New York, NY — An international sport veteran with more than 20 years of experience designing and directing strategic communications, brand and broadcast programs in the Olympic Movement is joining the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) as Chief Brand and Communications Officer.
 
FIL Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr announced today that Darryl Seibel will begin his new role with FIL in mid-January 2019.  Seibel will be responsible for working with the FIL Board of Directors, led by President Sue Redfern, Scherr and stakeholders throughout the sport to develop and implement strategies that support the continued growth of lacrosse worldwide, including the introduction of a new brand platform for FIL.
 
The Federation of International Lacrosse is the international governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse, representing 62 member-nations worldwide.  FIL is responsible for the governance of lacrosse and provides support to the overall development of the sport worldwide.

The UN Climate Change Secretariat launched the new Sports for Climate Action Framework that was developed with the sports sector. The aim of the new framework is to gather sports organisations, teams, athletes, and fans in a concerted effort to raise awareness and action to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement for climate protection.
“Our commitment to protecting our climate remains unwavering. We recognise the critical need for everyone to help implement the Paris Agreement and accelerate the change needed to reach greenhouse gas emission neutrality in the second half of the twenty-first century. FIFA welcomes the UN’s development of the Sports for Climate Action Framework, and I am pleased to confirm that FIFA will support the vision outlined in the new framework”, said FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura.

CAF, BSWW and the National Championships hold a meeting to discuss future strategies and measures to foster the growth of the sport in the region

With the focus on the future of beach soccer in Africa, a round table meeting was held yesterday in Sharm El Sheikh, involving CAF, Beach Soccer Worldwide and representatives from the eight National sides. 

Samson Adamu, Director of Competitions, Josep Ponset, Beach Soccer Worldwide Director of Competitions and Ahmed Salem, CAF Beach Soccer Event Manager, sat down with the eight Team Managers of the Nations involved in the current edition of the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations to discuss what the future of beach soccer looks like in the continent, and what are the necessary steps to take in order to help it grow and achieve its potential. ​

Nigeria became the first country to book their place at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019 after beating Egypt 7-6 and qualifying for the final of the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations 2019 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
It was a memorable day for Abu Azeez, not only because he scored four goals in Nigeria's victory, but also because he scored his 100th goal for his country in the process.
This will be the Super Eagles' sixth Beach Soccer World Cup participation, In their previous appearance at Bahamas 2017, they failed to progress past the group stage.

German soccer outfit Bayern Munich have partnered with ecommerce giant Amazon in a deal that will see the Bundesliga champions launch their official shop on the site.
The agreement, which comes with pre-Christmas shopping in full swing, will initially only be available by customers in Germany. It becomes the club’s third official online shopping platform, alongside their website store and Tmall Global – the Chinese platform, which began collaborating with Bayern in 2015.
In partnering with Amazon to extend their digital sale options, Bayern have become the fourth soccer team to do so, and the first in Germany. Previously, Serie A outfit Napoli and La Liga sides Real Betis and Espanyol have launched online stores with Amazon.

SA rider, Willie Smit, donated three bicycles and kit worth over R60,000 on behalf of his sponsor, Alpecin, to the Velokhaya Life Cycling Academy, urging the country to get behind development cycling.
Smit, the 2017 African Continental Champion, has just signed for a second year on the UCI’s Pro World Tour with Team Katusha Alpecin and visited Velokhaya in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, with sponsor Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo which fights hair loss.*
Alpecin, which has a history with cycling dating back several decades, identified a need for bicycles at Velokhaya and joined Smit in a presentation and donation to children and staff at the academy on Wednesday.
Smit shared his rise from a difficult childhood to the pinnacle of global cycling, encouraging the youth not to give up hope and to fight to achieve their dreams.

It has been a sporting year to remember and to celebrate SuperSport will roll out a special Showcase channel from mid-December.
To run for two weeks (December 17-January 4), the channel will remind viewers of many of the year’s most spectacular highlights, from France’s dramatic World Cup triumph in Russia and the Springboks’ famous win in Wellington to the best of cricket, golf, tennis and so much more.
Several top sport documentaries will be weaved into the offering, including “Fire in Babylon”, “Forged in Fire”, “Being Serena” and “Strokes of Genius”.
“The Immortals”, a series of soccer documentaries, will feature luminaries like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Pele, Johan Cruyff, Thierry Henry and many more.

he Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa and the Ignition Group, have announced their newly finalised technology partnership with a Sport for Good activation at LIV Village, followed by a cocktail function at the Ignition Group offices in Umhlanga.
The Ignition Group is one of Africa’s largest providers of technology, media, telecommunication and financial services, built around a powerful purpose – to make life better through innovative technology. They approach markets that are traditionally complex and contested, simplifying them, making life easier for their customers, businesses and partners.
Their strategy to ‘make life better’ aligns perfectly with the driving ethos of Laureus, who strive to ‘make lives better’ through sport.
The partnership will see a strong strategic alignment, being implemented in both the technology, and community assistance spaces.
As a key technology partner, Ignition Group will be pivotal in providing hardware, such as tablets and smartphones, as well as telecommunication access, in the form of data and airtime.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced a five-year agreement with Royal Stag. The partnership, which runs through 2023, confirms Royal Stag as official sponsors of cricket's international events, including the upcoming big-ticket calendar events – the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC T20 World Cup and ICC World Test Championship.
 
