Byline: KEITH MAGARA -SPORTS AFRICA

Botho Bayendi named Botswana Sports Commission CEO

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/keith-magara-sports-africa/" rel="tag">KEITH MAGARA -SPORTS AFRICA</a>

The Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) has finally filled the position of chief executive officer after a two-year search for the right candidate.

The commission on Tuesday, April 5 appointed Botho Bayendi as the new CEO on a five-year term. The appointment comes at a time when Botswana is still grappling with the shocking news that their biggest athletics export, Amos Nijel, is mulling the idea of running as an independent athlete.

Late last month, Nijel, who is the first Botswana national to win an Olympic medal, said that he’s considering taking part at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and 2024 Paris Olympics without the flag of Botswana.

Nigel, who won silver behind a record-breaking run by Kenya’s David Rudisha, at the 2012 London Olympics, was left fuming after his request for an Olympics scholarship was turned down by BNSC.

“Please include me in your prayers for my next phase as a professional athlete. Sadly, I am pursuing going into the scene as an independent athlete – it is what’s best for my family and I. When you don’t feel appreciated and undermined you have to stand for yourself. Botswana National Olympic Committee thank you so much for all the years you have been in my corner, just hope it was not fake support, Iike I see now,”Amos wrote on his social media recently.

The saga by Botswana’s biggest name in global athletics will be among the first issues to be addressed by the new CEO who tackled the matter, albeit in passing, when she was presented before the press.

“The interest in the sport fraternity is from many people who feel entitled to excellence in sport. They also feel entitled to us accounting to whatever investment that government has made to the sport fraternity,” Boyandi was quoted by the Mmegi online.

BNOC president, Botsang Tshenyego did not address Nijel’s issue, but instead used the opportunity to shed light on why it took them so long to get a new CEO.

“We could not hire a CEO because there was a prospect of Tuelo Serufho (who is substantive CEO for the Botswana National Olympic Committee) coming back. We did not want to risk having two CEOs. It has been a long recruitment process that ended Monday,” he said as reported by Mmegi.

Kenya names youthful but strong triathlon squad for Commonwealth Games

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/keith-magara-sports-africa/" rel="tag">KEITH MAGARA -SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Kenya has made minimal changes to the women’s triathlon squad for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The games will be held in Birmingham city between July 28 and August 8.

Aisha Nasser replaced Megan Irungu in the two-woman squad following a repeat national trials held at the Kenyatta University in Kiambu County over the weekend.

Irungu had earned a place in the Kenya team after winning the first trials staged on March 13 at the Karen Water Front.

But her first position, which would have seen her join Josette Njeri, who qualified by wild card, was quashed after she latter successfully lodged a formal complaint challenging the outcome of the women’s results.

The decision was then passed by the Kenya Triathlon Federation (KTF) to cancel and have the trials held a fresh, for women’s only after the panel hearing the case ruled that Irungu had not covered the entire course.

This decision gave Aisha Nasser, who had come second after Irungu, a second chance to redeem herself. And fight for the Commonwealth Games ticket.

Josette, who came third (at the first trials) skipped the subsequent trials on medical grounds.

The battle for the ticket, on water, bike and foot, was thus reduced between Irungu, Nasser and Vivian Hillier, who came third.

Just as she did in Karen, Irungu come out of the water ahead of the rest before opening about 400 metres gap from the first transition – into the bike.

Unfortunately, Irungu had mounted the bike on the mounting line, earning her a 10 seconds penalty.

Having the advantage to watch the mistake by her biggest competition of the day, Nasser slowly peddled her way up to bridge the gap heading into the second transition – and a two-loop five-kilometres run waiting on the other side of the course.

Nasser, 18, who has a background in swimming, later caught up with Irungu in the final lap.

After going toe to toe until the last 200 metres, Irungu had to head to the penalty box for a ten-second rest.

