Zimbabwe Chess Player Alois Chipfurutse Awarded A Full Scholarship By William Marsh Rice University

In 2017 he broke a 5 year record in his school district after he attained a brilliant 20pts during his Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council Advanced level results. With 4 distinctions in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry Further Mathematics Alois has been offered a full scholarship by William Marsh Rice University.

Chipfurutse is a chess player and has participated in the 2018 Zimbabwe Chess Open and scored a 5.5/8 finishing the tournament on position 18. After struggling to get a scholarship the Alois juggled teaching ,playing chess league whilst preparing for his college application.

He was offered an mining and electrical engineering program instead of Aeronautical Engineering program this forced him to take a gap year and period he joined Education USA as a member.

The young Alois got heartbroken after he was rejected by all the American universities he had applied to. During this period he dominated in chess competition and became the highest rated Under 20 chess player in Zimbabwe.

The young chess player only managed to pass his SAT test during his second gap year and was admitted into William Marsh Rice University were he will be studying towards a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

BREAKING NEWS- Cricket Namibia Awarded The ICC Associate Member Men’s Performance Of The Year

After defeating Hong Kong by 151 runs to win the ICC WCL Division 2 and securing a place in the ICC men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 qualifying for an ODI One Day International status and securing a two and a half years of playing 50 over international cricket. The world cricket governing body ICC has announced Cricket Namibia as the winners of the ICC Associate member men’s performance of the year.

The team later went on and qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time ever in the history of Cricket Namibia. In the women’s category ICC announced Thailand women’s team as the winners of the ICC a member women’s performance of the year.

Blow For The Zimbabwe WaterPolo Teams As Organizers Of The Schools WaterPolo South Africa CANCEL This Year Edition Of The SWPSA

Novel covid-19 continues to cause havoc within the sporting sector, the latest victims been the Zimbabwe junior WaterPolo national teams.

Organizers of the Schools WaterPolo South Africa announced that due to the novel covid-19 they have decided to CANCEL this year edition of the tournament that was supposed to be hosted in Cape Town this December.

For the past three years Zimbabwe junior national waterpolo teams are invited to participate in the annual tournament, which is the team only opportunity to play competitive games. During last year edition of the tournament Zimbabwe teams struggled with only our U-13 girls team finishing in the top five.

As you are all aware,current national lockdown regulations prohibits any form of organized school sport and with provincial travel limited at this stage,coupled with the rising costs of domestic grave when those regulations are lifted,we thought it best to cancel the highly anticipated 2020 event. Discussion are still in place, but in all likelihood Western Province will host the 2021 event – reads a statement from the organisers

The announcement leaves the Zimbabwe junior WaterPolo teams with no regional competition this year.

Botswana Netball Player Cheludo David Signs A Two Year Contract With Woods Panther Netball Team

She was part of the Botswana U-21 netball team that finished on position 10 at the INF Netball World Cup, that was hosted in Botswana. Two years after her amazing performance at the prestigious netball youth competition Cheludo David was invited for a trial by Australia based netball team Woods Panthers Netball team.

It only took the youngster a fortnight to impressive the coach and after two weeks the club pinned a three month trial contract with Cheludo. This month the Woods Panthers Netball team announced that they had signed a two year contract with Cheludo David.

Woods Panthers Netball team plays in the Netball South Australia Premier League and they kick started their 2020 Netball season on the 17th of July, and games are been conducted in a condensed format with teams playing three games per fortnight as opposed to the usual weekly schedule due to the novel covid-19.

The Mighty Has Fallen- Martha Sichone Elected As The President Of Netball Association Of Zambia

After serving as the president of the Netball Association of Zambia for close to 8 years Gertrude Mukumi has lost in her bid to be reelected as the president of NAZ.

Mukumi lost to Sichone who has served as a committee member and treasurer of the Netball Association of Zambia before deciding to run for the presidency post this time around.

“Going forward you should look forward to more stakeholders engagement and accountability.”- Martha Sichone

Gloria Mwanza was defeated by Jessie Henuka in the fight for the vice presidency post whilst Malikana Mubiana was unopposed in the position of vice president project and events.

Pritchard Ngoma was returned his post as the Secretary general of Netball Association of Zambia after defeating Sansele Mukumbuta 14 to 7 votes.

Sports Rifle 724 will update you on the full list soon

World Baseball Softball Confederation Praises Zimbabwe Baseball Association

With over 40 baseball and softball coaches who have been trained in Baseball5. World Baseball Softball Confederation have praised Zimbabwe Baseball Association for the splendid work they are doing to develop the sport of baseball

World Baseball Softball Confederation have praised the Zimbabwe Baseball Association for leading the role in the growth, introduction, implementation and development plan for the Baseball 5 across the nation.