Cricket has always been central to Royal Stag’s brand communication. Over the years, the brand’s continuous association with the world’s top cricketers has bolstered its engagement with cricket lovers across the country.
 
Commenting on the agreement, David Richardson, Chief Executive, International Cricket Council, said: "The ICC is pleased to welcome Royal Stag on board as our proud partner. We look forward to working together for the next five years in delivering a meaningful experience to the one billion plus adult cricket fans across ICC global events.”

Tokyo, 12 December 2018 – The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
(Tokyo 2020) today has opened voting to determine the names of the Tokyo 2020 staff and city volunteer
teams. The applicants of these two programmes will be able to cast their ballot from today until 20 January,
2019, with the chosen names announced at the end of January 2019.
The final four sets of candidate names for the Tokyo 2020 Games staff and city volunteer teams are as
follows (Tokyo 2020 Games staff on the left, city volunteers on the right): ​

FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) are pleased to announce the signing of Burjeel Hospital as a National Supporter of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018. The competition is due to be held in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain from 12 to 22 December 2018.
Based in Abu Dhabi, Burjeel is one of the leading hospitals across the Middle East. By supporting the tournament, Burjeel Hospital is reinforcing their commitment to the sport. As part of their sponsorship agreement, the company will provide extensive medical backing during the tournament, including services for the participating teams and supporters. 

Thousands of toddlers, teenagers, parents and pensioners from all walks of life joyfully descended on the Union Buildings in Tshwane this past weekend for the fifth Mandela Remembrance Walk and Run (MRWR).
Starting and ending at the country’s official seat of Government and with Madiba’s giant statue looking on to welcome the participants, the event was a fantastic celebration of the legacy and contribution of South Africa’s first democratic President.
The fifth edition of the event also paid tribute to struggle stalwart and activist, Ma Albertina Sisulu, and Margaret Gaso, one of those who spearheaded the historic Women’s March on the Union Buildings in 1956.
The country’s political elite, among them Minister of Sport and Recreation Tokozile Xasa, Gauteng Premier David Makhura, Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga and Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Faith Mazibuko, mingled with the country’s sporting elite and South Africans of all ages for the event through the streets of Tshwane.
Among the sports stars who participated were South Africa’s road running rock star Stephen Mokoka, former Comrades Marathon winners Ludwick Mamabolo and Charne Bosman, US Open wheelchair tennis semi-finalist Kgothatso Montjane, as well as football legends such as Shaun Bartlett, Kalusha Bwalya and Jabulani Mendu.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has agreed a multiyear partnership with Chinese digital content producer Migu to deliver extensive content to fans in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
The deal is the telecommunications company’s first with a North American sports league and makes Migu, which is owned by China Mobile, the NBA’s official telecom carrier immersion platform in China.
Migu will also become the official marketing partner of the NBA China Games, and will design and sell NBA and Migu co-branded lifestyle merchandise to China Mobile customers as part of the agreement.
“We are thrilled to start our relationship with China Mobile, Migu and their various media platforms,” said NBA China chief executive Derek Chang.
“This new partnership provides us with the opportunity to tap into Migu and China Mobile’s expansive reach and help us continue to grow the game of basketball in China.”

The power of sport to unite was brightly and boldly in evidence once again with bumper crowds celebrating in joyous harmony at the fourth edition of the HSBC Cape Town Sevens over the past weekend.
Mr Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union, thanked all stakeholders for their part in producing another explosion of colour and fun at the Cape Town Stadium.
“The players and the fans are the key participants at the HSBC Cape Town Sevens and I’d like to thank them for the contribution they make on the field or in the stands to another memorable and highly enjoyable event,” he said.
“People from different cultural, social, economic and political backgrounds come together in harmony at the HSBC Cape Town Sevens to enjoy brilliant Sevens, promoting social cohesion in a most tangible and real way.
“The Mother City rugby audience and visitors from around South Africa and the world help create a unique atmosphere and occasion for two days every December. Our commercial partners add their muscle and enthusiasm to the event to allow us to put on the high-octane show around the rugby that sets this event apart, we believe.

A collaborative anti-doping education meeting involving the key stakeholders in South African rugby was held on Monday in Newlands, Cape Town, with the aim of strengthening education and information delivery for young players and their support network. 
Chaired by World Rugby, with representatives from SA Rugby, the SA Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS), the SA Schools Rugby Association (SASRA), MyPlayers and the SA Rugby Legends Association (SARLA) in attendance at the offices of SAIDS, all parties committed to strengthening existing SAIDS/SA Rugby initiatives with the aim of a providing high quality targeted education throughout the development pathway. 
A particular focus will be placed on early education intervention through schools rugby, supported by joint research initiatives designed to better understand the pressures faced by those progressing in the game.
World Rugby’s Anti-Doping General Manager, Mike Earl, said he was delighted with the participation of the delegates and the outcome of the ground-breaking meeting in Newlands.