Nasser took advantage of the penalty handed on Irungu to snatch a maiden Commonwealth Games ticket as she raced to the finish line.

Nasser thus joined Josette in the women’s team.

Kenya John Paul and Jesse Okal will fly the Kenyan flag in the men’s race.

The federation will also name two reserves, one in each category before handing the team to the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) for preparations.

All four athletes plus six others will take part at the Africa 2022 Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck, in Zimbabwe this coming weekend.

Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare handed 10-year ban

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/keith-magara-sports-africa/" rel="tag">KEITH MAGARA -SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare has been slapped with a decade-long ban for multiple use of banned substances and failure to cooperate with investigators, Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced February 18.

The ban means that Okagbare, 33, will only be allowed back to competition at the age of 43.

She tested positive of EPO August during the Olympics Games in Tokyo.

According to AIU, the Nigerian was handed a lengthy penalty – five years for the presence and use of multiple prohibited substances and another five for her refusal to cooperate with the AIU’s investigation into her case.

“The sole arbitrator adjudicating the case concluded that the athlete’s use of multiple prohibited substances as part of an organised doping regimen in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympic Games,” read part AIU statement.

AIU termed Okagbare’s role in the doping scandal as “egregious conduct” that amounted to aggravating circumstances under the rules, thereby warranting an additional period of ineligibility on top of the standard four-year sanction.

The sole arbitrator also recognized the AIU’s right to carry out investigations, including the imaging of electronic devices, and to impose sanctions when an athlete refuses to cooperate with an investigation and thereby frustrates the AIU’s ability to fulfil its mandate to protect the integrity of the sport of athletics.

“We welcome the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal; a ban of 10-year is a strong message against intentional and coordinated attempts to cheat at the very highest level of our sport. This is an outcome that was driven by our intelligence-led target testing as well as our commitment to investigate the circumstances behind a positive test,” said Brett Clothier, Head of the AIU.

On October 7, 2021, AIU had pressed charges against Okagbare in relation to separate disciplinary matter, including the presence and use of multiple (two) prohibited substances (human Growth Hormone (hGH) and recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) for which Okagbare had been provisionally suspended on 31 July 2021.

On the same day, Okagbare was scheduled to participate in the semi-finals of the Tokyo 2020 women’s 100m.

Okagbare is believed to have received the drugs from Eric Lira, a US-based “naturopathic” therapist, just before the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Lira is currently facing criminal investigation in the US.

Okagbare has the right to appeal against the Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 30-days.

Kenya women rugby star Philadelphia Olando appointed UAE coach

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/keith-magara-sports-africa/" rel="tag">KEITH MAGARA -SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Philadelphia Olando, a two-time Kenyan Olympian, has been appointed the UAE senior national women’s team head coach.

This is part of the United Arab Emirates Rugby Federation move to improve women’s rugby for the Emirati.

“The move comes after careful consideration and planning to raise the women’s rugby sport by introducing our Emirati women’s teams to competitive experience that should aid their development and solidify their rugby skill sets,” said a rugby federation statement.

Olando who has been with the Kenya side – Lionesses – for the last 15 years will be looking to tap into her experience, as a player as he dives into the murky waters of coaching.

“It’s an immense responsibility that I’m very keen to take on,” said the retired Kenyan international.

“I’m looking forward to bringing the best ever I can, given my Rugby World Cup experience as a player and Olympian, that too gives me great push forward.”

Olando, who led Kenya to the Olympics in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, enjoys a strong rugby profile and is very competent to lead the Emirati women’s teams.

The UAE team has been on an upward surge of form since winning their maiden West Asian tournament in Doha in October 2021.

The UAE Rugby Secretary General Mohamed Al Zaabi said the appointment is in alignment with the UAE Rugby’s plan to invest in the regional and Arab competitions in the near future, expanding the pool of women players.