With baseball and softball set to become more global World Baseball Softball Confederation believes that Zimbabwe commitment to Baseball 5 adds to the already growing popularity of the discipline in Africa.

Baseball5 is the new, fast paced urban version of baseball and the world baseball and softball governing board introduced the sport in 2017. And the first ever World Cup of Baseball5 will next year.

Netball Association Of Zambia To Hold Elections

The Netball Association of Zambia will hold its elective annual general meeting AGM on Saturday 25 July.

All positions in the Netball Association of Zambia are up for grabs with outgoing committee of the NAZ Martha Lungu-Sichone contesting for the presidency post against Gertrude Mukuni who is seeking to return her position for the third time in a row.

Other members seeking reelection are Pritchard Ngoma who is seeking to return his position as the Netball Association Of Zambia Secretary General. Edwin Napsa will be contesting for the position of treasurer. Nominations will be closed on the day of polls therefore affiliate members and clubs will be allowed to file nomination.

With their constitution allowing affiliates to nominate from the floor anything is possible come election day on Saturday 25 July 2020

Below is an interview with the outgoing president of Netball Association Of Zambia who is also seeking reelection on Saturday. Gertrude Mukuni highlights her achievement since taking over as the president of the association

International Netball Federation Creates A Covid-19 Response Fund

Last month the International Netball Federation hosted an online roadshow aimed at discussing the challenges of managing the novel covid-19 and the impact of the virus on International Netball Federation events. This past week the world netball governing body further hosted a consultative roadshow with members in its five region.

In the consultative roadshow the INF introduced the “Beyond Netball 2020″ the working title for the new strategic plan- and the planning logic behind the strategy. ” Beyond Netball 2020 reviewed the progress of INF’s current strategic plan, feedback from a Member survey and global reports on the sporting landscape and challenges facing International Federations.

Key findings from INF’s research project with Populus in September 2019 were presented at the roadshow, highlighting Members enthusiastic support for INF to create an ambitious growth strategy across participation and performance, its products and profits to extend the sport’s reach and impact.

During the consultative roadshow the board also announced decisions made in the INF June meeting. Recognising the severe financial impact on Members caused by Covid-19, INF has created a ‘Covid-19 Response Fund’ for each Region to provide immediate support to those Members with the greatest need.  INF will also reduce its membership fees for 2021 by 50%, compared to 2020, for those Members who have paid in full for 2020 – reads a statement from the INF

A number of African countries are expected to benefit for the International Netball Federation Covid-19 Response Fund. The relief funds will be provided immediate support to those members with the greatest needs.

Two Zimbabwean Football Coaches Bongani Mafu And Philani Mabena Reports Former Club Mochudi Centre Chiefs To Fifa

Two former Mochudi Centre Chief head coaches have reported the club to FIFA after their former club failed to pay them their salaries as per terms of contract.

Bongani Mafu who coached Mochudi Centre Chief between 2016 and 2017 reported his former club to FIFA after the club breached an employment agreement and failed to pay Mafu his salary for close to four months in 2017. In 2018 Mafu even asked Zimbabwe Football Association to help him talk with his former club but ZIFA failed to help.

Through his lawyers Mafu has put a claim of P449,500 and FIFA is reported to have already instructed Mochudi Centre Chiefs to settle Mafu claim before end of July. Another Zimbabwean coach Philani Mabena also reported Mochudi for breach of contract after the club failed to settle P121,100

All eyes are now on Mochudi Centre Chiefs as they are expected to fork out close to P700,000 to settle their two former coaches. Centre Chiefs are currently playing in the lower division.

It remains to be seen if the club is able to pay such an amount considering their financial crisis and internal factional wars.

Sarah Bennet To Conduct And Present The FIH Academy Level 1 Technical Official Course

Sarah Bennet and Rogler Warris were amongst the 14 technical officials appointed by International Hockey Federation to be technical officials at the now postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, but novel covid happened and the games have been postponed to 2021

“In order to use the lockdown period productively International Hockey Federation introduced online coaching course.”

The two African technical officials Sarah and Rogler will be instructors for the FIH Academy Level 1 technical official course, which will be held from the 27 to 30 July via FI Educators over Microsoft Teams. The course will be delivered in a contemporary style with interactive sessions of practical and course work.