James Town, Accra based Jonathan Euro, one of the rising stars in kickboxers in Ghana shocked fans in Hong Kong when he took on and defeated home boy, Zhang Yulong in a 1-1 Super Fight Championship at the Star Hall on December 11, 2018.
Euro who is a member of the Pro Fighting Factory Gym was poised to make history and establish himself as one of the best fighters from Africa. 
He won by a round two knock out.
He told yours truly he wanted to see a title for Ghana as the defeat of Isaac Dogboe hurt him, and he also had to hurt someone in a revenge for Ghana.

Nii Adotey Dzata 1, president of the Ghana Kick Boxing Association has sent a message of encouragement and motivation to two practitioners who are competing in the month of December.
He said the season has not been very active, but they organized some few bouts and those practicing abroad are doing well, and can bring honours to the nation.
UAE based GhanaIan kickboxer, Gerald Dan face China's Liu Yong (67kg) in his next fight on December 29th at Lushan railway station in China.

The outgoing President of Rwanda Rugby Federation Mr. Araire Alexander congratulated the committee members and urged to work together as a team so that Rugby continue to progress

KIGALI, Rwanda, December 11, 2018/ -- Rwanda Rugby Federation (RRF) (www.RwandaRugby.com) Monday evening at the office of Rwanda Rugby Federation office the outgoing committee met with the new committee for the official handover.

The  outgoing committee helded by Mr. Araire Alexander handed over the constitution, the office key at Amahoro stadium, office equipements and other administrative documents to the new committee helded by Mr. Tharcisse kamanda.

The outgoing President of Rwanda Rugby Federation Mr. Araire  Alexander  congratulated the committee members and urged to work  together as a team so that Rugby continue to progress. He specifically emphacized on Rwanda Rugby National team which will compete, their first time, for the African Rugby Silver Cup next year 2019. "Next year is African Silver Cup, and requires proper plan" Araire said.

As world leaders at the UN Climate Change Summit in Poland (COP24) prepare to implement the Paris Agreement to limit the rise of global temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken on a leadership role in the new UN Sports for Climate Action Initiative, which aims to drive climate action across the sports community.The Initiative was launched today by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in partnership with the IOC, at a High-Level Event of the Summit. It aims to set the course for the sports world to address climate change through concrete commitments and partnerships, while applying verified standards to measure, reduce and report greenhouse gas emissions – in line with the Paris Agreement.
“Addressing climate change is everyone’s responsibility, and the IOC treats it very seriously – as an organisation, as the owner of the Olympic Games and as the leader of the Olympic Movement,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “Sport is about action, and today the world needs urgent action to limit the rise of global temperatures. The Olympic Movement and the sports community at large are committed to making their contribution to the Sports for Climate Action Initiative.”

Fredrick Assor, a tandem cyclist, has secured qualification to the 2020 Olympic games to be staged in Tokyo.
The Ghanaian para-cyclist, is among two Africans selected by the International Cycling Union (UCI) due to his ranking on the chart.
Assor, who represented Ghana at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, had an impressive outing at the Tandem Elite Championship in Australia.

Alan John ‘Fiyin’ Beales Jnr. is a 9 year old boy who participated in the first Women’s 5K Run on none-scoring basis and was actually the first person to cross the finish line in a good time of 23 minutes and 26 seconds at a speed of 12.41km/h, starting and ending at the Marina Mall.
Because he was male, he was not awarded a prize, but he told Yours Truly the race was part of his preparations and training for bigger things in the future.
The 8th of ten children has a dream and ambition of becoming Ghana’s best long distance runner and ever since his parents realized the talent, they have encouraged him to take part in many events.
The Cantoments Soul Clinic international school pupil who just turned 9 on November 21 is in class 3 and has the self cultivated desire to run, and has been running since age 3.
His best sport is athletics and he loves to do the middle distance races.

Cameroon has been stripped of 2019 edition due to infrastructure and security concerns.

Cameroon is set to host the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) despite being stripped of the hosting rights to the 2019 tournament as a result of security fears, according to the president of the African soccer federation (Caf).
Ahmad Ahmad revealed that the decision had been made with the Ivory Coast, who had initially been named as the event’s host, seemingly unlikely to be ready to hold the competition.

At a meeting of the Caf executive committee in Accra last Friday, Cameroon’s organising committee was told to continue its preparations ahead of the 2021 edition of the event.
Ahmad said: “We have seen that Cote d’Ivoire will not be ready to host Afcon in 2021. So the executive committee has confirmed Cameroon as host of 2021.
“We have taken the decision for the good of African football on the basis of rules and regulations of the game in force.”