Sports – KMAUPDATES

Jul312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

SPORTS: Sergio Perez tests positive for Covid-19

Racing Point's Sergio Perez has tested positive for coronavirus and will miss this weekend's British Grand Prix. The Mexican is the first Formula 1 driver to test positive since the 2020 season made a belated start in Austria this month. Perez has gone into self-quarantine, along with all his close contacts, as per F1's track-and-trace system. A statement from governing body the FIA said "procedures… have provided for swift containment". The statement adds that Perez's positive test "will have no wider impact on this weekend's event". Racing Point said Perez was "physically well and in good spirits, but he will continue to self-isolate under the guidelines of the relevant public health authorities, with safety the ultimate priority for the team and the sport". The team s...

Jul302020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

SPORTS: Ronaldo blow in golden shoe hunt

Soccer, Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo's hopes of finishing as Europe's top scorer were dealt a blow as he failed to score as champions Juventus were beaten by Cagliari. Ronaldo has scored an incredible 31 Serie A goals this season but found himself frustrated on Wednesday night. Luca Gagliano's close-range finish and Giovanni Simeone's powerful drive secured the win for the hosts. Ronaldo trails Lazio striker Ciro Immobile by four goals in the battle for Europe's Golden Shoe. Immobile scored his 35th goal of the season as Lazio beat Brescia 2-0 on Wednesday. With one game of the Serie A season remaining, Immobile is the outright leading scorer in Europe as his latest strike moved him ahead of Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski, who finished the Bundesliga season with 34 goals. Immobile is a...

Jul302020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Antetokounmpo, Dončić, Embiid, Gobert, Jokić, Sabonis, Siakam Aand Simmons headline Global Reach of 2019-20 NBA Season Restart

Sports

NEW YORK, United States of America, July 30, 2020/ -- 22 Teams Participating in Season Restart Feature 89 International Players from 34 Countries and Territories; all 22 Teams Feature At Least One International Player; 12 African-Born Players on Season Restart Rosters; 88 Seeding Games Include 41 Primetime Games in Latin America and 40 Primetime Games in Europe, the Middle East and AfricaThe 2019-20 NBA season restart (https://on.nba.com/2X8BGQX) will reach fans in 215 countries and territories in 47 languages on their televisions, computers, mobile phones and tablets, highlighting a whole new game with a more connected and immersive experience for fans. This includes the 88 “seeding games” beginning July 30 as well as behind-the-scenes coverage and interviews from ESPN Wide Wo...

Jul302020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Africa: Bureau of the FIFA Council approves FIFA COVID‑19 Relief Plan regulations

Sports

ZURICH, Switzerland, July 30, 2020/ -- USD 1.5 billion available to football community, including men’s and women’s professional, youth and grassroots football, through a system of combined grants and loans under strict compliance requirements - Each member association to benefit from USD 1 million grant to protect and restart football, and an additional USD 500,000 specifically for women’s football during the third phase - Interest-free loans of up to USD 5 million available to member associationsFIFA’s groundbreaking COVID‑19 Relief Plan reached a major milestone as the Bureau of the FIFA Council approved the plan’s regulations. Under the terms of the COVID-19 Relief Plan, USD 1.5 billion is being made available to support all 211 FIFA member associations and the six confederations ...

Jul292020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

SPORTS: Plans revised for HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2021

RUGBY, Sports

DUBLIN, Ireland, July 29, 2020/ -- Working group formed to review schedule for a safe, secure and impactful return to action; Combined events in Dubai and Cape Town will not take place in 2021 Series; Health and wellbeing of the rugby community and the wider public remains top priority; New Zealand were awarded men’s and women’s titles as 2020 Series concluded – read here (https://bit.ly/3hORgJc).Following the recently announced conclusion of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with New Zealand confirmed as both men’s and women’s champions, World Rugby and its partners are continuing to focus on planning for the 2021 Series and the build-up to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, which are now less than one year away.After a comprehensive consultation process and ...

Jul292020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

SPORTS: Exciting Finish As 2020 Nigerian Freestyle Football Champions Emerge in Virtual Freestyle UNLOCKED Games

Nigeria, Sports

LAGOS, Nigeria, July 28, 2020/ -- This year’s Nigerian Freestyle Football Championship came to an exciting finish on Saturday, July 25, 2020 with Benjamin Ebong, and Augustina Unamba, both reigning champions, emerging as the winners of the keenly contested games, which held online.Feet ‘N’ Tricks International (www.FeetAndTricks.com), the largest promoter of Freestyle Football in Africa, hosted the games as part of the on-going Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020, which is the virtual version of the annual African Freestyle Football Championship.The finals of the virtual games streamed live on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram with eight athletes contesting to be the Nigerian freestyle football champion.While speaking at the opening ceremony of the championship, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, the chairma...

Jul282020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Premier League: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp named LMA manager of the year after historic season

Soccer, Sports

Jurgen Klopp has been named the League Managers' Association (LMA) manager of the year on Monday. Klopp was presented with the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy after being voted for by the full LMA membership. After being presented with the trophy, Klopp said it feels extra special to win the award since he was voted for by his fellow managers. Klopp further said that everything that Liverpool accomplished this year could not have been done without the "superb input" of coaching staff. "They make us a really special bunch of football brains. I love to work with my coaches, my players and everyone at LFC and, of course, I am thankful for the support from all our wonderful Liverpool fans,” Klopp said. Liverpool FC tweeted a video of Klopp where he said, "I have to say ‘th...

