The second ever World Table Tennis Day, hosted by the
International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) will be held Wednesday 6
April 2016.
The World
Table Tennis Day is a celebration of the joy to play Table Tennis for fun,
bringing people together where the focus is less on the competition and
more on participation and fun.
Every year
on April 6, table tennis fans around the world will show that Table Tennis
is a sport for all and for everyone, everywhere.
On the
launch of World Table Tennis Day, ITTF Development Director Leandro OLVECH
stated: "We are very excited about the second World Table Tennis Day.
Events can be big or small, the most important thing is to celebrate and
share the passion for table tennis, having fun and bringing people
together."
Together
with the National Associations around the world, there are currently 91
different events in 48 across all continents, which aims to have over 1000
participants on 6 April to celebrate World Table Tennis Day.
Activities
range from table tennis being played for 24 hours in Ottobrun, Germany and
an underwater tournament in Senigalli, Italy, plus many more exciting
table tennis parties across the globe.
The reason
behind World Table Tennis day being on 6 April, is because that day was
established by the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee
as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
ITTF
President Thomas WEIKERT was equally excited about World Table Tennis Day:
"The idea behind this day is to gather Table Tennis enthusiasts, attract
people who usually don't play table tennis, promote the love for our
sport, and ideally engage new players to the practice in the long term. I
can't wait for the entire world to play table tennis on 6
April."
Thursday, March 31, 2016
WORLD RUGBY
World Rugby, its regional
associations and unions have been leading the tributes to Bernard
Lapasset, who today confirmed that he will not be seeking re-election as
Chairman of the international federation in May.
Lapasset, who is stepping down to concentrate on his role as co-chairman of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games bid committee, will be remembered as a visionary during two terms as chairman that have seen rugby firmly establish itself as a global sport with record participation, audience and commercial growth, record-breaking Rugby World Cups, rugby sevens Olympic Games inclusion, a new brand and identity and governance reform.
Lapasset informed his World Rugby Executive Committee colleagues in Dublin this morning, saying: “After careful consideration I have taken the decision not to seek a further term of office as Chairman of World Rugby. I feel that this is the right time for me to complete my current term and pass on the ball to one of my superb colleagues.
"Rugby has never been healthier and I am so proud of what we have achieved in growing the game around the globe, securing rugby sevens on the Olympic programme, staging wonderful tournaments, including Rugby World Cup 2015, taking the women's game to new levels and properly addressing key issues such as governance and player welfare.
"I am proud of my time at the helm of World Rugby and excited by what lies ahead for our sport, including the debut of rugby sevens at Rio 2016.
"On a personal note I want to say a big thank you to all those who contribute so much to keep the game so alive and well and particularly to all my colleagues who serve World Rugby in many different ways and at every level of the game. I will stay in touch.
"My decision will allow me to stay connected to the game I love while now devoting more time to my role as co-chairman of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid. We are now entering into the heart of the campaign and nothing would give me greater pleasure than bringing the Games back to Paris for a real centenary celebration of Olympism in 2024. I hope to have the honour of being part of a successful bid from my home country, something that would be so special for me personally and for the people of France.”
World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper led the tributes: “Bernard Lapasset is a wonderful ambassador for our sport, a great leader and a true visionary, who has presided over unparalleled growth and success in our sport.
“Throughout his tenure, his passion and dedication has always been evident and he has always been a beacon for transparency, inclusivity and a champion of rugby’s character-building values. He should be proud of where the sport is today and what World Rugby, its unions and the sport has achieved during his chairmanship.
“I know that I speak on behalf of the global rugby family when I thank him for his immense contribution and wish him all the very best when he begins a new and exciting chapter in his remarkable sporting life later this year.”
In accordance with World Rugby Bye-Law 9.6.2 (c), member unions are invited to submit nominations for the position of World Rugby Chairman and/or Vice-Chairman by the closing date of 12 March, 2016.
In line with the electoral process set out under the Bye-Law, a candidate must be proposed and seconded by a member of Council and achieve a simple majority of the votes held by the members of Council present. The vote numbers will be published.