Dates for Ladies European Tour and Kenya Open confirmed

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/keith-magara-sports-africa/" rel="tag">KEITH MAGARA -SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Kenya will host two high profile golf tournaments in one month.

The East African country, voted the best golfing destination in Africa for the last three years, is expected to play host to 100 professional golf players from the US, UK, Germany France, Sweden, Norway, Spain, South Africa and Nigeria, among others, between February and March.

First on the cards will be the Magical Kenya Ladies European Tour to be staged at the 18-hole the Baobab Course at Vipingo Ridge, set high on the ridge with dramatic coastal views.

The Ladies’ event returns to the golf calendar after a two-year lull following the 2020 and 2021 postponements due to Covid-19 pandemic.

“This shows us that the world is confident in our preparedness against the virus as well as in our ability to host international events of this nature,” Kenya Tourism Board CEO Dr Betty Radier noted.

The three-day event will run from February 10-13 before paving way for the 55-year old Magical Kenya Open from March 3-6.

The European Tour event will be returning to Muthaiga Golf Club in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

Kenya has continued to make great strides in creating awareness on quality golfing experiences.

Players and fans will have pre-planned tours to some of the attractions within the coastal region away from the golf courses to showcase the country’s diverse leisure experiences.

“In 2020, the World Golf Awards named Kenya as Africa’s leading Golf Destination, beating countries which are considered as the cream of golf in Africa. This recognition has positioned Kenya as a golfing destination and with opportunities for first-hand experience of other attractions such as culture, hospitality, and adventures,” said Radier.

Kenya to prioritize athletes’ mental health

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/keith-magara-sports-africa/" rel="tag">KEITH MAGARA -SPORTS AFRICA</a>

The Kenyan government has directed all sports federations and associations to prioritize mental health in their programmes.

This was part of a resolution reached after a three-day consultative conference themed “Agnes Tirop Conference”.

The conference that brought together different stakeholders, including the government as well as a representative from global sportswear firm NIKE, is named after the late Kenyan Olympiad Agnes Tirop. Tirop was allegedly killed by her boyfriend late last year.

The main aim was to create awareness on gender-based violence and gender equity in sports.

All federations will ensure they prioritize the mental health of athletes by undertaking periodic training and assessment of all the athletes in their respective federations.

The Kenyan government also advised each sports federation to commit to engaging in capacity building of youth on gender equity matters as well as establishing mechanisms that ensure fair selection of athletes, coaches and other technical staff in their teams.

Kenya has been at the forefront in championing equitable gender representation at major championships with Tokyo Olympics, where the CEO, lead doctor, nutritionist and psychologist all being women, being an example

“Last year in Tokyo we decided the women will have some positions, not based on token but radical change,” noted the country’s National Olympic Committee Secretary-General Francis Mutuku.

“In the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games there were eight women and in the 2012 London Games we had 20 women. The numbers jumped in the Rio Olympics with 42 women, and recently in Tokyo we took 48 women to the Olympics, a 166% participation increase since 2008 to 2021,” said Mutuku.

At the same time, sports federations were advised to commit to establishing and gradually strengthening basic structures of operations including setting up a fully-fledged office and administrative staff while the national government ensure an athlete-centric culture in all their undertakings and adopt a zero-tolerance to corruption, maladministration and gender-based violence.

Sports in Kenya has been grappling with cases of sexual harassment, mental health and gender-based violence.

Last year alone, three high profile athletes died under mysterious circumstances, with two female athletes allegedly being killed by their spouses while one committed suicide.

CAVB opens registration for 2022 Challenger Cup

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/keith-magara-sports-africa/" rel="tag">KEITH MAGARA -SPORTS AFRICA</a>

The Confederation of Africa Volleyball (CAVB) has been told to organise a Challenger Cup failure to which two top-ranked African teams in each gender will get the spots.

In 2017, FIVB announced the restructuring of the World League and Grand Prix, and in their place launched a men’s and women’s Volleyball Nations League whose first edition was played in 2018.

