News - AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY

Thomas Bach elected Honorary President of the IOC

3/22/2025

Thomas Bach was yesterday elected Honorary President for Life of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a position he will take up when his term of office as IOC President ends after 23 June 2025. The IOC Members accepted the proposal unanimously as they rose in a standing ovation after the proposal was made to the 144th IOC Session by IOC First Vice-President Nicole Hoevertsz on behalf of the IOC Executive Board (EB) in Olympia (Costa Navarino), Greece. Just before that, the IOC Session had heard about the tremendous success of the Olympic Agenda reforms, which defined the presidency of Thomas Bach.

AFRICA SPORTS VENTURES GROUP & WOMEN SPORTS AFRICA NETWORK ANNOUNCES A NEW DATE FOR THE 50 MOST INFLUENTIAL AFRICAN WOMEN IN SPORTS AWARDS

3/8/2025

Johannesburg, South Africa – March 8th 2025 – The Africa Sports Ventures Group (ASVG) is pleased to announce that the 2025 Edition of the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards will now be revealed on July 31, 2025 – Pan-African Women’s Day rather than the previously scheduled March 8, International Women’s Day.

MLS QUEST Builds on Successful Beta Launch by Introducing Game Changing New Features

3/7/2025

The Ultimate MLS Digital Scavenger Hunt is Expanding to Further Engage with and Grow the MLS Fanbase

NEW YORK (March 6, 2025) – Following a highly successful beta phase which attracted nearly 10,000 engaged users and over 600 completed game Quests, MLS QUEST, the premier digital collection experience for soccer fans, is taking the fan experience to new levels by offering new features designed to reward more players with even bigger prizes.

African delight and Japanese jump amid FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking™ highlights

3/7/2025

Updated FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking™ includes record 196 teams
Japan back in the top five, while the United States remain out in front despite SheBelieves Cup disappointment
Eye-catching achievements for Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania, among other African nations

The latest instalment of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking™ marks a number of milestones. The first release of 2025 features more teams than ever before: 196. Djibouti make their debut, entering the global pecking order in 195th place. This is just one of the ranking-related storylines served up the last couple of months, during which 127 internationals have been contested, including African qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™.

FIFA World Cup 26™ International Broadcast Centre to be hosted in Dallas

3/5/2025

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center will serve as the official hub for global broadcast media operations
The IBC will be operated by FIFA’s appointed Host Broadcaster, Host Broadcast Services (HBS)
Approximately 2,000 broadcast media representatives will have access to state‑of‑the‑art facilities

FIFA is pleased to announce that the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas has been selected as the official hub for the FIFA World Cup 26™ International Broadcast Centre (IBC).

Timelines and formats of landmark FIFA women’s club competitions confirmed

3/5/2025

FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™ to be introduced from 2026
Best women’s club from each confederation to compete for new trophy
Inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup™ to be held in 2028

This year, for the first time ever, all six confederations will crown a women’s continental club champion, marking a pivotal step in the development of the women’s game. Building on this historic milestone, FIFA will usher in a new era for women’s club football on the global stage from 2026 onwards, with the introduction – as approved by the FIFA Council at its meeting on Wednesday, 5 March 2025 – of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™ and the organisation’s new flagship tournament: the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup™.

FIFA Council approves unprecedented prize money pot for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ and takes key decisions on women’s competitions

3/5/2025

USD 1 billion in prize money announced for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™
Bidding processes launched for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2031 and 2035
FIFA Women’s Club World Cup to launch in 2028 and annual FIFA Women’s Champions Cup to kick off in 2026

FIFA’s robust financial foundation to develop football around the world took centre stage at the meeting of the FIFA Council, which unanimously approved the Annual Report 2024 , including the revised budget revenue target of USD 13 billion for the 2023-2026 cycle that will see nearly 90% invested back in the game to significantly boost global football development.

