Sports
Table Tennis kickstarts 13th African Games in Ghana – ITTF
Table Tennis kickstarts 13th African Games in Ghana – ITTF
Table tennis will kickstart the 13th African Games taking place in Accra, Ghana, from March 8 to 23, a statement by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) made this known on Sunday.
Being one of the sports expected to showcase talents and skills, 29 countries will jostle for honours in seven events at the games.
All eyes will be on Africa’s highest ranked player Quadri Aruna of Nigeria, who is yet to add African Games men’s singles title to his medal tray.
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The statement by the ITTF also said the Accra International Conference Centre would host the table tennis event for seven days.
The men’s singles will kick off the tournament with 84 men while 62 women will battle for the coveted prize in the event.
According to the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), the 18 men’s teams will be drawn into six groups of three each while the 12 women’s teams will be drawn into four groups.
Top teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage of the event.
It stated that in the last two editions of the games, Egypt had dominated all the events claiming the majority of the gold medals ahead of former continent’s heavyweight – Nigeria.
In the men’s singles, all eyes will be on men’s defending champion Olajide Omotayo, who has not replicated the form he displayed at Rabat 2019 in any continental event.
The Nigerian’s best outing in any tournament was finishing in third place at the 2023 African Championships.
Women’s singles defending champion, Dina Meshref, will also be aiming to retain her title.
She, however, needs to fend off her compatriot – Hana Goda ,who has dominated the continent in the last four championships claiming the African Cup and championships.
For the President of ATTF, Khaled El-Salhy, the turnout of teams for the games had been impressive, being the largest number in any African Games.
”We are excited with the presence of teams across the continent, and we hope this will again showcase talents and skills by some upcoming players including youngster, Matthew Kuti, who has been included in the Nigerian squad for the games,” he said.
Table Tennis kickstarts 13th African Games in Ghana – ITTF
Asaba to host Wheelchair Basketball Atlantic Conference League
Seyi Johnson, President, Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, has said that its forthcoming “Betking” Athletic Conference League Finals, scheduled to hold in Asaba, Delta, would be an opportunity for exceptional athletes with disabilities to shine.
Johnson who said this in Lagos on Friday, noted that teams from Delta, Oyo, Imo, Lagos and Ogun that formed the Atlantic Conference were all set to slug it out at the championship.
He said the championship would take place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta, between April 30 and May 4.
“The wheelchair basketball enthusiasts across Nigeria are gearing up for an action-packed tournament.
“With months of preparation and rigorous training, the athletes are ready to showcase their skills, determination and sportsmanship in what promises to be an exciting and competitive event,” he said.
Johnson highlighted the significance of promoting wheelchair basketball in the country, noting that it would create a platform for athletes with disabilities to participate in high-level sporting competitions
He said, “The Atlantic Conference is going to be one of the toughest wheelchair basketball leagues because the best teams in the country will be storming Asaba for the encounter.
“Wheelchair Basketball is becoming one of the fastest growing sports in Nigeria and every special athlete wants to play the game.
“The target of the federation is to play at the highest level which is the World Championship, and I believe it is going to become a reality.
“I am appealing to sports philanthropists in the various states to support their teams in participating in the league in order to have a successful Atlantic Conference,” Johnson said.
Asaba to host Wheelchair Basketball Atlantic Conference League
Super Falcons ex-goalkeeper, Bidemi Aluko-Olaseni, dies after cancer battle
Former Super Falcons goalkeeper, Bidemi Aluko-Olaseni, has passed away after battling with breast cancer for eight years.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the sad news on their X handle on Saturday.
“We are sad to hear of the passing of former
Super Falcons goal keeper, Bidemi Aluko-Olaseni after an eight-year battle with cancer,” the NFF wrote.
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“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May her gentle soul rest in peace.”
Aluko was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2017 and was given the all-clear a year later after undergoing treatment and a mastectomy.
However, she was again diagnosed with the disease in January 2019 and underwent 10 chemotherapy sessions.
Super Falcons ex-goalkeeper, Bidemi Aluko-Olaseni, dies after cancer battle
Ronaldo ban from playing one game
Saudi Arabia’s football governing body on Thursday suspended Cristiano Ronaldo for one game over a gesture he made on the pitch last weekend that was judged a “provocation”.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation said the Al-Nassr captain and former Porto star was also fined a total of 30,000 riyals ($8,000) for the move, which broke rules against provoking the public during a match.
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The decision cannot be appealed.
Video emerged after his side’s 3-2 win against Al-Shabab showing Ronaldo making a repeated thrusting gesture towards his groin in response to crowds taunting him by chanting the name of his longtime rival, Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo ban from playing one game
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