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.”

• BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) and Internazionali BNL d'Italia (Rome) reclaim the accolades they won in 2017, while Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open and St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy receive awards for the first time
• Petra Kvitova lands Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award for sixth consecutive year, as Bethanie Mattek-Sands picks up her first Peachy Kellmeyer Player Service Award 
• Sascha Bajin receives first-ever WTA Coach of the Year honors

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, USA – The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced today the winners of the annual year-end tournament and player awards, as voted for by the players themselves. In addition, members of the WTA Coach Program voted for the first ever WTA Coach of the Year.

The WTA Tournament of the Year Award winners have received recognition from WTA players due to the excellence of their staff and organization, passionate fans, and wider dedication to the sport and its athletes.  ​

© Andrew Smith
A winner has been selected in the IAAF’s contest for the best photograph of the year taken by a fan photographer.
Held alongside the Photograph of the Year award for professional photographers, fan photographers were invited to submit their own entries via social media. The four finalists in the contest for professional photographers formed the panel to determine the winner of the contest for fan photographers.
The winning entry came from Andrew Smith, whose photograph of Mo Farah at London’s Big Half impressed the panellists.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am!” said Smith. “I went to spectate at the Big Half to watch my club-mates from Headington Road Runners. I was stood on the barriers just close to the halfway point and tried to ensure I had a clear view of the moment Mo Farah came round the corner. I took a burst of about 50 photographs to try to catch the perfect image.

Following the conclusion of the Copa Libertadores 2nd Leg in Madrid yesterday, FIFA has announced the final squad list for this year’s FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018.  
With the River Plate securing an 3-1 victory in extra-time over Boca Juniors at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu last night, ‘Los Millonarios’ complete the line-up for the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 and will join CD Guadalajara, Esperance de Tunis, Kashima Antlers, Real Madrid CF, Team Wellington FC and Arabian Gulf League champions, Al Ain FC at the competition, which takes place in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi this year from 12-22 December 2018.  

MIES, Switzerland - FIBA's Central Board met for the second and final time in 2018 on Friday-Saturday, December 7-8.
Here are the key decisions, updates and main takeaways from the meeting.

Andreas Zagklis unanimously appointed Secretary General
The Central Board unanimously agreed to appoint Andreas Zagklis as new FIBA Secretary General, filling the role that had been vacant since the tragic death of Patrick Baumann on October 13 in Buenos Aires.

House of Basketball to honor Patrick Baumann
Central Board member Richard Carríon proposed that FIBA honor the late Patrick Baumann by having the FIBA headquarters carry his name. FIBA President Horacio Muratore praised the idea and the rest of the Board expressed its full support.

The 5th edition of the Bukom Fist of Fury Boxing League lived up to expectations as the 16 bouts event spiced with some juvenile fights went well.
The crowd and management of Deep Sea 68 entertainment centre at James Town were very thrilled with the quality exhibition of amateur boxing and called for more boxing events at the venue.
Bantamweight Samuel Owoo of The Gym fought well but lost to Samuel Takyi of Discipline gym. Light welterweight Abram MacBruce of The Gym also did well but found Samuel O. Lamptey of Discipline too tough. 
Middleweight Mubarak Abubakar of The Gym beat Jonathan Tetteh of Discipline as Segbedzi Sampson of The Gym won over Azumah Mohammed of Discipline in a welter weight division.
Quacoo Avorgo of PPBA lost to Bawa Sharif of Wisdom in another interesting welterweight fray.
Dan Otoo Ankra of PPBA was not much for Theo Allotey of Wisdom in their lightweight encounter.

​Forbes interviews the founder of APO Group, a leading media relations consulting firm and press release distribution service in Africa and the Middle East
NEW YORK, United States of America, December 10, 2018/ -- Franco-Gabonese entrepreneur Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard is the founder of the APO Group (www.apo-opa.com), a leading media relations consulting firm and press release distribution service in Africa and the Middle East. The company, which Pompigne-Mognard founded in 2007, employs close to 80 employees across its offices in Switzerland, Dubai, Senegal and Hong Kong, and has an annual turnover of several million dollars. APO's bluechip clients include GE Africa, Dangote Group and DHL among others.

Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard recently stepped down as CEO of APO Group, and will now assume the position of Chairman, focusing on delivering high-level counsel for APO Group clients and developing his own investment fund dedicated to Africa.

He recently recounted the story of APO's early beginnings and mused on the evolution of the media relations business in Africa.

​Their day two kicked off with the Challenge Trophy Quarterfinal where they lost 31-34 to Argentina, the eventual Challenge Trophy winners. This loss automatically dropped them to the 13th place semi final where they played the loser of the third Challenge Trophy between Canada and Zimbabwe
NAIROBI, Kenya, December 10, 2018/ -- Shujaa (ShujaaPride.com) wrapped up their Cape Town7s campaign two positions higher than they did in Dubai7s last weekend. The team finished in the third place after seeing off Wales Rugby 33-26 in the final.

Their day two kicked off with the Challenge Trophy Quarterfinal where they lost 31-34 to Argentina, the eventual Challenge Trophy winners. This loss automatically dropped them to the 13th place semi final where they played the loser of the third Challenge Trophy between Canada and Zimbabwe. Canada beat Zimbabwe 28-24 for the 13th place semifinal to be repeat of the Africa7s Final between Shujaa and Zimbabwe.

Shujaa beat Zimbabwe 31-19 as Johnstone Olindi, Daniel Taabu, Dennis Ombachi scored a try each while Vincent Onyala scored a brace. Taabu added two conversions while Olindi added one. Zimbabwe scored three tries through Shingirai Katsvere and Stephan Hunduza(2). Hunduza and Tarisai Mugariri booted in one conversion each. Shujaa advanced to the 13th Place final where they met Wales who beat Japan 28-7 in the other semifinal.

Sports marketing agency, Stillwater Sports has welcomed Vital Health Foods as a partner to eleven major sporting events in 2019.
“We are proud to partner with South Africa’s leading vitamin and health supplement brand,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director Stillwater Sports.  “Catering for entrants of various ages, our events focus on a healthy lifestyle while encouraging people to enjoy the outdoors.  With Vital as a partner in 2019 we look forward to growing this trend and welcoming more participants to all eleven of our events which include:  the PUMA School of Speed (of which there are five), Totalsports Women’s Race (Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town) and the FNB Run Your City Series (FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN, FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN and FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN).

Coca-Cola® celebrates a fruitful partnership through its sponsorship of the Coca-Cola® Khaya Majola Cricket Week (KMCW).
The 40 year milestone marks the commitment and dedication to the development of young cricketers across the country.
The Coca-Cola® Khaya Majola Cricket Week saw players like AB De Villiers, Graeme Smith, Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma, Quinton De Kock, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi who all played for their provincial teams at the Khaya Majola Cricket Week over the years.
The Coca-Cola® Khaya Majola Cricket Week plays an important part in Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) talent identification process. Talented players spotted at the tournament are channelled into the national under-19 system and into the elite academies in the provinces. The week tournament also provides a stage for the players who have come through CSA’s development structures to perform in top cricketing franchises.

UEFA Champions League sponsor Heineken collaborated with Outdoor Network to roll out a national campaign across Outdoor Network’s digital network, inviting football fans to watch some of the world’s biggest teams go head to head on television.
This provided a platform for Heineken and the globally watched UEFA Champions League to build anticipation and drama, leading up to the final in Kiev, Ukraine.
Outdoor Network was able to tap into strategically located digital out-of-home sites in key locations across its national network, while at the same time offer up groundbreaking digital LED rotating billboard technology that provided real-time dynamic content change, which was a first in South Africa.