Rugby Africa President Attends Finance in Common Summit

3/3/2025

Cape Town – SA, where Rugby Africa, World Rugby, FFR, SARU, Agence France de Development, Expertise France and others came together to showcase a commitment to developing and growing rugby in Africa with emphasis on environmental sustainability, social inclusion and gender equality while empowering rugby unions in Africa to raise their capacity building drives.

Kirsty Coventry: A Trailblazing African Woman Poised to Lead the IOC

3/3/2025

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is on the cusp of a new era as Thomas Bach’s tenure comes to an end. Among the seven candidates vying for the prestigious position of IOC President, one name stands out in history—Kirsty Coventry, the first woman and the first African to run for this office. A legendary Olympian, Coventry is Africa’s most decorated swimmer and has been a key figure in global sports administration.

CAF Launches Broadcast Academy to Elevate African Football Production

3/3/2025

Photo Credit: cafonline.com

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially launched the CAF Broadcast Academy, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of TV production and broadcast standards in African football.
The academy aligns with the vision of CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe to make African football globally competitive and among the best in the world.

Maurice Hutton Named Director of Track & Field at The St. James

3/3/2025

Renowned coach brings championship experience and a track record of athlete development to The St. James Performance Academy

SPRINGFIELD, Va., Feb. 28, 2025 -- The St. James Performance Academy is proud to announce Maurice Hutton as its new Director of Track & Field, leading the Academy's competitive running program. With a proven history of fostering athletic excellence and guiding athletes to collegiate success, Hutton will shape the future of the Academy's track and field program.

Match officials announced for ICC Men’s Champions Trophy semi-finals

3/2/2025

The match officials for the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 have been announced as India take on Australia and South Africa face New Zealand.
New Zealander Chris Gaffaney and England’s Richard Illingworth will take charge of the first semi-final in Dubai between India and Australia, with Michael Gough serving as third umpire and Andy Pycroft on match referee duties.

First to the Finish--a New Docuseries Focused on the Relentless Pursuit of the MX-5 Cup Championship--Will Premiere March 25 on Prime Video

3/2/2025

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2025 -- Today, Prime Video announced a March 25 premiere date and revealed the debut trailer for First to the Finish, made in-partnership with Boardwalk Pictures and in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment. First to the Finish will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in North America and will provide unprecedented access to the Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship, a dynamic racing series for up-and-coming youth racers.

CAF Moving in the Right Direction: A New Era for African Football

3/1/2025

For years, football lovers across Africa have criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for its inability to manage the game at a world-class level. Despite African football being a cornerstone of the global sport, it suffered from mismanagement and lacked the necessary infrastructure to elevate its competitions.

CELEBRATING AFRICAN EXCELLENCE: TRACE AWARDS 2025 WINNERS UNVEILED

3/1/2025

Zanzibar, Tanzania - The Trace Awards & Summit 2025 has officially wrapped up, marking yet another extraordinary chapter in the celebration of African and Afro-descendant musical excellence.

Held at the breathtaking Mora Resort in Zanzibar, this year's event was a true testament to the power of music in bridging cultures and bringing people together with incredible performances.

The awards ceremony not only celebrated the best in African music but also highlighted the profound impact of the continent's artistry on the global stage.

Gill consolidates No. 1 position, Kohli re-enters top five of ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings

3/1/2025

India opener Shubman Gill has consolidated his position atop the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings after playing a big role in his team qualifying for the semifinals of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy.
Gill, who scored a match-winning 101 not out against Bangladesh and 46 against Pakistan in Group A matches played in Dubai this past week, has gained 21 rating points and moved up to 817 rating points, increasing the gap with second-placed Babar Azam from 23 to 47 points.