ACHIEVEMENTS
1991 – Elected FFR President
1995 – Chairman of IRB for historic Rugby World Cup 1995 in South Africa
2006 – Order of Merit of New Zealand
2007 – Chairman of the Organising Committee of Rugby World Cup 2007
2007 – Elected Chairman of IRB following record breaking Rugby World Cup
2007 – Awarded officier de la Legion d’honneur
2009 – Led IRB’s successful bid for Rugby Sevens’ Olympic Games inclusion
2009 – Awarding Rugby World Cup 2015 to England and 2019 to Japan, the first Rugby World Cup in Asia
2009 – First Rugby World Cup Sevens to include a women's competition
2010 – Visionary IRB strategic plan launched, a blueprint for growing the global rugby family
2010 – Ten-year tours and test schedule launched
2010 – Facilitating Argentina’s inclusion in The Rugby Championship
2010 – Record-breaking Women's Rugby World Cup in England
2011 – Record-breaking Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and re-elected as IRB Chairman
2011 – Women’s Strategic Plan launched
2013 – Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 in Moscow
2014 – Record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 delivered in France
2014 – IRB rebranded as World Rugby with dynamic new identity
2015 – New World Rugby Sevens Series cycle launched with record commercial values
2015 – Record-breaking RWC 2015 and wide-ranging governance reform launched
2015 – Awarded Commandeur de la Légion d’honneur
2016 – Record participation growth sees 7.73 million participants in rugby worldwide
Lapasset, who is stepping down to concentrate on his role as co-chairman of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games bid committee, will be remembered as a visionary during two terms as chairman that have seen rugby firmly establish itself as a global sport with record participation, audience and commercial growth, record-breaking Rugby World Cups, rugby sevens Olympic Games inclusion, a new brand and identity and governance reform.
Lapasset informed his World Rugby Executive Committee colleagues in Dublin this morning, saying: “After careful consideration I have taken the decision not to seek a further term of office as Chairman of World Rugby. I feel that this is the right time for me to complete my current term and pass on the ball to one of my superb colleagues.
"Rugby has never been healthier and I am so proud of what we have achieved in growing the game around the globe, securing rugby sevens on the Olympic programme, staging wonderful tournaments, including Rugby World Cup 2015, taking the women's game to new levels and properly addressing key issues such as governance and player welfare.
"I am proud of my time at the helm of World Rugby and excited by what lies ahead for our sport, including the debut of rugby sevens at Rio 2016.
"On a personal note I want to say a big thank you to all those who contribute so much to keep the game so alive and well and particularly to all my colleagues who serve World Rugby in many different ways and at every level of the game. I will stay in touch.
"My decision will allow me to stay connected to the game I love while now devoting more time to my role as co-chairman of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid. We are now entering into the heart of the campaign and nothing would give me greater pleasure than bringing the Games back to Paris for a real centenary celebration of Olympism in 2024. I hope to have the honour of being part of a successful bid from my home country, something that would be so special for me personally and for the people of France.”
World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper led the tributes: “Bernard Lapasset is a wonderful ambassador for our sport, a great leader and a true visionary, who has presided over unparalleled growth and success in our sport.
“Throughout his tenure, his passion and dedication has always been evident and he has always been a beacon for transparency, inclusivity and a champion of rugby’s character-building values. He should be proud of where the sport is today and what World Rugby, its unions and the sport has achieved during his chairmanship.
“I know that I speak on behalf of the global rugby family when I thank him for his immense contribution and wish him all the very best when he begins a new and exciting chapter in his remarkable sporting life later this year.”
In accordance with World Rugby Bye-Law 9.6.2 (c), member unions are invited to submit nominations for the position of World Rugby Chairman and/or Vice-Chairman by the closing date of 12 March, 2016.
In line with the electoral process set out under the Bye-Law, a candidate must be proposed and seconded by a member of Council and achieve a simple majority of the votes held by the members of Council present. The vote numbers will be published.
ACHIEVEMENTS
1991 – Elected FFR President
1995 – Chairman of IRB for historic Rugby World Cup 1995 in South Africa
2006 – Order of Merit of New Zealand
2007 – Chairman of the Organising Committee of Rugby World Cup 2007
2007 – Elected Chairman of IRB following record breaking Rugby World Cup
2007 – Awarded officier de la Legion d’honneur
2009 – Led IRB’s successful bid for Rugby Sevens’ Olympic Games inclusion
2009 – Awarding Rugby World Cup 2015 to England and 2019 to Japan, the first Rugby World Cup in Asia
2009 – First Rugby World Cup Sevens to include a women's competition
2010 – Visionary IRB strategic plan launched, a blueprint for growing the global rugby family
2010 – Ten-year tours and test schedule launched
2010 – Facilitating Argentina’s inclusion in The Rugby Championship
2010 – Record-breaking Women's Rugby World Cup in England
2011 – Record-breaking Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and re-elected as IRB Chairman
2011 – Women’s Strategic Plan launched
2013 – Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 in Moscow
2014 – Record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 delivered in France
2014 – IRB rebranded as World Rugby with dynamic new identity
2015 – New World Rugby Sevens Series cycle launched with record commercial values
2015 – Record-breaking RWC 2015 and wide-ranging governance reform launched
2015 – Awarded Commandeur de la Légion d’honneur
2016 – Record participation growth sees 7.73 million participants in rugby worldwide
NORTH WEST TAEKWANDO
The 85 athletes drawn from the North West zone of the country that
featured in the three-day taekwondo training organized by Chika
Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) have been yearning for more of
such exercise in the region.