Jul272020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

SPORTS: Who stayed and Who is out as the English Premier League Season comes to an end.

Soccer, Sports

Chelsea confirmed they will play in the lucrative Champions League next season after a 2-0 over Wolves meant they finished fourth. Manchester United joins them in European football’s premier competition after winning 2-0 at Leicester City, who finish fifth, despite spending much of the season in the top four. Leicester will play in next season’s Europa League along with Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves, who finished sixth and seventh respectively. Watford, Bournemouth and Norwich City lost the fight to retain their place at the top table and were relegated to the Championship on a dramatic final day of the season. The three relegated clubs will be replaced by three teams from the Championship. Leeds United were the first promoted team, followed by West Brom. They will be joined...

Jul232020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Feet ‘N’ Tricks International Extends Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020; Announces New Dates For Finals

Sports

LAGOS, Nigeria, July 23, 2020/ -- Feet ‘N’ Tricks International (www.FeetAndTricks.com), the organisers of the Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020 has announced that it would be extending its on-going virtual freestyle football championship. Valentine Ozigbo, the Chairman of Feet ‘N’ Tricks International, in a press statement on Friday, July 17, 2020 revealed that there would be a Nigerian Championships for the competition which was originally slated to close on Sunday, July 19, 2020. Valentine Ozigbo, the Chairman of Feet 'N' Tricks International, pictured during a press briefing in Victoria Island, Lagos in June 2020. “We are impressed with the intensity of engagement with our platform by freestylers across the continent,” Mr. Ozigbo said. “We have received entries for the competit...

Jul232020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Africa: Commonwealth to unveil ‘4D strategy’ on reviving sport at ministerial forum

Sports

LONDON, United Kingdom, July 23, 2020/ -- A four-dimensional strategy will be unveiled at a major ministerial forum today, to help governments sustain the sport sector ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commonwealth Secretariat’s ‘Data, Digital, Diversify and anti-Discrimination’ strategy will help the sector adapt to the new normal and continue contributing to health and wellbeing, community spirit and economic growth.The sport industry is expected to experience a recession several times worse than the average sector of any economy, according to a new Commonwealth supported study. Thousands of jobs, livelihoods and social benefits could be at risk.The ‘data’ pillar provides critical research on COVID-19’s impact on the sport sector to help countries monitor and better target respon...

Jul222020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

NBA announces Team Rosters for Season Restart

Sports

NEW YORK, United States of America, July 22, 2020 -- The NBA (www.NBA.com) yesterday announced the restart rosters for the 22 teamsparticipating in the resumption of the 2019-20 season at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Each team’s roster as of today is attached. Download Restart Rosters document: https://bit.ly/3hfIF22 The only players eligible to participate in the remainder of the season are those listed in the attached rosters or those who are signed later as substitute players in accordance with NBA rules. The 2019-20 NBA season will resume on Thursday, July 30. From July 22-28, each participating team will play three intersquad scrimmages in final preparation for the season restart.

Jul212020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

SA Parliament mourns the passing of a renowned rugby commentator

Sports

Cape Town, Parliament, 21 July 2020 – The Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture has learnt with shock the passing of rugby commentator and former South African Schools rugby captain, Mr Kaunda Ntunja. The committee is saddened by the news and sends condolences to the family and relatives, colleagues at SuperSport and the rugby community at large. “Zizi, as he was affectionately known, lived for rugby and was such an entertaining isiXhosa commentator who, without a doubt, attracted the interest of many South Africans into the game. His passing is such a loss." “The depth of his understanding of the rugby game was so deep and often reflected in his analytical commentary. Rugby is poorer without Kaunda.” Mr Ntunja’s passing in East London was reported on Monday and has ...

Jul212020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU), Rugby Africa Partner to Provide Quality Assurance Training for Educators and Trainers

Sports

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 21, 2020/ -- Monday 13 July 2020 saw the Kenya Rugby Union (https://www.KRU.co.ke/) organize a Workforce Continuing Professional Development webinar for its trainers and educators. This Workforce CPD webinar was facilitated by Rugby Africa's Regional Training Manager for Africa Denver Wannies and Johnbosco Muamba, Rugby Regional Development Manager at the same organization. Commenting on the webinar which attracted a total of 9 participants, Wannies said, "It is important to understand the importance of having compliant educators and trainers that role out training and education in the union. Going forward there will be focus on good quality educators and trainers and this CPD webinar was aiming at doing that. The educators and trainer who delivered here wi...