The Nations League is an annual event that bears the same format as the now-defunct FIVB World League and Grand Prix featuring the top 16 national teams made up of 12 core teams and 4 “Challenger” teams per gender.

At the end of the Volleyball Nations League, the challenger teams get relegated based on their ranking and their places taken up by teams promoted from the FIVB Challenger Cup.

To qualify for the FIVB Challenger Cup, each Confederation is required to organize respective Continental Challenger Cup with the participation of a minimum of four teams for both genders, failure to which the FIVB will qualify teams through the FIVB Volleyball World Ranking for Senior Teams.

“Considering the quality and standard of play experienced during the age groups and Senior African Nations Volleyball Championships held last year, it is our considered opinion that a number of African teams and players are more than ready to participate in the FIVB Challenger Cup and qualify for the Volleyball Nations League,” said CAVB in a statement.

“CAVB is, thus keen to give equal opportunities to all National Federation by way of their participation in the 2022 CAVB Continental Challenger Cup, proposed to be held from 1st to 10th July 2022.

To enable proper planning and organization of the 2022 Continental Challenger Cup, CAVB invites all National Federations to register their participation in Continental Challenger whose winner’s will progress to the FIVB Challenger Cup.

Elaine Thompson-Herah and Karsten Warholm scoop World Athlete of the Year gongs

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/keith-magara-sports-africa/" rel="tag">KEITH MAGARA -SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Africa came back empty-handed with Olympic champions Elaine Thompson-Herah and Karsten Warholm both named the World Athletes of the Year at the World Athletics Awards 2021.

Africans had three finalists –Kenyan duo of Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon, as well as Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei.

Kipchoge successfully retained the men’s Olympic marathon title while, Kipyegon, 27, became the only third woman to retain her Olympic title.

Kipyegon won the 1500m race, barely a month after coming back from year-long maternity leave. Cheptegei, on the other hand, won the 5,000m and scooped silver in the 10,000m in Tokyo.

But despite having an impressive record throughout the year, none took home any honour at the event held virtually on Wednesday, January 1.

But the big day went to Jamaica and Norway.

Thompson-Herah produced one of the finest sprint seasons in history this year, retaining her Olympic 100m and 200m titles in Tokyo and adding a third gold medal in the 4x100m relay. On top of her Olympic triple, she also clocked world-leading times of 10.54 and 21.53 over 100m and 200m respectively, moving to second on the world all-time lists and coming within touching distance of the long-standing world records.

Warholm uncorked one of the most remarkable performances in athletics history when he stormed to gold in the 400m hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics. Having already broken the world record with 46.70 in Oslo in the lead-up to the Games, Warholm exceeded all expectations in the Japanese capital to claim gold in a stunning world record of 45.94. In a race of incredible depth, the top three athletes finished inside the pre-2021 world record.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe congratulated all of tonight’s winners and finalists on their extraordinary

Other big winners of the night included Athing Mu, the American of South Sudan origin scooped the Female Rising Star award while Erriyon Knighton took the opposite gender.

Mu was undefeated at 800m all year, winning Olympic gold at the distance following a long but successful collegiate season. She broke the senior US 800m record with her triumph in Tokyo and then improved it to 1:55.04 just a few weeks later. She also excelled at 400m, clocking a North American U20 record of 49.57 for the distance.

The inspirational award was shared by Qatari Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy. The pair jointly won the high jump victory in what was one of the biggest talking points of the Olympic Games.

The President’s Award went to Peter Diamond, Executive Vice President of NBC Olympic programming while Bobby Kersee took the Coaching Achievement Award

The US coach has guided the careers of many legendary athletes over the years, but this year two of his charges made history. Allyson Felix became the most decorated female track and field Olympian in history after winning her 10th and 11th Olympic gold medals in Tokyo, while training partner Sydney McLaughlin broke two world records in the 400m hurdles and claimed Olympic gold in the discipline.

