GYMNAST JADE FAULKNER RELISHES C’WEALTH PARTICIPATION.

Nigeria’s flag bearer in the Rhythmic Gymnastics event, Jade Faulkner has expressed delight in representing Nigeria at the XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.

The 24 year old who is the first female gymnast to represent Nigeria in Rhythmic Gymnastics spoke on how she traced her heritage to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“I did a lot of research into my family history and it made me very proud to be a Nigerian. For so long I’ve been English and white and my coach said it will be nice to embrace this side of me. I’m so proud to compete for Nigeria. It really means a lot to me and It was really good to see so many Nigerians in the crowd.

Faulkner said participating for Nigeria is a dream come true and spoke on her plans for the future.

“The experience here has been amazing. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I’m going to take a break right now and let my body recover and then maybe I’ll try some other sport. I’ll like to change sport in the future so we’ll see what happens.

“I’ve done Gymnastics for a while now and I feel like I’m beginning to pass over my performance. I want to try something new, a new challenge like some Athletics events maybe…,” Faulkner said.

Her Coach Ellen Watson was full of praise for the gymnast who competed in the Team Final and Individual Qualification Sub Division 1- Rotation 1 to 3 came 10th overall.

“I think she really rose to the occasion and now she seems to have embraced her Nigerian roots. She did so well from the very first performance from the hoop routine. She brought a charm and an expression and a personality that doesn’t often get seen in Rhythmic Gymnastics. So we are just so grateful that Team Nigeria have embraced us and taken her on and we feel like part of your family now so thank you so much.”

Watson who said she first met Jade back in 2011 when she was part of the British Olympic team added that Faulkner also has the qualifications to develop Rhythmic Gymnastics in Nigeria.

“She has dual nationalities so she’s obviously got Nigerian passport and competing for the land that her grandfather was born in. I’ve been coaching her full time for about a year now. We have a very good relationship and she’s such a hard working individual so it’s very easy to coach her.

“We will like to push Rhythmic Gymnastics within Nigeria. I think it’s a fantastic sport for young girls and I think that if Jade can help inspire the next generation of Nigerian gymnasts, that can only be a good thing”.

On the possibilities of Faulkner changing her sport soon, Watson said it will all work out for her ancestral home.

Jade Faulkner (centre)

“I don’t know but I think often, what happens with Gymnastics is that Athletes like them because they have all of the upper body strength. At 24, she’s at the upper end of Rhythmic Gymnastics but I know that she’s got a certified coaching qualification so she can still coach alongside and help with your next generation.”

Watson also relished every moment spent with Team Nigeria.

“We feel so good and you’ve treated us like we were born in Nigeria and it’s been a lovely experience. Everybody has been so helpful, so warm, friendly and supportive and that’s what Rhythmic Gymnastics means. It means a good strong African contingent”.

Faulkner, competed in the Team Final and Individual Qualification Sub Division 1- Rotation 1 to 3 came 10th overall after she scored 6.000 points in the Ribbon and 9.800 points in the Hoop. She scored a total of 33.800 points after four rotations.

2018 Commonwealth Games: Nigeria’s D’Tigers Falter against New Zealand…

2018 Commonwealth Games: D’Tigers Falter Against New Zealand; Eye Resurgence Against Canada…

D’Tigers of Nigeria fell to New Zealand in their first game of the XXI Commonwealth Games holding in Australia by 65points to 110.

New Zealand dominated and won all the quarters on a night that the Ike Diogu captained side will want to forget in a hurry as they focus on the next game against North American side, Canada on Saturday.

Ike Diogu

After a close game in the first and second quarters which ended 24-15 and 26-20 points respectively in favour of New Zealand, D’Tigers could not cope with the firepower of the team currently ranked 38 in the latest FIBA ranking in the third quarter as they widened the margin with a 31-8 scoreline before sealing the victory with another 29-22points scoreline to wrap up the game.

Kano Pillars star man, Dike Azouma was the highest scorer for the team on the night scoring 15 points (with an 80% percent success from the 3 point line), 3 rebounds and 1 assist while ever reliable Diogu scored 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Making his national team debut, homeboy, Istfanus Yakubu scored 10 points with just about 14minutes on the floor with the technical crew giving all the players bar Musa Usman a taste of action in the opening game.

Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed

Reacting after the game, Coach Mohammed Abdulrahman who stood in alongside Aderemi Adewunmi for Alex Nwora said that apart from having a good day at the office, their opposition also dominated in rebounds and from the 3 point line.

The head coach of Gombe Bulls Basketball Club conceded that his team met a more experienced team and would have lost if similar circumstance presented itself all over again.