Jul202020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

WWE: Rey Mysterio ‘loses an eye’ during match against Seth Rollins

Sports

Fans of pro wrestling are used to wacky gimmicks such as "Dog Collar match" or "casket match," but a gimmick for Sunday's latest WWE pay-per-view, "Extreme Rules: Horror Show" was one for the books: "Eye for an Eye match." The match, pitting Rey Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins was billed as ending only when one competitor successfully pulled out the other competitor's eye. And, since a gimmick match is usually used to increase interest in a PPV, it worked, as a lot of fans were wondering how they were going to successfully pull this off. We'll see soon whether it caused more people to order WWE network and watch the match, which is the ultimate goal. On Sunday, Rollins defeated Mysterio when he used the corner of the ring steps to pop Mysterio's right eye out of its socket. Now, relax Mys...

Jul192020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Puma RFC receives donations of equipment for prevention of COVID-19 Pandemic

Sports

KIGALI, Rwanda, July 19, 2020 --The Puma RFC team based in Rukoma Sector in Kamonyi District, on July 15, 2020 received the support from Rwanda Rugby Federation (RwandaRugby.com) through Rugby Africa Solidarity funds. These equipments to fight against Coronavirus includes instrument to test temperature, disinfectants, face mask and hand sanitizer. In addition to these hygiene products, Rwanda Rugby Federation has also provided food assistance to 10 affected by COVID-19 including maize flour, rice and beans. Harerimana Prosper, Vice President of the Puma RFC thanked the RRF management for the support as it is going to help the club and players to deal with the effect of covid-19. He pointed out that one of their concerns was to get the basic equipment to fight against covid-19 as spo...

Jul182020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

NTT Pro Cycling in yellow on Mandela Day

Sports

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 18, 2020/ -- Louis Meintjes to don yellow jersey on queen stage of Virtual Tour de France; Team members to join Laureus Sport for Good on two 67-minute Zwift rides to celebrate Mandela Day; Funds and awareness raised for the Sport for Good Response Fund. NTT Pro Cycling (www.NTTProCycling.com) will celebrate Mandela Day (18 July) in truly unique fashion as the holders of the yellow jersey going into the penultimate stage of the first-ever Virtual Tour de France. In Saturday’s fifth stage, South Africa’s Louis Meintjes will wear the yellow jersey (maillot jaune), with the iconic Mont Ventoux summit finish set to provide the fireworks, ahead of Sunday’s final that finishes on the Champs-Élysées. He’ll be joined by Stefan de Bod, Domenico Poz...

Jul182020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Eight teams will resume training with a view to competing in domestic competitions that are being modelled by SA Rugby and member unions

Sports

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 18, 2020/ -- SA Rugby (https://www.SARugby.co.za/) announced on Friday that professional rugby teams would return to non-contact training from Monday. The confirmation followed several weeks of preparation and consultation with government and all provincial unions to ensure compliance with regulation and to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection. Eight teams will resume training with a view to competing in domestic competitions that are being modelled by SA Rugby and member unions to be accommodated into the remainder of the year. The eight teams are: the Vodacom Bulls, Emirates Lions, Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers, Southern Kings, Toyota Cheetahs, Tafel Lager Griquas and Phakisa Pumas. Due to the economic impact of the pandemic on the sport, the rema...

Jul172020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

NBA and Smart TV Platform VIDAA Announce Multiyear Partnership

Sports

NEW YORK, United States of America, July 17, 2020/ -- The National Basketball Association (NBA) (www.NBA.com) and VIDAA USA, Inc. today announced a multiyear partnership to make NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service, available for purchase on all Hisense and Toshiba TVs through the VIDAA smart TV platform. Beginning with the 2020-21 NBA season, more than 20 million users of VIDAA-enabled smart TVs across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East will be able to purchase NBA League Pass and watch hundreds of live NBA games each season through the VIDAA platform. “I am proud that we teamed up with the NBA since it is one of the most popular leagues in the world,” said Guy Edri, EVP of Business Development for VIDAA platform. ...

Jul172020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Five-Star Recruit Jonathan Kuminga signs with NBA G League

Sports

NEW YORK, United States of America, July 17, 2020/ -- Forward Jonathan Kuminga, a top high school basketball recruit, has signed to play in the NBA G League (https://GLeague.nba.com) next season, it was announced today by NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Kuminga is ranked by ESPN as the No. 4 player in the nation and the top player in New Jersey in the Class of 2020. A native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuminga played at The Patrick School in Hillside, New Jersey, last season after previously attending Huntington Prep School in West Virginia and Our Savior New American School in New York. The NBA G League gives top young prospects a chance to begin their professional careers while receiving mentorship and life skills training. Kuminga will have t...

Jul162020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

British & Irish Lions 2021 tour of South Africa to go ahead as scheduled

Sports

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 16, 2020/ -- SA Rugby (https://www.SARugby.co.za/) and the British & Irish Lions confirmed on Wednesday the 2021 tour to South Africa will go ahead as scheduled.The eagerly awaited series visits some of the most impressive stadiums in world sport and culminates in three Test matches against the newly crowned Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks.The eight-game tour kicks off on Saturday 3 July 2021 when the Lions play Vodacom Super Rugby’s DHL Stormers in Cape Town.Three weeks later the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg will host the first Test – a venue which last hosted the Springboks in 2013.The second Test follows on Saturday 31 July at the Cape Town Stadium – the first Lions Test in the Mother City since 1997 – before the British and Irish tourists ret...