Anju Bobby George took the Woman of the Year Award. The former international long jump star from India is still actively involved in the sport. In 2016 she opened a training academy for young girls, which has already helped to produce a world U20 medallist. A constant voice for gender equality in her role as Senior Vice President of the Indian Athletics Federation, Bobby George also mentors schoolgirls for future leadership positions within the sport.

CAVB set to relocate headquarters from Cairo

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/keith-magara-sports-africa/" rel="tag">KEITH MAGARA -SPORTS AFRICA</a>

The Confederation of Africa Volleyball (CAVB) is set to move its operations outside Cairo, Egypt, for the first time in 50 years.

The African volleyball mother body is currently in the process of relocating its headquarters from Cairo to Rabat, Morocco.

“CAVB is preparing to open new headquarters in Rabat,” said a source familiar with operations of the continental body.

CAVB has been running its operations from the Egyptian capital since 1972.

The move comes barely two years after Bouchra Hajij, the former Moroccan international, took over the CAVB leadership.

Bouchra, who is also the President of the Royal Moroccan Volleyball Federation, trounced Egyptian Emr Elwani in the last election.

Bouchra was voted into office in an electronic voting, exercise held between October 24-26, 2020. She beat incumbent Elwani by 42 votes to 12 to become the first female president of the continental body.

Now wants to set up the officers closer ‘home’ for effective daily operations.

“This means that it will move its operations to Morocco by early next year,” added our source.

With that victory, she ended Elwani’s 24-year reign as volleyball boss in Africa, including 19-years as president of the body and FIVB executive vice-president.

Elwani took over from Chazly Zouiten (Tunisia) who followed Nacef Salim (Egypt) who came after Louhry Gui Gui (Cote D’Ivoire).

CAVB was formed in 1972 with its headquarters in Cairo.

Taiwo Atieno appointed Kenyan Premier League commercial director

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/keith-magara-sports-africa/" rel="tag">KEITH MAGARA -SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Former Harambee Stars and Luton Town FC player Taiwo Atieno has been appointed Commercial Director by the Kenyan Premier League Limited (KPL).

The resolution to appoint Taiwo was made by the directors of the KPL on November 2, 2021.

Taiwo played professional football for 15 years in England and the USA. He retired in 2013 and embarked on working in the Private Equity Sector, restructuring and building companies in England, USA and Kenya for investment.

“It is an honour to serve Kenyan football in this new role. I pledge to apply my experience in my new role to uplift professional football clubs in Kenya. Kenyan football has seen little or no investment in youth football,” Taiwo said.

The Commercial Director’s main role will be to raise investment for construction of new youth training and development facilities and assist KPL and member clubs in establishing funding.

He will also help clubs embrace best corporate governance and football business strategy, rebuild market confidence in member clubs’ goods and services, ensure market-fit products and services and maximize commercial revenue for KPL.

“The success of any nation depends on the youth and private sector should play a larger part in investing and shaping the brand of Kenyan football l (as it does in the English Leagues). KPL has agreed to focus on youth development within the professional club setup and also work with the small Clubs to build football academies and programs within their community,” said the 36-year-old.

“Clubs should start developing players from a very early age and with it apply a broad system of education for young people to develop throughout their time with the club. This has been the best practice for most successful football teams with a lot of attention on the non-sporting part of a player’s development. In most cases where clubs do not have a strong academy they can have partnerships with other academies to help create a pool of talented young players.”

As Commercial Director of KPL, Taiwo will work with member professional clubs to build strategic plans with a strong emphasis on Youth Training and Development in Kenya/East Africa.

He will identify and implement new business opportunities e.g. multi-sports division for KPL member clubs such as futsal, basketball and volleyball under the same brand e.g. La Liga have Barcelona Football Club and a basketball team, etc. This model will get more young people playing sports. Taiwo will also ensure market-fit products and services for each member club is based on current sector trends and anticipated future market developments.

