Talking Drums

The West African News Magazine

Sports

African Games Postponed

The long-delayed fourth all-Africa Games have again been postponed and will now be held in 1987, Mr John Kasyoka, a Kenyan official of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA), said in Nairobi. Speaking to reporters on his return from the SCSA General Assembly in Ouagadougou, Upper Volta, Mr Kasyoka said that Kenya had told the assembly that it needed more time to complete a new sports complex being built in Nairobi with Chinese aid.

The third all-Africa Games were held in Algiers in 1978 and ended without any country offering to stage the next games scheduled for 1982. Kenya later offered to host the games in 1986.

Mr Kasyoka said the Ouagadougou meeting admitted two new countries. Botswana and Zimbabwe to full SCSA membership and granted recognition to African Federations for Taekwondo, archery, karate, car racing and chess.

Peter retains title

Ghana's Insurance Corporation (SIC) lawn tennis star, Peter Annan, has retained the grand masters trophy for the fifth time running in the annual three-day grand masters tournament.

The tournament which was organised by members of the Accra Lawn Tennis Club attracted eight top players including second seed Narh Tetteh, who withdrew at the semi-final due to fever.

Squash championships

The Nigerian Squash Racket Association (NSRA) intends to send a team of at least four players to the 3rd World Junior Championship coming up in Canada next April.

But whether this ambition will end up in the breeze or not will much depend on the grace of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

A member of the Association who disclosed the intention to Nigeria's "Sporting Punch" said the All Nigeria Junior Tournament is expected to take place at the end of this month whilst the National Secondary Schools Championships and the 3rd Under 19 Competitions will follow closely. It is during these contests that the best of the junior lot shall be selected and groomed for one whole month before they proceed for the International Competition.

Hasaacas retain SWAG Cup

Giant Killers, Sekondi Hasaacas retained the SWAG Cup, which they have won the last two years. They beat highly fancied Hearts of Oak 1-0 in the annual match at the Accra Stadium. The goal was scored in the 67th minute by adroit, speedster Sam Ayipey.

Except for the controversial goal which held up play for about nine minutes, the match was by all standards a first class thriller.

Hearts of Oak, with a seemingly trenchant attack of Botchway, George Lamptey, Opoku Afriyie, Anas Seidu and Robert Hammond kicked off with great expectations.

But soon Hasaacas took control and with skipper Isaac Paha, Alhaji Bello and Sam Ayipey very austere in defence, midfield and attack respe- tively, the first 20 minutes were a fore- taste of hell for Hearts.

Lagos tournament cancelled

The change of government in Nigeria has led to Association of Tennis Professional (ATP) cancelling a men's tennis competition scheduled to open in Lagos next month.

They said the ATP had written to cancel the tournament, citing "un certainty" caused by the new year's eve coup.

Nigerian athletic team for India

A six man Nigerian delegation will fly to New Delhi, India to take part in the track and field events organised in commemoration of the Jalunda Centenary Celebration beginning January 31st.

The delegation which will comprise five athletes and one official will be led by Mr M.A.K. Ogun, Team Manager. It will include Joshua Kio (jumps), Mary Akinyemi (400m), Ishola Oladipo (400m), Ikpoto Ezema (sprints) and Godwin Mayuku (hurdles). The country's athletes will be competing for honours along with other invited stars from other Afro-Asian countries.

Nigeria at squash contest

Nigeria has been invited to this year's Old Master World Squash Rackets Classic scheduled to be held in Holland from April 23rd to April 30th.

A statement from the Nigerian Squash Rackets Association said in Lagos that the championships would be in three categories - 40 years and above, 45 years and above and 50 years and above.

Meanwhile, 25 players have already been invited. They include A.O. Olumide, Professor Kukoyi, Mrs Sim Oni, Commodore Bolaji Sojinrin, Prince Makinwa Adediran, Nick Onianwah, Fajemism Charles Adeleke, Dayo Wright, Joe Ale, Ale Owoh, Gbenga Martins, Joe Ofunwuyi and Tunde Keshiro.

Others are Chief Fola Alade, B.A. Lawson, A. Abdulmalik Isa Kaita, Blundy Peter Desmond, Vincent Agha, Rtd. Major General David Jemibewon, Adenubi Bayo, Bayo Beckley, Orro Fisher, Bola Oshinbowale, Captain Tunde Elegbede and Lt. Col. M. Rufai.



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