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ANOC and NOC Indonesia announce full return of Beach Games in Bali

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The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in conjunction with Indonesia National Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) Thursday announced the full sports program for the ANOC World Beach Games Bali 2023.

This is in celebration of one year to go to the beach and water sport event.

3×3 Basketball, AirBadminton, Rowing Beach Sprint and Surfing (longboard and shortboard) have been added to the Bali 2023 core program of Open Water Swimming 5km & Beach Water Polo, Beach Soccer, Beach Handball, Individual Kata, Kite Foil, Beach Tennis, Aquathlon, Beach Volleyball 4×4 and Beach Wrestling.

Acting ANOC President Robin Mitchell said: “We cannot wait to once again have the privilege of watching the world’s best athletes compete in a celebration of elite beach and water sports. In Bali we have excellent partners who we have no doubt will deliver an unforgettable event next year.”

NOC Indonesia President Raja Sapta Oktohari added: “NOC Indonesia continues to work hard in ensuring Bali 2023 will be a success. We still have much to do, and therefore we continue to strengthen the intensive coordination with local and central government, as well as with ANOC.”

For 3×3 basketball it will be a return to the Games, having featured at the inaugural ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019, while AirBadminton, World Rowing Beach Sprint and Surfing will all be making their Games debuts.

At Bali 2023, 3×3 basketball will feature 64 male and 64 female athletes with 16 teams per gender.

AirBadminton was launched by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in 2019 to create opportunities for people of all ages and ability to play badminton on hard, grass and sand surfaces in parks, gardens, streets, playgrounds, and beaches around the world. The AirBadminton athlete quota at Bali 2023 will be 72 athletes (36 men and 36 women).

For Rowing, the first Beach Sprint Finals took place in 2019 and was introduced to provide an exciting new format which would grow the sport and reach new audiences. The quota for Rowing Beach Sprint at Bali 2023 is 80 athletes (40 men and 40 women) and the Qualification System is currently being agreed between ANOC and World Rowing.

Shortboard will feature at Bali 2023 on the back of its successful debut at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. A total of 32 men and 32 women will compete in the event and will be joined by 16 men and 16 women in longboard.

Stage set for Premier League with Liverpool, Man City tipped to shine

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The new Premier League season kicks off on Friday with fans anxious to know who will come out on top of what looks likely to be another head-to-head battle between Manchester City and Liverpool.

Manchester City are just about go into the season as favorites, despite their defeat to Liverpool in last weekend’s Charity Shield, with Pep Guardiola’s side pulling off the signing of Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian, who won’t be on the World Cup duty in November, looks likely to provide more goals than Gabriel Jesus, and his partnership with Julian Alvarez (who was signed from River Plate in January) looks likely to offset the departure of Raheem Sterling and Jesus, while England player Kalvin Phillips is an upgrade of the veteran Fernandinho (if he can stay fit).

Darwin Nunez is the man everyone will be looking out for at Liverpool and the former Benfica striker has a big task to fill the boots of the departed Sadio Mane. Fabio Carvalho looks like a promising buy from Fulham and Jurgen Klopp will be pleased to see Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah pen new deals.

It has been a tumultuous summer at Chelsea, with new owners coming in to replace Roman Abramovich, but the signings of Sterling and Kalidou Koulibali show ambition, even though the defense looks weaker after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen and the possible departures of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta.

Thomas Tuchel also needs to find a reliable goalscorer if his side to have any options of a top-four finish.

Tottenham could be the “dark horse” in this year’s title race with Antonio Conte having the summer to form a side in his image with important arrivals, such as Richarlison, Yves Bissouma strengthening in all areas of the pitch.

Harry Kane and Son Heung-min guarantee goals and Conte’s side keep things tight in defense and could be challengers.

Arsenal flickered and promised last season, before fizzing out at the end of the campaign and Mikel Arteta’s side will provide moments of magic again after the arrivals of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City. However, the question is whether Arteta’s entertaining young side can maintain their challenge consistently over a full season and the answer is probably “no.”

As for Manchester United, surely it can’t be worse than the collective chaos and individual disappointments of last season, as Erik ten Hag steps into the Old Trafford hotseat.

In a best-case scenario, players such as Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Marcos Rashford will bounce back to their best under the former Ajax coach, while Christian Eriksen provides some silk in midfield and Lisandro Martinez adds steel at the back.

