, El CiclÃ³n were gearing up for their latest assault on the continental trophy when they were rocked by coach Juan Antonio Pizziâ€™s shock resignation late last December.

Aware of the need to find a rapid replacement, the clubâ€™s directors offered the vacant hotseat to Liga Universitaria de Quitoâ€™s Argentinian coach Edgardo Bauza, who wasted little time in accepting the post. Having recovered their equilibrium, San Lorenzo promptly went on to win their first Libertadores and with it earn a place at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014.

â€œItâ€™s the biggest tournament a football team can play in. Thereâ€™s nothing that can top it,â€ the 56-year-old Bauza told FIFA.com, looking ahead to Morocco 2014 and 17 December, when El Cuervo play their opening game in the competition. â€œThe final is the game everyone wants to play in, the one that all the coaches want to be involved in. Itâ€™s going to be my second time and Iâ€™m so proud to be taking part again.â€

IOC awards 2018-2020 broadcast rights in Canada

10/29/2014

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced that CBC/Radio-Canada has been awarded the exclusive broadcast rights in Canada for the XXIII Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang in 2018, and the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo in 2020.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “We are pleased that we will continue to work with the team at CBC/Radio-Canada who have demonstrated their support for the Olympic values over many years. In addition, the financial support that CBC/Radio-Canada has committed as part of this agreement will be re-distributed by the IOC to support sport in Canada and around the world, as well as supporting future organisers of the Olympic Games.”

Hubert T. Lacroix, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada said: “Today we are fulfilling a promise made in our strategic plan to take a leadership role in broadcasting the Olympic Games to all Canadians, when, where and how they want. As Canada’s public broadcaster, we have a proud history of supporting and promoting our amateur athletes and helping to share their stories. The Sochi Winter Games of 2014 were the most watched in history. I am excited to think about what will be possible in 2018 and 2020 when, together, with our partners at Bell Media and Rogers Media, we will bring our athletes closer to home more than ever before.”

Meyer Rewards Five New Boks

10/29/2014

Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer put his faith in the players that shone during the recent Absa Currie Cup by drafting them into his 36 men squad that will tour Europe.

Meyer was lauded for including the likes of flying Western Province wing Seabelo Senatla and Lions flanker Jaco Kriel.

“Seabelo’s speed is well known to anyone who has seen him play for the Blitzboks (South Africa Sevens team) this year and we would like to see if he can take another step up in the toughest circumstances ,” said Meyer.

Twenty nine of the 36 players named for the outgoing tour were part of the Rugby Championship squad while Kriel and Senatla will be joined by the uncapped Lions duo hooker Robbie Coetzee and prop Julian Redelinghuys and Western Province number 8 Nizaam Carr while prop Coenie Oosthuizen and flyhalf Johan Goosen have been recalled to the squad for the four Test tour.

South Africa reclaims number-one ODI ranking after five years

10/29/2014

South Africa has reclaimed the number-one ranking on the Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings following the conclusion of its series against New Zealand in New Zealand.

South Africa had entered the three-match ODI series trailing Australia by one ratings point. It moved to the top of the table following its 72 runs victory in the second ODI in Mount Maunganui on Friday, 24 October. And though the third and final ODI of the series in Hamilton on Monday was washed-out, the results in Mount Maunganui were enough to ensure the Proteas finish the series on top of the tree.

This is the first time in five years that South Africa has surged to the top of the ODI team table. It last enjoyed the number-one position in September 2009, before losing the status to Australia following its first round elimination from the ICC Champions Trophy 2009.

Statement on the Ebola epidemic

10/29/2014

Since the beginning of the Ebola crisis in West Africa, FIFA has been in regular contact with the World Health Organisation (WHO) reviewing the impact of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) on global public health, mass gatherings and in particular its potential effects on football. The FIFA Medical Committee will continue to assess the evolution of the disease and take the appropriate measures for the communities and athletes.