“I don’t think anything went wrong, I think we just played against a team that is more experienced than we are. New Zealand is a combination of players in the professional level and well paid playing this game.

To make it even worse, they had a great day. They shot well from the 3 point line and dominated us in rebounds which played a major role in our defeat.”

According to the former Nigerian international, lessons have been learnt and the team can only get better in their next game against Canada who are ranked 23 in the world.

“The good thing is, we are going to get better going into the next game. We have learnt to know that the only way we can get through this is only if we play as a team.”

D’Tigers

He explained that with better sense of team play and cohesion within the squad ahead of their next game, the team will surely play better.

Despite the bashing against New Zealand, Coach Abdulrahman said the team will approach their game against Canada in a more aggressive style with an aim of recording their first win.

“Our game plan against Canada tomorrow will be more aggressive. We are going to play with much confidence, trust in ourselves and even more importantly play as a unit.”

A loss against Canada will bring their medal chase to an abrupt end even with a game left to play against the host.

Commonwealth Sports Universities Network Launches On Eve Of XXI Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Sports Universities Network (CSUN) celebrates its official launch on the Gold Coast, Australia today, on the eve of the Opening Ceremony for the XXI Commonwealth Games. The CGF partnered with Griffith University to debut the Network, which aims to create a formal sporting partnership between the CGF and, initially, five foundation Universities from across the Commonwealth.

The success of the CGF and Griffith University’s existing Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games partnership was the inspiration behind the establishment of the Network. The CGF and Griffith University have been joined by four additional founding member Universities – the University of Ottawa (Canada), University of Toronto (Canada), University of Johannesburg (South Africa) and Strathclyde University (Scotland) – for the Network’s inaugural meeting on the Gold Coast today.

“The Commonwealth Sports Universities Network is an exciting new initiative that builds on our existing research and internship relationships with higher education institutions across the Commonwealth. The Network will ensure the CGF continues to deliver on one of its strategic priorities, of attracting and building on public, private and social partnerships that widely benefit the Commonwealth Sport Movement and in particular Commonwealth athletes and host cities and communities,” said CGF Vice President, Bruce Robertson.

“There is palpable excitement and momentum with the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Sports Movement as we head in to the Gold Coast Games and beyond. The establishment of this network will strengthen ties as the relevance of the Movement grows. We have ambitions to expand the Network to include Universities all across the Commonwealth, and we look forward to getting started with our work,” added Robertson.

The new Commonwealth partnership forms a core part of the CGF Development Programme and will build on and further integrate the internship, research, and evaluation work undertaken by the Higher Education Sector at Commonwealth Games, maximising opportunities for coordination, knowledge exchange, internship opportunities and research priorities across recent, future and prospective Commonwealth Games hosts.

“This is the first time that a University has taken such a significant role with the organisers of the Commonwealth Games,” Professor Michael Powell, Academic Director, Griffith University said.

“Previously, Universities involved with the Commonwealth Games have provided expertise, volunteers and interns, but never before on the scale and depth of the partnership Griffith University has developed.

The fruits of our existing partnership with Gold Coast 2018 have been abundant and in line with the broad objectives of the CGF, prompting enthusiastic discussions which have led to this new Network’s creation.”

Network members will benefit in a range of ways including global exposure, internship opportunities for students, educational and research opportunities, and international network relationships with other Commonwealth institutions and organisations. The CGF will have the opportunity to learn and gain from new academic research on the Commonwealth Games, innovative internship initiatives and sport development programs through universities across the Commonwealth.

Professor Powell highlighted the successful GAPS (Gather Adjust Prepare Sustain) Program hosted by Griffith University in the build-up to Gold Coast 2018 as a prime example of how University partnerships with the Games can enhance lives and develop athletes in less developed regions.

“We were able to make our world-class on-campus facilities and academic expertise in areas like sport technology and exercise science available to athletes who would not normally have access to these,” he said. “In this way, Griffith engaged with the CGF’s sports agenda. Now, through the CSUN, Griffith and other universities across the globe can do so in a formalised, planned and focused way.”

The Network was launched by CGF Vice President, Bruce Robertson and Vice Chancellor and President of Griffith University, Professor Ian O’Connor AC, at a formal event on Griffith’s Gold Coast campus.

Gold Coast 2018 High Integrity Anti-Doping Partnership Set To Raise The Bar…

Gold Coast 2018 High Integrity Anti-Doping Partnership set to raise the bar for global clean sport effort

The Gold Coast 2018 High Integrity Anti-Doping Partnership got underway for Commonwealth athletes today as the Athletes Village for the XXI Commonwealth Games officially opened. The Partnership will prioritise the rights of clean athletes and ensure a fairness-first, values-centred culture at the Games, which runs from 4 – 15 April on the Gold Coast, Australia.