In the worst case, last season saw too much damage to repair in one year and a want-away Cristiano Ronaldo spends the campaign in a self-imposed sulk as United again struggle to qualify for Europe.

Elsewhere, Newcastle United can be expected to progress thanks to a combination of Saudi Arabian finance and Eddie Howe’s intelligent management. West Ham United have added much-needed firepower with the signing of Gianluca Scamacca, who should allow Michail Antonio a rest now and then, while Leicester City have yet to make any signings, but have defender Wesley Fofana fit again after missing nearly all last season with a broken leg.

Much of Leicester’s hopes will depend on them fending off Newcastle United’s offers to sign creative midfielder James Maddison and Jamie Vardy continuing to score goals.

Wolves can be depended on to play attractive football, but need Raul Jimenez to rediscover his touch in front of goal, while it will be interesting to see how Brighton adapt after losing midfield motor Bissouma to Spurs.

Graham Potter’s side can be relied on to play attractive football, but once again they need a bit more bite in front of goal.

Southampton also need to find goals if they are to avoid turning inconsistency into an all-out battle against relegation.

Patrick Viera had an excellent first season at Crystal Palace, changing them from a dogged defensive unit to an expansive passing team and we can expect more of the same in south London, and while Brentford will be hard-pushed to repeat their excellent first season in the elite, Thomas Frank has kept most of his squad together (except for Eriksen) and Keane Lewis Potter is a promising young forward.

Steven Gerrard’s first full season at Aston Villa promises to be interesting and he will be pleased to have secured central defender Diego Carlos from Sevilla.

Things look tougher for Gerrard’s England companion as Frank Lampard faces another difficult campaign at Everton. Lampard has the fans on his side after narrowly avoiding relegation, but the loss of Richarlison is a big one and the signings of James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil from Burnley will have to add some steel of they want to avoid further struggles.

Ronaldo tips Neymar to inspire Brazil at the World Cup

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Brazilian football legend Ronaldo believes compatriot Neymar Junior can help Brazil reach greater heights in this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Neymar has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form since his world record 222 million-euro move to PSG from Barcelona, prompting many to believe he will fall short of his career potential.

However, two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo believes that the 30-year-old, if fully fit and focused, could prove the difference at the showpiece tournament, to be played from November 21 to December 18.

“Brazil will always be favorites, regardless of the competition they are playing in,” Ronaldo said during an event in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.

“This World Cup will be no different. If Neymar is 100% physically and focused, we will have a big chance of taking home the trophy. That’s why we’re hoping that Neymar can be at his best and bring happiness to Brazilian people.”

Ronaldo was the hero of Brazil’s triumphant 2002 World Cup campaign in Japan and South Korea with eight goals, including two in the final against Germany. He was also a member of the Brazil squad that won the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

Neymar, who has scored 74 goals in 119 international appearances, has never made it pass the World Cup’s quarterfinal phase.

“Hopefully he can leave off-field matters aside and concentrate on what is happening on the pitch. He is an ace, perhaps one of the greatest in the history of Brazilian football,” Ronaldo said.

“We have a great team with great players. But Neymar, in particular, is very different technically and physically. That’s why he can make a difference and be decisive in Qatar.”

Brazil have been drawn in Group G against Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.

Katarina Thompson defends her title at the Commonwealth Games

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Former world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson of England successfully defended her title in heptathlon at the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday.

Johnson-Thompson, who has been struggling with injuries in the past three years, triumphed in Birmingham with 6,377 points, claiming her first victory since winning the world title in 2019.

Johnson-Thompson overcame a ruptured achilles tendon to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games, but had to withdraw midway as she suffered a calf injury in the 200m race.

The 29-year-old failed to defend her world title last month, only managing an eighth finish in the tournament in Eugene, the United States.

“It has been hard,” said Johnson-Thompson. “I had moments where I didn’t know if I wanted to carry on. But to come out here and get the gold, I prove to myself that pushing through was worth it.”

Eilish McColgan from Scotland won her first major title in her career as the 31-year-old finished first in the women’s 10,000m race in a new Games record of 30 minutes and 48.60 seconds.

McColgan’s mother won the same title twice in 1986 and 1990.