The secretary general of Hockey Association Of Zimbabwe Sarah Bennett together with South African Rogler Warris will conduct and present the three day FIH Level 1 technical official course.

Gender Equality In Council Amongst Some Of The Constitutional Changes Approved By Badminton World Federation

Badminton World Federation hosted their 81st Annual General Meeting. In the process they made history by hosting their first virtual meeting last Saturday.

The Annual General Meeting allowed Badminton World Federation to complete their governance requirements to host an AGM every year before 31st of July. Following recommendations by the International Olympic Committee to target 30% of gender representation in decision making within International Federations by 2020, Badminton World Federation membership approved the proposal to ensure geographical and gender representation on the BWF Council.

Establishing a framework that guarantees global board representation and a minimum representation of each gender. And also approving the changes to the constitution to ensure that at least 30% of each gender on council and among representative from each continental region.

They also amended their constitution introducing vetting process and minimum eligibility criteria for elected officials. Other amended passed was limiting the position of the Badminton world Federation to four terms.

Main while with the aim to promote, develop and share experience between African coaches Badminton Confederation Africa organised an online Webinar titled “Challenges facing African coaches and what our African players need in order to compete in Elite Level Competition.”

A total of four participants from South Africa,Uganda, Zambia and Nigeria took part in the meeting in which they shared their experiences, spoke about their challenges and later shared recommendations.

Cricket Namibia Announce Their Coaches Association Committee

Aimed to upskill cricket coaches with the objective to set and maintain standards of cricket coaching in the country Namibia Cricket announced their Coaches Association Committee.

The committee is made up of 5 individuals who are holders of International Cricket Council coaching certificate. Dickson Vambe the founder of Namspire Sports and a holder of the ICC level 2 coaching course, Gerrie Snyman who has been one of Namibia most outstanding cricketer over the past two decades, Riaan Minnie a holder of an ICC level 3 coaching course and Director Of Coaching at APS Cricket and Dee Thakur who was the cricket of the Namibia men’s national teams from 2015 to 2018.

The committee will report to Pierre De Bruyn who the coach of the Namibia senior men’s cricket team. The team will provide more tailored support to promote and support best practice in coaching and coach developing in all areas in the game of cricket.

BREAKING SPORTS NEWS- Zimbabwean Axcil Jefferies To Race In The GT World Challenge European Sprint Cup

Zimbabwean racing driver Axcil Jefferies will race in the GT World Challenge European Sprint Cup that will kick start on 9 August at Misano World Circuit and will end on 11 October at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Jefferies was signed by Madpanda Motorsport and he will partner team principal Ezequiel Campanc in the Sprint Cup, the two will share the number 90 Mercedes-AGM GT3 EVO. The two first Sprint race will be triple header on 8-9 August.

He will get to compete against drivers like Maro Engel, Mikaël Grenier and Andrea Bertolini amongst many other drivers. A total of 14 teams will participate in the GT World Challenge European Sprint Cup.

Our Main Objective Is To Develop The District Women League In The Country- Lekhooa Thabaneng

This past weekend Lesotho Football Association hosted elections for women’s football and Lekhooa Thabaneng was elected as the vice president.

Thabaneng is the founder and coach of Berea Ladies football team that plays in the Lesotho Women Super League WSL. At one point he served as the team manager of Lesotho senior women national team.

Sports Rifle 724 got in touch with Lekhooa and he told us that one of their main objective is that of developing the district league, highlighting that current when teams are relegated in the WSL they struggle to play proper and competitive football since they don’t have lower leagues.

Below is Sports Rifle 724 interview with Lekhooa Thabaneng. Please do not forget to like, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Baholo Motene Is The New Lesotho Women’s Football President

Lesotho Women’s Football Association today hosted elections for the Lesotho Women’s Football Executive Committee and a former player Baholo Motene won the presidency post.

As highlighted by Sports Rifle 724 two days ago Baholo has played for Lesotho Women’s football team, LDF ladies team and is also manager of the Lesotho Women’s Football team.

Motene was contesting for the presidency post against her mentor Puseletso Mokhosi just this alone made the elections exciting. Motene accumulated a total of 48 votes against Mokhosi 30 votes

NEW LESOTHO WOMEN’S FOOTBALL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT
Baholo Motene

VICE PRESIDENT
Lekhooa Thabaneng

SECRETARY
Matlotliso Mporo

VICE SECRETARY
Exinia Mokati

PRO
Tokelo Mosia

MEMBERS
Mapula Matjelo
Khothalang Moletsane
Mohale Bolokoe