Following concerns and questions raised in the football community about the epidemic and its impact on our game worldwide, FIFA would like to provide the following recommendations:

·       FIFA supports the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to organise the international matches of the countries currently experiencing EVD intense transmission (Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea) on neutral ground.

·       FIFA recommends that on the occasion of international matches, the pre-match training/meeting days of teams from the aforementioned three high-risk countries should also take place on neutral ground.

·       Ahead of international matches, in order to detect and contain any possible infections, FIFA recommends that any athlete and member of the entourage which displays symptoms consistent with Ebola and that has history of travel to the countries experiencing intense transmission be immediately isolated and tested for Ebola.

Tributes continue to pour in for the late Meyiwa

10/29/2014

28 October 2014 – Football Federations from across the world have joined millions around the globe in paying tribute to the late Senzo Meyiwa.

The Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana captain lost his life when he was shot on Sunday night (26 October 2014) in Vosloorus, East of Johannesburg.

The Football Federations of Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Jordan, Sao Tome e Principe among others are the latest to convey their condolences to the Meyiwa family, his club Orlando Pirates, the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the football family.

Egyptian club Al Ahly, which defeated Orlando Pirates in the final of the 2013 CAF Champions League with Senzo in goals, also paid tribute to the fallen hero of South Africa football.

“I am writing to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences over the unexexpected loss of your first team captain Senzo Meyiwa. Death is always a time of great sorrow, many of us here knew him personally and he will be missed. On behalf of everyone at Al Ahly, I would like to forward our deep sadness for the tragic loss of such a highly admired player. Our deepest condolences,” added Alan Abdel-Sadek, Football Director of Al Ahly.

SLVA scribe off to FIVB congress

10/29/2014

SLVA scribe… Ahmed Khanou enroute to present Sierra Leone’s caseSecretary General of the Sierra Leone Volleyball Association (SLVA), Ahmed Khanou will join others in Milan, Italy for the 34th edition of the International Volleyball Federation FIVB World Congress.

The congress will run from October 31 to November 1 and will bring together all FIVB members of the international volleyball family over a two day period and will be preceded by a one day workshop for all national federations.

Khanou and others will discuss issues with the FIVB and Africa confederation officials while also (members associations) will receive update from FIVB on key developments within the organization.

The SLVA scribe is also expected to express the country’s disappointment with FIVB and other members association over the refusal of visa to the country’s national team for respective championships.

Kamara makes Greek league with a message as Lamia triumph

10/29/2014

Sierra Leone midfielder, John Kamara made a return to the Greek second tier league with an Ebola message to world as he helped his side PAS Lamia to a 1-0 home win over AE Larissa on Monday.

The midfielder who was recently debarred from rejoining the club due as a quarantine measure against the Ebola virus after playing for the Sierra Leone national team, Leone Stars in their two legged 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cameroon in Yaoundé made his first club appearance since the incident.

And it was Kamara who made the play for teammate Andreas Vasilogianni to score in the 74th minute and gave them three points at home. The combative midfielder then celebrated the winning by showing his support against the discrimination of citizens in Ebola affected Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

Kargbo misses out of the upcoming New York City Marathon

10/29/2014

Sierra Leone’s distance runner, Idrissa Kargbo will not be competing at this year’s New York City Marathon having failed to register for the event.

According to the competition organizers, no runners from the three West African countries stricken by Ebola registered for the event.

Kargbo was able to compete in last year’s event after the New York Road Runners (NYRR) Club heard about his story and offered him a spot in the field and supporters crowd-sourced fund his trip.

He was involved in relief efforts in the country, and the NYRR Club President Mary Wittenberg said NYRR officials have stayed in touch with offers to help however; he (Kargbo) was unable to secure funds for this year’s competition.