In the 100m finals, double Olympic 100m champion Elaine Thompson-Herah from Jamaica won the women’s race in 10.95 seconds while Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala took the men’s gold in 10.02 seconds.

In the pool, Duncan Scott of Scotland set a new Games record of one minute 56.88 seconds to clinch the title of the men’s 200m individual medley.

England’s Ben Proud took the victory in the men’s 50m freestyle final in 21.36 seconds.

In weightlifting, Olympic silver medalist Emily Campbell of England triumphed in the women’s +87kg category with a total of 286kg, beating Samoa’s defending champion Feagaiga Stowers to second place.

“I hope people see how beautiful our sport is. Throughout the week you have seen it, doesn’t matter what you look like, what shape you are, what size you are, you can pick up a bar and do it,” said the 28-year-old Campbell.

Cycling – Olympic champion Kenny wins gold for England at the Commonwealth

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Olympic cycling champion Laura Kenny repeated her glory on the Lee Valley Velo Park track in London as she won the women’s 10km scratch race at the Commonwealth Games on Monday.

On the same track ten years ago, Kenny brought home two Olympic cycling golds before taking three more at the following two Games.

The 30-year-old, suffering a miscarriage last year and an ectopic pregnancy this year, overcame a lack of motivation and confidence crisis to win England’s first cycling gold at the Commonwealth Games.

“Yesterday I thought it was going to be my last bike race,” said Kenny. “Everything about it I just didn’t enjoy. Even before the start, I didn’t know if I could do it. (But) I came in this morning in a completely different mindset, thinking: ‘Of course you can do it.'”

Australia’s Matthew Glaetzer defended his 1,000m time trial title in a time of 59.505 seconds. The 29-year-old already won a gold in the team sprint last Friday.

More Australians claimed victories in the pool on Monday as Emma McKeon won the women’s 50m butterfly title in 25.90 seconds and Kyle Chalmers clinched the title of the men’s 100m freestyle in 47.51 seconds.

Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown of Australia led the women’s 200m backstroke final with a Commonwealth Games record winning time of 2:05.60 and Australia also won the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay in 7:04.96.

Besides, Singapore won their first gold medal at this year’s Games with a 3-0 victory over Malaysia in the women’s team table tennis.

In judo, Canada’s Christa Deguchi beat England’s Acelya Toprak in the women’s under 57kg gold medal match. But Christa Deguchi’s younger sister Kelly Deguchi was defeated by Australian Tinka Easton in the women’s under 52kg final.

PSG overcome Nantes to win French Super Cup

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Paris Saint-Germain beat French Cup holders Nantes 4:0 to win the French Super Cup for the 11th time on Sunday in Israel.

The match was held, for the second year in a row, at Bloomfield Stadium in the coastal city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, with a full house of 29,400 fans.

After PSG lost the Super Cup to Lille last year, Leo Messi and Neymar made sure that the title would not slip away again, even in the absence of Kylian Mbappe, who was suspended for yellow cards.

The match was opened with saves from both goalkeepers, PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Nantes’ Alban Lafont, and a header by PSG’s captain Marquinhos that found the crossbar.

Messi scored after a pass by Neymar, giving Paris Saint-Germain the lead in the 22nd minute.

Neymar doubled the score in the last seconds of the first half with an impressive free kick from 20 meters.

Sergio Ramos scored PSG’s third goal with a backheel shot in the 57th minute.

Neymar sealed the result with a penalty in the 82nd minute after being brought down in the box by Jean-Charles Castelletto, who therefore saw the red card.

Verstappen wins F1 Hungarian GP after Ferrari mistake

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Max Verstappen won Sunday’s F1 Hungarian Grand Prix after rising from tenth on the grid as Ferrari and Charles Leclerc fell short.

Engine problems on Saturday condemned Verstappen to a midfield start, but the Dutchman swiftly made his way through the pack, aided by some slick pit work and clever strategy calls by his Red Bull team.

By the race’s half-distance mark, though, Verstappen was still some way behind title rival Leclerc, who had taken the lead on Lap 31 of 70 and was looking good for the win.

However, the race began to go away from Leclerc when he was fitted with Hard compound tyres during his second pit stop on Lap 40, in contrast to the Medium tyres used by Verstappen and the rest of the leading contenders.

