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FIFA, African Union Launch Football Competition for Schools

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$1.5bn FIFA Relief

By Adedapo Adesanya

The world football governing body, Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), and the African Union (AU) have agreed to launch a school football competition across Africa.

This followed a meeting in Kinshasa between FIFA President, Mr Gianni Infantino, and the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mr Félix Tshisekedi, who is also the current Chairperson of the AU.

The two presidents, who had initiated discussions last week by videoconference, met at the Palais de la Nation in the DRC’s capital to further their productive talks of the previous days.

Following their exchanges, both parties agreed that there was the need to use the power of football to improve lives and to harness the possibilities it offers to instil positive values in young people.

On this subject, both the FIFA President and the AU Chairperson agreed to use the framework of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among the AU, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), to organise schools football competition across Africa, which will kick off in the country.

To initiate the project, a protocol was signed on Sunday between FIFA and the Ministry of Sports and Leisure of the DRC.

Speaking on the development, Mr Infantino said, “President Tshisekedi is passionate about football, and I’m delighted that we can work together to give hope to all children across Africa thanks to football.

“Together, FIFA, AU, CAF and our member associations will develop competitions and training for the youth through football, because football is more than a sport, it is a school of life. Through football, you can teach respect for adversaries and rules, learning how to play as a team, how to win and lose.

“With this schools championship, we plan to make these values, which are already strong in Africa, even stronger.”

Subsequently, the FIFA President also had the opportunity to visit the offices of the Congo DR Football Association (FECOFA) and to meet with FECOFA President Constant Omari, the FECOFA executive committee and several representatives of the football community of Congo DR.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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GOtv Boxing Night 33: Microbiology Graduate Boxer, Shogbesan, Vows to Floor Opponent with Tech and Biology

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GOtv Boxing Night 33

Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan, Nigeria’s first graduate boxer, has vowed to use his knowledge of technology and biology to floor Segun Gbobaniyi when they clash at GOtv Boxing Night 33 on 26 April at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Shogbesan, who was discovered at GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, the talent discovery and nurturing initiative that has produced many top boxers, holds a Higher National Diploma in Microbiology, Ordinary National Diploma in science laboratory technology, graduating with Upper Credit at both levels, and has completed the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps programme.

Speaking at his training base in Lagos on Friday, Shogbesan said his knowledge of technology and biology has always helped in the ring and it would be put to use against Gbogbaniyi against whom he would fight in the lightweight category.

“Segun (Gbobaniyi) does not know what is coming. Even if he does, he will not know how to deal with it. In the ring, I am guided by knowledge of technology and biology, both of which I studied in school. Both fields help me in determining what to do when I am in the ring. Segun will not go beyond three rounds. Mark my words,” he boasted.

In the super featherweight division, Sodiq Oyakojo will face Lateef “Latest” Azeez. The super bantamweight category will see a fight between Durotimi Agboola and Sodiq Adeleke. The event will stage to light welterweight bouts. One will feature William “Kaki” Amosu and Emmanuel ‘Ability” Abimbola, while the other will see a clash between Tobiloba Ijomoni and Hassan Kareem. There will also be a female super flyweight female bout Ayisat Oriyomi and Olofintunyi Iyanuoluwa.

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How Does Weather Affect Golf Strategy?

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Golf Strategy

Weather plays a crucial role in golf strategy, influencing everything from club selection to shot execution. Punters have a chance to win on 1xBet betting site when wagering on everything that happens during golf matches too.

Golfers must adapt their approach to optimize their performance on the course based on 4 factors:

  • wind;
  • rain;
  • temperature;
  • and even humidity.

In 1st place, wind is one of the most significant weather factors affecting golf. Everybody can win at the 1xBet betting site when wagering on golf competitions played under various different conditions.

A strong headwind can shorten a shot’s distance, requiring players to use a more powerful club or adjust their swing to keep the ball low. A tailwind, on the other hand, adds extra carry, so golfers may opt for a shorter club to maintain control. Crosswinds demand precision, as they can push the ball off course. Skilled golfers learn to shape shots making 2 things: a fade or draw. The idea is to counteract wind direction.

Playing in rainy conditions

Rain impacts 2 things: ball flight and course conditions. To download 1xBet apk for Android devices is very easy, and here you can also wager on what happens during golf competitions played under rain too.

Wet fairways and greens slow down ball roll, requiring golfers to adjust their approach shots to land closer to the target. Additionally, damp clubfaces reduce spin, affecting shot control. It is also possible to download the 1xBet apk for Android devices, so you can enjoy golf wagers from your tablet and smartphone.

In heavy rain, maintaining a firm grip becomes challenging, making rain gloves and towels essential. Golfers may also need to alter putting speed, as wet greens are slower than dry ones.

Temperature and humidity

Temperature is a 3rd essential factor to consider. Cold weather reduces ball compression, resulting in shorter distances. Golfers often use softer balls in lower temperatures to maximize performance. Conversely, warm weather increases ball compression, allowing for greater distance. Players also need to adjust clothing layers, as restricted movement from bulky attire can hinder swing mechanics. Everyone is invited to 1x Bet register today to wager on the most capable golfers from all over the world.

Finally, in 4th place, we have humidity. High humidity reduces air density, allowing the ball to travel slightly farther. Conversely, dry air increases resistance, leading to shorter shots. While the effect is subtle, professional golfers often consider humidity when fine-tuning their club selection. Golf fans can also try to register today at 1x Bet to wager on their favorite sport.

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Kirsty Coventry Emerges First African, Woman to Head International Olympic Committee

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Kirsty Coventry

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Zimbabwean Minister of Sports, Ms Kirsty Coventry, has been elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

She became the first woman and African to hold the position vacated by Mr Thomas Bach, who has been on the seat for the last 12 years.

The Zimbabwe sports minister and two-time Olympic swimming gold medalist got a stunning first-round win in the seven-candidate contest after voting by nearly 100 of her colleagues in the IOC membership on Thursday.

She gets an eight-year mandate into 2033.

According to reports, the election was the most open and hard-to-call IOC presidential election in decades with no clear front-runner before the vote.

She beat Mr Sebastian Coe, the UK’s two-time Olympic 1500m champion, who oversaw the London 2012 Games before taking charge of World Athletics as well as Spanish businessman Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch, who is currently the IOC’s vice-president; Sweden-born businessman and ski federation president Mr Johan Eliasch; Japan’s Mr Morinari Watanabe – head of the international gymnastics federation; French cycling chief Mr David Lappartient and Jordanian Prince Feisal al-Hussein.

Ms Coventry’s win also was a victory for outgoing IOC president Mr Bach, who has long been seen as promoting her as his successor.

He was also lauded for his role in sporting achievements including navigating the Olympics after the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Paris 2024 Olympics.

“I will make all of you very, very proud and hopefully extremely confident in the decision you have taken,” Ms Coventry said in her acceptance speech.

Her first tournament in the role will be the Milano Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in February 2026, followed by the LA Summer Games in July 2028.

Ms Coventry’s IOC will also need to find a host for the 2036 Summer Games which is expected to be hosted in India or the Middle East.

She will be tasked towards navigating a lot of political and sporting issues necessitated by changing global trends.

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