The 85 participants were drawn from Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara took part in the CCSF “Inspire the Zones [North West]” programme held at the Kebbi State Taekwondo Dojang, in Birnin Kebbi on March 24 to 26.
Among the objectives of the programme, hosted and sponsored by the Kebbi State Taekwondo Chairman and a Board Member of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Abdullahi Saidu, was to inspire and empower athletes and coaches in the region through a practical education in specific training and coaching techniques, tactics and methodologies.
The intensive 3-day program involved referee training for athletes, physical training, taekwondo forms basics, competitive training and technical-tactical training. There was also a taekwondo-specific coaching seminar for coaches from Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.
It was attended by the Kebbi State Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Director of Sports, Four Board Members of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, 76 athletes and 9 coaches from Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamafara and Niger State.
Resource persons for the programme included 3-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije; International Certified Coach and 2-time National Champion, Sani Lawal; and Commonwealth Champion, Jamilu Mohammed.
For Kebbi-state athlete, 21-old-year Micah Peters, the program was very educative. “We really enjoyed the program because we were exposed to the competition rules and regulations, what we are supposed to do or not do in the ring. We hope that this kind of program can be done regularly because we benefited so much from it”
For Yakubu Danbauchi, one of the participants in the coaching program. “The program was excellent. We have been organizing workshops but this is the best so far. We were exposed to equipment and training program we did not know existed”
The Permanent-Secretary of Kebbi State Government, Garba Hussaini Mungadi, was thrilled with the exercise, and pledged that Taekwondo will be one of the important sports to be supported by the state government. “The attendance was very impressive and I was particularly happy about this. The program was well celebrated and accepted by all, and we will support the sport.”
For the Kebbi State Director of Sports, Usman Ladan, the program would help develop champions.
“It was a really good program that was interesting and commendable. The caliber of resources person was high and every participant is going home happy. Hopefully, this will be a turning point for Taekwondo, not only in Kebbi State, but in the region.”
For African Champion, Jamilu Mohammed who was a resource person for the event, it was an opportunity to give back to the taekwondo sporting community. “I was very happy to come here and share my wealth of knowledge and experience with the upcoming players. The kind of technical training they received will go a long way in producing quality national players a couple of years from now”
For NTF Board Member representing North East, “The program had a unique impact on my zone and I am sure that the athletes in this zone similarly went home with a lot of knowledge about taekwondo”
Chairman of Kebbi State Taekwondo and Program Host, Abdullahi Saidu was equally pleased with the program. The 3-days of rigorous training for fitness, referee training and competitive training was a success. As most of the participants are newbies, the knowledge went a long way enhancing capacity building for coaches and athletes on the modern-day methodology and techniques. Overall, it was a success.”
He promised more competitive events and workshops for the region
“It is not enough to have one workshop. We will organize more programs like this to sustain the development in the region”
Three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije, was full of commendation for the training facility. “It is amazing that one person built the training dojang and equipped most of the players from the state. Now the athletes can train all day and all year. If many more individuals put in this kind of investment across different state in Nigeria, the sport will not lack quality continuity”
The 85 participants were drawn from Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara took part in the CCSF “Inspire the Zones [North West]” programme held at the Kebbi State Taekwondo Dojang, in Birnin Kebbi on March 24 to 26.
Among the objectives of the programme, hosted and sponsored by the Kebbi State Taekwondo Chairman and a Board Member of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Abdullahi Saidu, was to inspire and empower athletes and coaches in the region through a practical education in specific training and coaching techniques, tactics and methodologies.
The intensive 3-day program involved referee training for athletes, physical training, taekwondo forms basics, competitive training and technical-tactical training. There was also a taekwondo-specific coaching seminar for coaches from Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.
It was attended by the Kebbi State Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Director of Sports, Four Board Members of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, 76 athletes and 9 coaches from Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamafara and Niger State.