He will also implement KPL Community Strategy, which will focus on using the reach and appeal of the KPL and Member clubs to inspire children and young people (5 to 25) to realize their potential.

Four Key objectives will underpin Taiwo’s KPL strategic plan for Youth Training and Development

-Building stronger communities where everyone can achieve
-Enhancing physical and mental wellbeing
-Developing personal skills and positive relationships
-Increasing sporting, educational and employment opportunities

“We are aware that only a very small percentage of players will arrive at the professional level of sport, so we have a responsibility to care for those who won’t make it to professional game. We have the responsibility to develop people, not just footballers. Football has long been associated with developing skills and behaviors that allow young people to become competent athletes and useful contributors to society. These skills include specifically, social skills, discipline, respect, personal control, organization and leadership are highlighted as life skills themes that could be developed through football.”

In addition, KPL in collaboration with other stakeholders shall organize youth football tournaments. KPL will also establish a charitable fund and use the appeal of professional football to create positive and lasting sporting, health and education outcomes for children, young people and the wider communities in Kenya and East Africa.

About Taiwo Atieno

Taiwo is the son of a Kenyan journalist, the late Mousa Alan Awuonda. Taiwo’s father hailed from Alego Kogelo village in Siaya County. Like many Kenyans from that region, Taiwo’s father was a big fan of Gor Mahia FC. He went to study in England in 1983 and met Taiwo’s late mother. As a result of their union Taiwo was born in 1985 in Brixton, South London.

Football education

Taiwo grew up loving football and was fortunate enough to play for teams from the age of eight ears. Taiwo signed his first pro contract with Championship club Walsall FC aged 15, having passed through the English Youth Football Academy system. Taiwo is the first British-born Kenyan to play professionally in England’s football leagues.

During Taiwo’s playing career he played against many top clubs both at senior and youth level. This list of clubs include but are not limited to Man United, Spurs, Aston Villa, West Brom Albion, Birmingham City, Wolves, Brighton City, Bournemouth, Cardiff City, Swansea City, Brentford, Burnley, Norwich, Ipswich Town, Luton Town, Stoke City, Blackpool, Reading, Preston North End, Bristol City, Peterborough, Hull City, Derby, Barnsley, Charlton AFC and Wimbledon AFC.

Taiwo is also the first Kenyan to have played in the English FA Cup which is the oldest and most viewed football club cup competition in the world.

Taiwo regards some of his proudest moments in football as the first time he represented Kenya/Harambee Stars in 2009/10 World Cup Qualifiers.

After retirement (2013/14), Taiwo took up interest in private equity; building and structuring companies (some of his own) in England, USA and Kenya for the purpose of raising private equity investment for various projects in Science, Sport, Media and Entertainment. To date Taiwo has raised $7m for various projects.

Kenya in numbers

Taiwo has been a Kenyan citizen for 12 years and during that period he has travelled up and down Kenya observing and recording the state of football/sports facilities. This has given Taiwo much insight into what is needed to improve football in Kenya. It is Taiwo’s view that football/sports in Kenya is in urgent need of private capital investment especially into the Professional Clubs. Not only to assist with the building of new professional football/sports facilities but also to manage the training, nurturing and educating of the youth development programs for the professional football clubs.

Taiwo would also like to highlight the fact Kenya is the sixth largest economy in Africa (out of 54 countries) and Kenya boasts the largest economy in the East Africa Community. On top of this the East African Community (as a whole) is the second largest economy in Africa behind Nigeria.

This means Kenya is the largest economy in the second largest economy EAC in Africa.

It is Taiwo’s view that these economic indicators prove Kenyan football/sports should be leading in East Africa and leading within the top 10 countries in Africa, at the very least – currently Kenyan national football team is ranked 23rd in Africa and 104th in the World.

LATEST POSTS

LET'S TALK

RECOMMENDED SITES