The International Olympic Committee has announced that it is premature to talk about adding esports as a medal event at the Olympic Games due to concerns within the industry.
Notable concerns where that some egames are not compatible with the Olympic values and therefore cooperation with them is excluded and the industry is too commercially driven, while on the other hand the sports movement is values-based.
The committee further raised the concern that the industry is evolving rapidly, with rapid development towards augmented reality and virtual popularity of specific games has led to a fragmented industry.
The 7th Olympic Summit though did acknowledge that the Olympic Movement should continue to engage with the community, whilst at the same time acknowledging that uncertainties remain.
Agreement was made that the sports movement is in competition with the esports/egames industry for the leisure time of young people, whilst competitive gaming too entails physical activity which can be compared to that required in more traditional sports.

Some of the world’s best beach tennis players are preparing to jet into South Africa for the forthcoming KIA Summer Slam Beach Tennis Tour.
The KIA Summer Slam beach tennis tour gets underway in Cape St. Francis and St. Francis Bay from tomorrow (8thDecember). The series culminates in a $25 000 prize money tournament in Plettenberg Bay – which will be one of the five richest beach tennis tournaments in the world.
David Sieff, Marketing Director, KIA Motors South Africa is excited about the new events: “KIA Motors has a longstanding association with tennis globally through the Australian Open, but also locally through our association with Team South Africa and Davis Cup,” he says. “We are very excited to now extend our partnership to beach tennis. It’s a fun and fresh format that is open to everyone, regardless of experience or skills. More than that, it is absolutely action packed! We look forward to seeing South African holidaymakers putting their skills to test against some of the best in the world.”

Cyclists riding in the bright South African sunlight are set to benefit from a new distribution agreement between Positive Sports Solutions and RYDERS Eyewear.
This is the latest in a series of contracts the SA distribution cycling company has set up as part of its mission to make high-end brands available to the market in the Southern African Development Community.
These include HEAD bikes, Gipiemme wheels, Westfalia bike racks, ControlTech cycling components and LUCK shoes.
Founded in North Vancouver, Canada, some three decades ago, RYDERS eyewear has been established as one of the top cycling accessories.
Simon G Edmonds of RYDERS Eyewear South Africa said they were delighted to join forces with Positive Sports Solutions to expand their operations in southern Africa.

The Takealot Tour of Good Hope’s elevation to UCI status for 2019 will ensure that one of South Africa’s premier road tours is a drawcard for local and international competitors.
It is the first time that the five-day race, which takes place in the Cape Winelands from March 4 to 8, will have UCI points up for grabs and Cycling SA general manager Mike Bradley believed it would benefit riders across the board.
He said it was the national body’s aim to develop more UCI-classified races and they had, therefore, approached race organisers ASG Events to consider this option.
With the documentation completed, the Tour of Good Hope has received UCI 2.2 status. It joins the only other event in South Africa with a similar ranking, the Tour de Limpopo.
Bradley said their top priority was to create more opportunities for South African riders to earn UCI points.
“Having these sorts of races is important, particularly at this time because from now until October it is Olympic qualification year,” he said.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has launched a new YouTube channel featuring players and fans in partnership with Canadian over-the-top (OTT) streaming service Broadband TV (BBTV).
The NBA Playmakers channel will focus on original cultural programming that mixes digital influencers and followers with the league’s marquee players, teams, and events, including All-Star, the NBA Draft and NBA Summer League.
“This community of creators has become part of the NBA family and has helped us connect with fans in a new way,” said Jeff Marsilio, NBA’s senior vice president for New Media Distribution. “We’re excited to launch this channel to further reach and engage our passionate fans through unique content.”
BBTV and NBA first partnered in 2009, with BBTV managing fan-uploaded NBA content on YouTube.
They then launched the NBA Playmakers network in 2016 to distribute ‘basketball-culture content’ with exclusive access to NBA resources including footage, tickets, and merchandise.
In addition, the new YouTube channel will cover an array of topics across basketball culture, fitness, training, entertainment, fashion, and gaming, and will also be cross-promoted on the NBA’s social media outlets, which share a combined global reach of 1.5 billion subscribers.