APB Light Welterweights mix surprises with sureness in Novosibirsk

10/28/2014

Lausanne, Switzerland, October 27, 2014 - Week One of the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Pre-Ranking Phase continued tonight with the performances of the Light-Welterweights (64kg) in Novosibirsk, Russia.

The first fight of the night saw Bulgaria’s Boris Georgiev in action, and the man who won a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games, and turned professional in the United Kingdom in 2009, surprisingly lost his first APB fight to Germany’s Artem Harutyunyan.

Bafana Bafana Captain Shot Dead

10/28/2014

South Africa national soccer team captain and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa has passed on.

Meyiwa died from gunshot wounds to the chest in the East Rand suburb of Vosloorus, near Johannesburg.

Unconfirmed media reports suggest that Meyiwa was attacked at the house of his popular Afro Pop singer girlfriend and shot while trying to protect her from thugs who demanded cellphones, wallets and other valuables on Sunday evening.

Bafana Bafana players join thousands to send condolences to Meyiwa family

10/28/2014

27 October 2014 – Several Bafana Bafana have also expressed shock and dismay at the sudden death of their captain Senzo Meyiwa on Sunday night (26 October 2014).

Senzo was shot in a robbery in Vosloorus, East of Johannesburg.

The players join the likes of Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa the Honourable Fikile Mbalula, FIFA, CAF, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and many more in sending their condolences to the Meyiwa Family.

Batsmen on the charge as Australia hopes of topping Test ranking dashed

10/28/2014

Victory in Abu Dhabi Test will put Pakistan in third place

Dubai Test century-makers have vaulted in the latest Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen following the conclusion of the first Test, which Pakistan won by 221 runs to end Australia’s hopes of moving on top of the Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings.

Australia opener David Warner, who scored 133 in Australia’s first innings score of 303, has moved up one place to a career-high fourth position. He now has West Indies’ Shivnarine Chanderpaul firmly within his sights as only 12 ratings point separate the two left-handers.

Blatter's sorrow at Meyiwa's death

10/28/2014

The FIFA President has expressed his "deepest sorrow and anguish" at the death of South Africa goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa. In a letter to Dr Danny Jordaan, president of the South African Football Association, Joseph S. Blatter conveyed the condolences of the global football family following the tragic shooting of the Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates No1.

He wrote: "On behalf of the international football community I would like to express my deepest sorrow and anguish at the senseless killing of South Africa and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa last night. My heart goes out to his friends and family for the terrible loss of his young life.

Knockout Round Beckons for Four Hopeful Clubs

10/28/2014

The 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs presented by AT&T will get underway on Wednesday, October 29 as the first of two Knockout Rounds kicks off when FC Dallas host Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Toyota Stadium at 9:00 p.m. ET (TSN1). Vancouver won entry into the playoffs following a thrilling head-to-head race with Cascadia rivals, the Portland Timbers. A victory on the final day against the Colorado Rapids, thanks to a lone goal from defender Kendall Waston, ensured the Whitecaps a berth. The winner of the match will advance to the next round where they will host the Supporters’ Shield winners, Seattle Sounders FC, on Sunday, November 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, TSN2).

Men's shortlists for FIFA Ballon d'Or 2014 revealed

10/28/2014

Four days after announcing the names of the candidates for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year and the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football for 2014 awards, FIFA and France Football have today revealed the names for the men’s awards.

The candidates for the FIFA Ballon d’Or and for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football awards have been unveiled (see below). The final decisions will be made by the captains and head coaches of the men’s national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by France Football.

Minister Mbalula, SAFA President, Bafana Bafana coach praise the late Senzo Meyiwa

10/28/2014

27 October 2014 - Minister of Sports and Recreation SA, Fikile Mbalula, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan and Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba all heaped praise on the late Orlando Pirates and national team number one goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa as a selfless person whose blossoming career was cut short by senseless people.

Meyiwa was gunned down on Sunday evening on the East Rand, sending shock waves across the country and the world at the outrageous murder of the country’s number one goalkeeper and skipper.