The Partnership brings together the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the Gold Coast 2018 Organising Committee (GOLDOC) and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA); and aims to set the standard for international major multi-sports event anti-doping programmes through its innovative tri-partite partnership model.

Commonwealth Games Federation President, Louise Martin CBE said: “Athletes and sports fans rightly expect Commonwealth Sport to be a beacon for fairness and integrity on the field of play – indeed these ideals are the very fabric of what our Commonwealth of Nations represents. That is why the CGF and its Medical Commission will leave no stone unturned in its dogged pursuit of fair play in the lead-up to, during and post-Gold Coast 2018.

“Athlete and public confidence in clean sport has been shattered in recent times and so, we, the Commonwealth Sports Movement, must lead by example and reassure clean athletes that we back their rights to legitimate, fair competition, and we must reassure sports fans across the Commonwealth and beyond that what they are witnessing on the field of play is honest, legitimate sport. Above all, I want every Commonwealth athlete competing at the Games to know that when we say zero tolerance to doping, we mean zero tolerance,” added Martin.

Announced in August 2017, the Partnership is a rigorous anti-doping programme designed to protect clean athletes and the integrity of the Games. The Partnership included the establishment of a pre-Games Anti-Doping Taskforce, which has been co-chaired by the CGF and ASADA, and comprised membership from GOLDOC, International Federations (IFs) and Regional and National Anti-Doping Organisations (RADOs and NADOs). By sharing intelligence and conducting testing on athletes prior to their arrival on the Gold Coast, the Taskforce has played a key role in the detection and prevention of doping in the lead up to the Games.

Effective today, and throughout the Games period, the Partnership will ensure a strategic approach to testing, striking a balance between the testing of medallists and target-testing in response to intelligence received from the Taskforce. Crucially, it will also draw on other sources of intelligence, including Australian law-enforcement organisations, in order to investigate all possible non-analytical anti-doping violations, which cannot be proven through traditional scientific testing, such as the possession and trafficking of banned substances.

Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Chief Executive Officer, David Sharpe APM OAM
said: “Clean sport matters for every athlete hoping for their moment at a personal best or a shot at the podium. And now, more than ever, athletes need to have confidence in anti-doping programs around the world. That is why ASADA has worked hard with the CGF and other international partners to deliver a robust and innovative anti-doping program for the Games. This includes the establishment of the first ever formal pre-Commonwealth Games Taskforce to ensure that athletes around the world have been tested before they even set foot in the village and is supported by the first ever sample storage and reanalysis program post Games.

“Importantly, during Games time ASADA will not only conduct sample collection but will also bring its full range of intelligence and investigative skills designed to expand the reach of anti-doping beyond traditional testing. Our work in this area is world leading, and it is a function critical to the future success of the anti-doping movement. I look forward to working with our partners during these exciting Games to help protect the integrity of sport and to allow clean athletes their moment to shine,” added Sharpe.

Australian Minister for Sport, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, said: “The Australian Government is pleased such an important programme is being delivered throughout the Commonwealth Games. The Coalition Government is committed to improving integrity in sport, so all athletes are confident they are competing on an even playing field. I highly respect the role of the CGF, GOLDOC and ASADA as they continue to work behind the scenes to keep our sport clean.”

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Chairman, Peter Beattie said: “GOLDOC is committed to working with games delivery partners to ensure we have fair and equitable games. Every athlete, no matter what their sport, should be rest assured that the Gold Coast will provide a level playing field.”

The Partnership will also implement a comprehensive sample storage and reanalysis programme. For the first time, every single sample collected during the Games-time period, will be tanked in long-term storage facilities, for future reanalysis under the jurisdiction of the CGF.

Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive Officer, David Grevemberg CBE said: “The battle for clean sport has evolved significantly over the years. The CGF recognises that a substance prohibited today might not be detectable through current scientific analysis, yet, with science developing fast, such a substance could be detectable in the years to come. We have implemented a comprehensive sample storage and reanalysis programme for Gold Coast 2018 to send a clear message to doping athletes that if they are not caught through the anti-doping analysis today, they could still be in the future.”

The programme will operate under the CGF Anti-Doping Standard, which is being adapted for Gold Coast 2018 by the Federation’s Medical Commission – chaired by Dr. M. Jegathesan, the CGF’s Honorary Medical Adviser, and Ms. Michele Verroken, CGF Medical Commission Honorary Secretary – in partnership with ASADA and GOLDOC. It is designed to be fully compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code and will serve as “Anti-Doping Rules” to support a level playing field for the 4,600 athletes at the Games. This Standard sets out the rules for the selection of athletes, sample collection procedures and the process for adverse and unusual analytical findings and other anti-doping rule violations.

