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INDIA DECLARES COMMONWEALTH GAMES; A WORTHLESS VENTURE
BY LIAM MORGAN
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra has reignited suggestions the country will boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham after claiming the event is a “waste of time and money”.
India is considering not sending a delegation to Birmingham 2022 in protest at shooting’s omission from the programme.
But Batra, who is due to meet officials from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) in India on November 14, has hinted there are other reasons behind the potential boycott.
The IOA President, made an International Olympic Committee member in June, criticised what he claims is a low standard of competition at the Commonwealth Games.
“I feel there is not sufficient level of competition, leaving aside two or three sports,” Batra told Agence France-Presse.
“It doesn’t leave anyone anywhere with this low level of competition.”
In an interview with the Indian Express, Batra added: “These Games have no standard.
“For me, these are a waste of time and money.
“We win 70 medals, 100 medals at the Commonwealth Games while at the Olympics, we get stuck at two [medals at the Rio Olympics].
“That means the level of competition isn’t high at the Commonwealth Games.
“It’s not a ranking tournament either.
“So why waste time?
“We should rather go to better competitions and prepare for the Olympics.
President Dame Louise Martin is set to lead the CGF delegation, which will also include chief executive David Grevemberg, to India in November.
In a letter to Batra, seen by insidethegames, Dame Louise highlights three topics they will discuss with Batra and IOC secretary general Rajeev Mehta when they meet in Delhi.
India’s boycott is not directly listed but is certain to be raised during the CGF visit, also likely to include a meeting with Indian Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Dame Louise claimed the purpose of the visit is to “provide any further clarification necessary on the composition and process for determining the Commonwealth Games Sports Programme, recognising the concerns raised by India”.
Legacy from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi is also on the agenda, along with meetings with “athletes, regional sport bodies and federations in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore to present and discuss Transformation 2022 refresh: The Commonwealth sport strategic plan (2019-2022) and India’s engagement moving forward”.
Shooting, while not a compulsory Commonwealth Games sport, has been part of every event since Kingston 1966, with the exception of Edinburgh 1970.
India has traditionally been strong in the sport, winning 16 medals, including seven gold medals, at Gold Coast 2018.
Birmingham 2022 claimed it did not have the facilities to accommodate shooting and was not prepared to host it at the Bisley National Shooting Centre, more than 130 miles away.
Grevemberg claimed that some of the blame for shooting being dropped from the programme for only the second time in 56 years was down to the International Shooting Sport Federation.
insidethegames has asked the CGF for a response to Batra’s comments.
African teams will battle for the remaining qualification spots for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup this weekend as the final round of qualifiers reaches its climax across the continent.
In Kampala, Ghana will attempt to protect a slender 2-1 first-leg advantage when they face Uganda’s U20 girls away from home.
Cameroon are also in a strong position ahead of their return-leg clash against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam after securing a 3-1 victory in the first meeting.
Meanwhile, Benin will fancy their chances of advancing when they host Côte d’Ivoire following a 1-1 draw in Abidjan.
Nigeria’s Falconets are equally close to qualification after earning a 2-0 first-leg victory over Malawi ahead of Saturday’s decisive encounter in Lilongwe.
The successful teams will join the global field for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next year.
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The London Marathon broke the record for the highest number of finishers in a marathon, with 59,830 participants completing the course to surpass the mark of 59,226 at last year’s New York City event.
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe shattered the world record to become the first man to run the marathon in under two hours, followed by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who also breached the two-hour barrier on Sunday.
“To then break the record of the largest number of finishers in the history of marathons underlines the inspirational nature of the London Marathon. We are incredibly proud to have set a new Guinness World Record,” said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events.
In the women’s race, three women ran under two hours and 16 minutes in a single race for the first time ever, as Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa defended her title by shattering her own women ‘s-only world record
-Reuters
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By George Akpayen
The finish line is now in sight in this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and much of the talk has centred on the title race and those at the other end of the table, which surprisingly include last season’s champions Remo Stars.
However, there is another race shaping up among the leading top scorers this season, and this could see as many as six or more players going head-to-head in the final six matchdays.
Top contenders in the race for the battle for the golden boot are Enugu Rangers’ striker, Godwin Obaje and Ikorodu City winger Joseph Arumala, who have scored 11 goals apiece.
On the tails of the top-two scoring individuals are Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars), El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Daddy Abdulrahman, Katsina United’s Uche Collins and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors, all on 10 goals each.
THE PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN
Out of the top-six leading scorers, Obaje, Arumala and Mbaoma have more direct goal involvement. Obaje and Arumala have 11 goals and two assists each, while Mbaoma has 10 goals and assists from 23 appearances, which is the least number of matches featured in among the leading scorers. Mbaoma missed most of the early parts of the season due to bruised ribs.
El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Abdulrahman has made the most appearances among the top-six scorers and has a 12-goal direct involvement (10 goals + two assists).
Obioma is however, the only top-six scorer who is yet to register an assist this season after 26 appearances for Abia Warriors.
Interestingly, Collins is the only top-six scorer who has netted a hat-trick this season so far.
THE CHASING PACK
There is also the chasing pack in the race for the Golden Boot. One of them is Plateau United winger Temitope Vincent Adebayo, who has scored nine goals. Sodiq Ibrahim (3SC), Enyimba striker Chidera Michael, and Igbunu Evwierhurhoma of Warri Wolves.
The variety of players in the chasing pack also makes the race intriguing as they have been consistent goal scorers in recent matchweeks. They are definitely breathing down the necks of the frontrunners.
There are also the outsiders in the race. Jonathan Mairiga of Wikki Tourists, Chidozie Iwundu (Rangers) and Bendel Insurance duo of Kayode Oke, 3SC’s Qamar Adegoke and Alex Oweilayefa – all on eight goals. On seven goals is Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali.
WORTHY MENTION
However, Iwundu deserves a big mention among the top scorers as he is the top-scoring defender. He has made 29 appearances for Rangers and has been booked three times and sent off once.
Iwundu’s goalscoring form from his centre-back role has also been important for his club in their title aspirations this season, and his team will hope his form can continue into the final six matchdays.
No doubt, there will be twists and turns for individual glory in a race that is still wide open. Fixture difficulty, favourable run-in, struggling defences and hunger in front of goal are surely going to be among the factors that would decide who wins this race in an unpredictable league. At this point, nothing is guaranteed as all top marksmen are odds-on to claim the top individual prize.
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