With the Hard tyres proving difficult to get into their ideal operating window in the cool conditions in Budapest, Leclerc was caught and passed by Verstappen on Lap 41.

Though Verstappen spun later that lap to gift the place back, the Dutchman recovered and overtook Leclerc again on Lap 45.

Some late drizzle made the track slippery in the final few laps, but Verstappen held on to take his eighth victory of 2022.

“I was at first hoping that I could get close to a podium. Very tricky conditions out there but we had a really good strategy,” said Verstappen afterwards.

“We were really reactive and always pitting at the right time, I thought we had some good out laps, and at the end – even with the 360 – we won the race.”

“It was a crazy race and I’m of course very happy that we won it.”

Behind Verstappen came a charging Lewis Hamilton in second, who took the bonus point for Fastest Lap.

Third place went to Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell, who had led the early stages from his pole position but faded with tyre issues in the second half of the race.

Carlos Sainz took fourth for Ferrari, ahead of Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez, with Leclerc finishing only sixth after his ineffective switch to Hard tyres.

Lando Norris took seventh for McLaren, ahead of the Alpine duo of Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon, with Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel rounding out the top ten.

Following the race, Verstappen extends his lead in the Drivers’ Championship over Leclerc to 80 points, with 258 points to 178. Perez remains third on 173 points.

In the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull are in control with 431 points. Ferrari stay second with 334, with Mercedes closing in on 304 points.

F1 now takes a four-week summer break before resuming with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on August 28.

England beat Germany to lift UEFA Women’s Euro title

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England edged Germany 2-1 in extra time in a packed Wembley Stadium in London, bringing home the trophy of the UEFA women’s Euro for the first time on Sunday.

Germany suffered a heavy blow minutes ahead of the final as their captain Alex Popp had to pull out after picking up an injury during the warm-up.

The 31-year-old forward had scored in all five previous matches in this tournament and scored twice in Germany’s 2-1 win against France in Wednesday’s semifinal.

England, reaching the Euro’s final for the third time, couldn’t break the deadlock until Ella Toone came off the bench to score the opener in the 62nd minute. But midfielder Lina Magull helped Germany equalize in the 79th minute.

The 1-1 scoreline was held until the 110th minute while substitute Chloe Kelly prodded in her first goal for the England team.

“What we’ve done is incredible. I knew we had England behind us- we saw that coming to the stadium,” said England head coach Sarina Wiegman in front of 87,192 fans in Wembley.

“But the whole tournament we’ve had so much support from our fans. I’m so proud of the team.”

The 52-year-old Dutchwoman, who also guided the Netherlands to win the women’s Euro trophy in 2017, is the first coach to lead two different teams to the title.

NBA great Bill Russell dies at 88

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Eleven-time NBA champion Bill Russell died on Sunday at the age of 88, his family posted on social media.

“Bill’s wife, Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill in your prayers. Perhaps you’ll relive one or two of the golden moments he gave us, or recall his trademark laugh as he delighted in explaining the real story behind how those moments unfolded,” Russell’s family said in a statement, without giving the cause of death.

As the most prolific winner in American sports history, Russell took all of his 11 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics, including eight in a row from 1959 to 1966. Russell also claimed the gold medal at the 1956 Olympics.

Five-time Most Valuable Player and 12-time All-Star, Russell was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Russell “the greatest champion in all of team sports” in a statement, adding that “Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league.”

Dybala provides assist as Roma beat Tottenham Hotspur in friendly

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Paulo Dybala provided an assist in his AS Roma debut to help the Italian side beat Premier League outfit Tottenham 1-0 in a friendly match in Haifa, northern Israel on Saturday night.

The Argentine attacker, who just joined Roma on a free transfer last week, brought an immediate impact to his new club on his debut as Brazilian center back Roger Ibanez scored the only goal in the 29th minute in front of Roma fans’ stand, thanks to a corner kick by Dybala.

Tottenham’s star striker Harry Kane once found the net in final minute of the first half, but was flagged offside.

Antonio Conte’s team created more chances in the second half, especially after new signing Richarlison was subbed in, but both teams failed to score again.

This is Tottenham’s final pre-season match before their league opener against Southampton on August 6, while Roma will seal their preparation for new season by hosting Shakhtar Donetsk one day later.

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