SPORT - The African Mirror

Sep

16

2021

Olympics 2021: Sha’Carri’s case shows doping rules need to change

SPORT

BRENDAN SCHWAB US track and field star Sha’Carri Richardson has received global support after an anti-doping tribunal imposed a one month ban for cannabis use, barring her from Olympic participation. Beyond a simple rule change, her situation demonstrates why deeper reforms are required if the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is to meaningfully incorporate athlete perspectives and enjoy their trust and confidence. In response to submissions from the World Players Association earlier this year about the unjustness of anti-doping rules, WADA made some changes to how it treats ‘substances of abuse’ – which include drugs like cannabis and cocaine. The changes…

Jan

30

2021

By The African Mirror

Tribute to legendary softball star

SPORT

TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY SOFTBALL LEGEND MASHILO MATSETELA THE softball community in South Africa, Africa and the world has lost a softball legend and we are hurting. Today we are reading the footprint of a softball legend. We are not battling to write and or to read Thabo footprints because his softball footprints are very clear. Thabo was a multi award player in his own right. Very unique in stature, that defies the ordinary simplistic view of how a balanced physique of a softball player should be. He had the strength and the power to unleash whatever he wanted to do…

Jan

30

2021

By The African Mirror

Why Cameroon is obsessed with hosting the Afcon

SPORT

DANIEL EKONDE “I think [the] 2022 [Africa Cup of Nations] has the power of taking Cameroonian sport to another level,” says Njie Enow, sports editor at state-owned Cameroon Radio Television. The central African country is desperate to host the continent despite the many challenges it has faced since being given the right to stage the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). They were stripped of that right when they were deemed unprepared, but given the 2021 edition instead. And then the Covid-19 pandemic hit, pushing the men’s continental showpiece to 2022. The country’s readiness to host the Afcon is being…

Sep

14

2021

By The African Mirror

Mixed Martial Arts: EFC Africa 89

SPORT

The stage was for an amazing evening of fighting at the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) performance institute in Johannesburg, South Africa. The EFC provided an evening to remember with 9 electric fights culminating in a show-stopping main event flyweight bout, won by Nkazimulo Zulu, by way of submission. Zulu was able to force opponent Luthando Biko to tap out in the second round of the main event. Unfortunately, Zulu was not able to walk away with the championship belt due to missing the flyweight weigh-in limit. Biko was caught by surprise, being a confident ground operator, by Zulu who is…

Sep

12

2021

By The African Mirror

I am lucky to be alive, says Hamilton after rival’s tyre landed on his head

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO THE rear right wheel of his rival's car landed on the safety Halo, just above his head, and seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who escaped with a headache, knows that he is lucky to be alive. There was drama in Lap 26 of the Monda F1 race when Hamilton and Red Bull's Max Verstappen battled into the tight Variante del Rettifilo. Hamilton had just pitted and Verstappen was making his way to the front after a horrific 11 second pit stop. With none of the drivers prepared to give room, Verstappen car ended on top of Hamilton's…

Sep

11

2021

By The African Mirror

FIBA holds Youth Camp in Kenya

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO UNDER-18 players from 33 African countries gathered in Nairobi, Kenya for the first International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Africa Youth Camp of 2021. The FIBA Africa Youth Camp in Nairobi, the first of three on the African continent, allowed players to gain experience and skills from National Basketball Association (NBA) coaches. The FIBA Africa Youth Camp focused on life skills, focusing on combining basketball and education, leadership, character development, health and wellness. The technical team is led by Don Showalter (USA Basketball), Naoufal Uariachi (FIBA Expert) and other African basketball experts. "As part of FIBA Africa's strategy to make our…

Sep

10

2021

By The African Mirror

How Obama’s backing for NBA Africa venture could boost basketball on the continent

SPORT

FORMER US President Barack Obama’s decision to invest in the National Basketball Association’s Africa venture reflects a lot about his past – his basketball playing youth and his African roots. It also signals that his future ambitions stretch beyond US borders. JOHN NAURIGHT, Dean, Richard J. Bolte, Sr. School of Business, Mount St. Mary's University, Mount Saint Mary College SARAH ZIPP, Lecturer, Faculty of Health Science and Sport, University of Stirling The Basketball Africa League was launched in 2021 as a collaboration between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The inaugural competition consisted of 12…

Jan

25

2021

By The African Mirror

South African rugby franchise partners with Roc Nation

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO TOP South African rugby club - Sharks - have announced a new global partnership with the internationally acclaimed agency Roc Nation. The brand is a global powerhouse in entertainment management and will aim to form a unique and groundbreaking partnership with the South African rugby franchise. Roc Nation have made recent previous investments into the rugby sphere by signing notable names such as Springbok (South African National team) captain Siya Kolisi and reigning French Top 14 Player of the Year, and fellow Springbok, Cheslin Kolbe. https://twitter.com/TheSharksZA/status/1352541613508198401 “Both brands are built on a strong notion of family and entertainment,…

Sep

08

2021

By The African Mirror

Exciting special features in store for LaLiga fans as the new season kicks off

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SPANISH LaLiga kicked off the 2021/2022 campaign celebrating a six-year growing partnership in South Africa. The 2020/2021 season brought a myriad of enthusiasm from football enthusiasts across Africa which brewed over the disrupted 2019/2020 season. Dark horse Atletico Madrid concluded the season as champions - finishing two points ahead of Real Madrid after the 9-and a- half month season. Athletico’s Madrid resilient climb to the top of LaLiga came with a winners medal for defensive midfielder Geoffrey Kongdobia, a native of the Central African Republic. Kondogbia provided a wonderful window into the immersion of talented African footballers atop the…

Sep

08

2021

By The African Mirror

Tunisia reclaim African Basketball crown

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO TUNISIA defeated Cote D'Ivoire 78-75 in the African Basketball Championship (AfroBasket) final in Kigali, Rwanda to be crowned kings of African basketball. The Carthage Eagles (Tunisia’s Senior Men’s team) defended their 2019 AfroBasket crown with glory - finishing the 2021 edition undefeated in six games. The Ivorians equalled their best AfroBasket finish at the 30th edition, since earning silver at the 2009 AfroBasket tournament in Tripoli, Libya. Tunisia's Makram Ben Romdhane was named the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket MVP. In a starring role with the champions, Ramdhoane scored 8 points in the final with a solid 10 rebounds. Cote…