Spain jump one spot to No. 5 in the FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike

2/28/2025

FEBRUARY 28, 2025 - MIES (Switzerland) - There was little movement in the latest edition of the FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike following the final window of the 2025 Continental Cup Qualifiers as the top four remained the same headed by United States. Spain made the only move in the top 10, jumping one spot to No. 5.

eMLS CUP 2025: WHERE GAMING, SOCCER, AND CULTURE COLLIDE

2/28/2025

Major League Soccer and EA SPORTS Join Forces for One Night Only to Celebrate the Intersection of Sports Fandom and Culture at the Whitney Museum in New York City
NEW YORK – (Feb 28, 2025) – From March 12 - 14, 2025, Major League Soccer (MLS) and EA SPORTS FC PRO are presenting eMLS Cup Week 2025, which consists of a three-day event that will lead up to the eMLS Cup Final on Friday, March 14 at the Whitney Museum of American Art . This culminating event – coinciding with Whitney’s Free Friday Nights – will merge gaming, sports, music, and art.

2025 BASKETBALL AFRICA LEAGUE SEASON TO FEATURE RECORD SIX NEW TEAMS

2/28/2025

– 12 BAL Teams Include First-Ever Participants from Cape Verde and Kenya,
Previous Champions from Angola and Tunisia –

– BAL’s Milestone Fifth Season Tips Off on April 5 in Rabat with First-Ever BAL Games in Morocco; Tickets on Sale Now via Guichet –

DAKAR, SENEGAL, Feb. 28, 2025 – The Basketball Africa League (BAL) today announced the 12 teams and game schedule for the opening leg of the league’s milestone fifth season, which will tip off with the Kalahari Conference group phase from Saturday, April 5 – Sunday April 13 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco.

Africa's Top 5 Sports Disciplines - Impact & Opportunities

2/28/2025

Sports play a crucial role in Africa, not only as a form of entertainment but also as a major contributor to socioeconomic development. This research explores the top five most practiced and participated sports in Africa and evaluates their economic viability in terms of job creation, tourism, infrastructure development, and revenue generation. Backed by statistical data and credible sources, this study highlights how these sports can contribute to local economies across the continent.

MEET KENDOL DECKER: A TRAILBLAZER IN SOCCER DEVELOPMENT AND COACHING EDUCATION

2/27/2025

Kendol Decker is an accomplished youth soccer coach, club founder, and passionate advocate for soccer development in both the United States and his homeland, Sierra Leone. Based in Maryland, USA, Coach Decker is the founder of Aspen Hill Soccer Club, a program dedicated to providing high-quality and structured soccer development to youth in East Montgomery County and surrounding communities. He is also the driving force behind the Maryland Developmental Soccer League, further demonstrating his commitment to nurturing young talent.

President Bach to resign as an IOC Member after 23 June 2025

2/27/2025

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) today agreed to accept the resignation of IOC President Thomas Bach as an IOC Member, effective after 23 June 2025. This will be the day of the handover to the new IOC President, who will be elected on 20 March 2025 in Costa Navarino, Greece.

Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Sonic IDs celebrate diversity and creativity of Host Cities

2/27/2025

Producers from FIFA World Cup 26™ Host Cities come together for a first-of-its-kind initiative
Host City Sonic ID project blends global appeal with local flavour through music and sound
Sixteen city soundscapes to be released starting on Saturday, 1 March

Music has become an integral part of the FIFA World Cup™, and for the 2026 edition, it will reach an entirely new level. For the biggest football tournament in history, featuring 48 teams competing in 104 matches across three host nations, FIFA is introducing a groundbreaking initiative that celebrates diversity, creativity and the unifying power of sport through music.

Major League Soccer Unveils Club Roster Profiles Following 2025 Roster Compliance

2/27/2025

NEW YORK (Thursday, February 27, 2025) – Major League Soccer today released club roster profiles for each of the 30 MLS clubs as of February 24. The club roster profiles provide a snapshot of the roster composition for all MLS clubs following Roster Compliance, which took place on Friday, February 21.

All club roster profiles can be found HERE and are inclusive of the following information:

Aliyyah Koloc discharged from hospital after Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge accident

2/27/2025

After her accident in yesterday’s stage four of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Buggyra ZM Racing driver Aliyyah Koloc has been discharged today from hospital, to which she was airlifted for medical evaluation as a precautionary measure. Her co-driver Sébastien Delaunay was unharmed.