Resource persons for the programme included 3-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije; International Certified Coach and 2-time National Champion, Sani Lawal; and Commonwealth Champion, Jamilu Mohammed.
For Kebbi-state athlete, 21-old-year Micah Peters, the program was very educative. “We really enjoyed the program because we were exposed to the competition rules and regulations, what we are supposed to do or not do in the ring. We hope that this kind of program can be done regularly because we benefited so much from it”
For Yakubu Danbauchi, one of the participants in the coaching program. “The program was excellent. We have been organizing workshops but this is the best so far. We were exposed to equipment and training program we did not know existed”
The Permanent-Secretary of Kebbi State Government, Garba Hussaini Mungadi, was thrilled with the exercise, and pledged that Taekwondo will be one of the important sports to be supported by the state government. “The attendance was very impressive and I was particularly happy about this. The program was well celebrated and accepted by all, and we will support the sport.”
For the Kebbi State Director of Sports, Usman Ladan, the program would help develop champions.
“It was a really good program that was interesting and commendable. The caliber of resources person was high and every participant is going home happy. Hopefully, this will be a turning point for Taekwondo, not only in Kebbi State, but in the region.”
For African Champion, Jamilu Mohammed who was a resource person for the event, it was an opportunity to give back to the taekwondo sporting community. “I was very happy to come here and share my wealth of knowledge and experience with the upcoming players. The kind of technical training they received will go a long way in producing quality national players a couple of years from now”
For NTF Board Member representing North East, “The program had a unique impact on my zone and I am sure that the athletes in this zone similarly went home with a lot of knowledge about taekwondo”
Chairman of Kebbi State Taekwondo and Program Host, Abdullahi Saidu was equally pleased with the program. The 3-days of rigorous training for fitness, referee training and competitive training was a success. As most of the participants are newbies, the knowledge went a long way enhancing capacity building for coaches and athletes on the modern-day methodology and techniques. Overall, it was a success.”
He promised more competitive events and workshops for the region
“It is not enough to have one workshop. We will organize more programs like this to sustain the development in the region”
Three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije, was full of commendation for the training facility. “It is amazing that one person built the training dojang and equipped most of the players from the state. Now the athletes can train all day and all year. If many more individuals put in this kind of investment across different state in Nigeria, the sport will not lack quality continuity”
U 15 TABLE TENNIS
Hundred
of players across and within the country have arrived Lagos for the 2016 ITTF
World Tour tagged Nigerian Open which serves off on Saturday April 2 and ends
on Sunday April 3 at the National Training Centre of National Stadium, Lagos.
Some of the players were in Lagos to support their counterparts participating in the ongoing Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) U-16 national league.
Te two-day tournament will produce eight players made up of four men and four women that will join others in the main ITTF World Tour which holds on May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
The Secretary General of NTTF, Chinedu Ezeala-Ogundare said they have been overwhelmed with the number of players registering for the tournament, adding that it promises to be exciting considering the presence of some foreign-based players who are willing to be part of the tournament.
According to the prospectus of the qualifiers, “the tournament shall be used to select players to represent Nigeria in the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles at the World Tour Nigeria Open scheduled for May 18-22, 2016. Only the four highest ITTF ranked Nigerian players in the April 2016 world ranking in both events shall qualify automatically to represent Nigeria. All players not qualifying automatically but who wish to represent Nigeria are therefore advised to play in the qualifying tournament.”
To be eligible for the qualifiers, only players registered by states which are affiliated to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) or foreign based Nigerian players are eligible to participate. All players shall hold the current NTTF Player’s License, which must be produced on demand.
It stated further, “All intending players shall signify their intention to play by registering with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation with a copy to the Referee. The Organizers may disqualify a player if information supplied is found to be false.
“All players shall abide by the Rules and Regulations of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and the International Table Tennis Federation, particularly as regards fair play. All players shall not, by their action or inaction, bring the sport into disrepute. All players shall strive to win all matches, no matter who their opponent is.”
For the qualifiers format, the registered players shall be drawn into pools and matches will be played in a groups Round Robin, with qualifiers from each group advancing into second round in both events, while matches in round one round robin shall be best of five games, while matches in round two shall be best of seven games and shall be played on knock-out basis.
Some of the players were in Lagos to support their counterparts participating in the ongoing Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) U-16 national league.