NBBF RELEASES TEAM ROSTER FOR XXI COMMONWEALTH GAMES

The Nigeria Basketball Federation has released its official team roster for the XXI Commonwealth Games.

The team list compiled by the Technical Crew led by Coach Alex Nwora following months of camping Lagos for the competition was made public today by NBBF secretary, Chimezie Asiegbu.

The team made up of 6 home based players and 6 foreign based players will be captained by Ike Diogu who plies his trade with Henan in the Chinese league.

Diogu who captained the team to a 2017 Afrobasket silver medal finish was also influential in the team’s run of 3 straight wins in the 2nd window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers with an average of 17.7 points made per game.

From the home front, Azuoma Dike of Kano Pillars will be leading the Nigerian legion comprising fellow Kano Pillars team mates Abdul Yahaya and Dung Eli Abraham.

Mark Mentors of Abuja player, Musa Usman will also be on the train to Australia.

Musa who is one of the best ball rebounders in the Nigerian Premier League after missing the world cup qualifiers in Mali was selected for the Commonwealth Games.

The duo of Abdulwahab Yakubu and Istifanus Sylvanus who played major roles in Gombe Bulls’ first ever qualification for the FIBA Africa club championship in 2017 also made the final cut.

After a sterling performance for Stony Brooks in the 2016-2017 NCAA season, Uchenna Ireogbu will be making his national team debut for Nigeria in Australia.

Orizu Prince Ifeanyi plying his trade with the Far Eastern University, Philipines also made the Commonwealth Games team.

The trio of Olantunji Olalekan Graham, Ofoegbu Uchechi Chima and Achiuwa Godsgift Onyekachi will also be joining the team in Australia from their base in the US.

With pre-games camping expected to end on the 22nd, the team will depart for Brisbane on March 23rd, 2018 ahead of their first game against New Zealand on Friday, 6th, April.

Nigeria is in Group B alongside host – Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Coach Nwora will be assisted by Aderemi Adewunmi and Mohammed Abdulrahman.

Ike Diogu

Team List

Ike Diogu (Henan, CHINA)

Uchenna Ireogbu (Stony Brooks, NCAA, USA)

Dung Eli Abraham- (Kano Pillars (NIGERIA)

Azuoma Dike – (Kano Pillars, NIGERIA)

Olantunji Olalekan Graham- (Unattached, USA)

Ofoegbu Uchechi Chima – (Unattached, USA)

Musa Usman (Mark Mentors, NIGERIA)

Abdulwahab Yakubu (Gombe Bulls, Nigeria)

Istifanus Sylvanus (Gombe Bulls, Nigeria)

Abdul Yahaya (Kano Pillars)

Achiuwa God’sgift Onyekachi (Unattached, USA)

Orizu Prince Ifeanyi (Far Eastern University, PHILIPHINES)

Commonwealth Games: Abdulrahman Optimistic About D’Tigers Chances

As the count down to the 2018 Commonwealth Games continues, Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed is optimistic about D’Tigers’ chances of having a good tournament despite describing their group consisting of host-Australia, Canada and New Zealand as the ‘Group of Death’.

Abdulrahman who is an assistant coach in the current national team’s technical setup headed by Alex Nwora said the home based players in camp are already giving a good account of themselves in training and should be ready to face their opponents at the games.

Speaking on Thursday, he said having faced these teams in previous editions of the Commonwealth games, they are pretty aware of what to expect and the threat each country will pose to the D’Tigers.

“Even a layman knows that we are in the group of death. We have played those teams in the past at that same level of competition.”

The head coach of Gombe Bulls basketball club explained that since the competition is not on the FIBA calendar, most players in the NBA and leagues across Europe will not be released for the competition.

He believes that this factor will once again give Nigeria who will be parading a team dominated by players from the local scene, the needed edge when they meet all these depleted oppositions.

“Most times especially at this period, they don’t always have their best players available for that kind of tournament and we are counting on this same factor this time around.

Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed

“We feel that what we have right now are good enough to go and face the category of players they are going parade at this level of the competition because of the timing in terms of NBA and Europe based players who are busy with their clubs.”

He expressed confidence that players will be in top shape judging by the situation in camp after 3 weeks of camping for the games currently going on at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

“The boys have been picking up well and improving. So far, it’s been great. The camping condition has been great as the camp is going on well.”

The XXI Commonwealth Games will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia between 4 and 15 April 2018.