Te two-day tournament will produce eight players made up of four men and four women that will join others in the main ITTF World Tour which holds on May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
The Secretary General of NTTF, Chinedu Ezeala-Ogundare said they have been overwhelmed with the number of players registering for the tournament, adding that it promises to be exciting considering the presence of some foreign-based players who are willing to be part of the tournament.
According to the prospectus of the qualifiers, “the tournament shall be used to select players to represent Nigeria in the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles at the World Tour Nigeria Open scheduled for May 18-22, 2016. Only the four highest ITTF ranked Nigerian players in the April 2016 world ranking in both events shall qualify automatically to represent Nigeria. All players not qualifying automatically but who wish to represent Nigeria are therefore advised to play in the qualifying tournament.”
To be eligible for the qualifiers, only players registered by states which are affiliated to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) or foreign based Nigerian players are eligible to participate. All players shall hold the current NTTF Player’s License, which must be produced on demand.
It stated further, “All intending players shall signify their intention to play by registering with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation with a copy to the Referee. The Organizers may disqualify a player if information supplied is found to be false.
“All players shall abide by the Rules and Regulations of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and the International Table Tennis Federation, particularly as regards fair play. All players shall not, by their action or inaction, bring the sport into disrepute. All players shall strive to win all matches, no matter who their opponent is.”
For the qualifiers format, the registered players shall be drawn into pools and matches will be played in a groups Round Robin, with qualifiers from each group advancing into second round in both events, while matches in round one round robin shall be best of five games, while matches in round two shall be best of seven games and shall be played on knock-out basis.
HOOPERS CALLS FOR SUPPORT
Rivers Hoopers head coach, Ogoh Odaudu has made a passionate call on Rivers fans to come cheer the team to victory this weekend.
The
Port Harcourt side will play host to Delta Force of Asaba on Friday and
Saturday at 4pm daily in a Week 3 match of the 2016 DSTV Basketball
League season.
Odaudu urged fans to come out and roar them on to victory.
“Our
fans have been very supportive of us. They have always turned up every
time we have a game even when we were not doing too well, they had our
back. We are a lot better team than we were last two seasons in the
league so I urge them to come out and watch top flight basketball
again,“ Odaudu admonished.
“Rivers Hoopers is back and Rivers Hoopers is back to stay so they should please come out and support us.“ he pleaded further.
Meanwhile,
Hoopers new recruit, Victor James also wants to feel the support from
the home fans and has promised to give his best when they play host to
Delta Force.
“Delta
Force is a very competitive team and I can see my team is also equal to
the task, seriously they are, so when we get over there it is going to
be a good match-up and I’m going to give them my all, “James promised.
“I
just want to tell them to come all out and have fun, come and enjoy the
game, basketball is all about fun, they should make sure they come and
enjoy the game. But I promise them, they will really be proud of us.”
said James.
Head to Head
Rivers
Hoopers have met Delta Force 8 times in the DSTV Basketball League.
Hoopers have won 7 of the games while Delta Force have won one which was
way back in 2010 at the Civic Centre Port Harcourt.
Remember
you can follow us for more updates on twitter @RiversHoopers, instagram
@Rivers Hoopers and on facebook, Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club.
R I P
The Nigeria Tennis Federation has expressed deep regret following
the death of its board member, Prof. (Mrs.) Philomena Ikulayo who passed on March
24, 2016 after a brief illness in Lagos.
NTF President, Sani Ndanusa described the deceased as a
great lover of tennis whose contribution to the game in Nigeria cannot be
overlooked.
“She is a great woman who is revered in the academic field
and her contribution to tennis in Nigeria is quite significant. She brought
lots of ideas to the board of the NTF which helped in the uplifting of tennis
in Nigeria.
“I have known and familiarized with her for more than a
decade and I can say she is a great woman. I pray that her soul rest in peace,”
Ndanusa said.
In his own tribute, Yemi Owoseni, the 1st Vice
President of the NTF lamented the exit of Prof. Ikulayo while extolling her
virtues. “She is a very pleasant woman;
a sports woman who is very amiable. She is a lover of children, she loves
sports and she equally loves Nigeria. May her soul rest in peace.”
Owoseni added that part of the deceased legacy in the academic
and sporting field culminated in her getting a merit award from the Ekiti State
government in October 2014.
The late Ikulayo was born on June 2nd 1948 in
Ikoro-Ekiti. She is a professor in Education/ Human Kinetic & Health
Education in the University of Lagos.
A barrister at Law, she is credited to have co-authored 173 publications
and she had at several times deliver papers at events organized by the Sports Ministry in Nigeria.