Messi received a ceremonial baton

Messi received a ceremonial baton from the president of CONMEBOL giving him “leadership and command of world football.” 🐐🐐

Elena Rybakina gained revenge for her Australian Open final defeat in January as she sunk world number two Aryna Sabalenka to win the BNP Paribas Masters in Indian Wells

The Kazakh player held her nerve to clinch a 78-minute first set before wrapping up a 7-6(11) 6-4 win and her first title since her surprise Wimbledon triumph last summer.

It also helped Rybakina to erase the memory of her defeat to the Belarussian in Melbourne, having taken the first set against her big-serving opponent.

Sabalenka had stormed into the final and looked set to take control when she claimed the first break for 3-2, but her sporadic serving problems returned and a double-fault handed her opponent the break straight back.

As Sabalenka continued to struggle on serve, Rybakina, who beat world number one Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, took control in a 17-minute tie-break and eventually secured the advantage on her sixth set point.

Rybakina built on her advantage by breaking Sabalenka to love in the first game of the second set, then broke again to move to the cusp of victory at 5-2.

Sabalenka suggested one last twist by denying Rybakina in her first opportunity to serve for the match, but the Kazakh made no mistake second time around to wrap up the second biggest win of her career.

source:SABCsport

How inspirational Annie Bothma won ASA national title despite rare disorder

 

Newly crowned South African marathon champion Annie Bothma recently completed the double by winning the Athletics SA national marathon title and the Durban International Marathon despite struggling with a rare disorder.

Bothma suffers from a rare condition known as hypopituitarism, which causes the pituitary gland – situated at the base of the brain – to fail in its production of hormones and subsequently affects the growth of her bones.

Two weeks ago, Bothma won the Durban International Marathon, which doubles up as the ASA national marathon, with an impressive gun-to-tape victory, clocking 2:30:31 as she represented Western Province Athletics.

I have to admit that I struggle medically, physically, and mentally. I published a blog on anniebothma.com to detail my journey, my struggles with the disease, career, and running and encourage people to read it,” Bothma told SABC Sport.

source: SABC sport

Tennis SA urgently seek New CEO

 

Tennis SA (TSA) are still looking for a new Chief Executive with the position advertised after Andre Homan resigned in October after only seven months to pursue a career in commercial sports management.

TSA President Gavin Crookes told SABC Sport filling the post is a matter of urgency.

“I am running around like a headless chicken doing everything alone without a CEO, and I do not get paid. I volunteer my services to TSA and have my businesses to keep an eye on in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

We need a CEO urgently. We are calling on candidates to call the federation, and we will provide them with the job specs to see if they meet the criteria. We would consider someone with experience and a track record in sports administration,” said Crookes

Crookes claims TSA is in a healthy financial state and has started various processes to find a new boss and hopes the process will not drag on for too long.



Source:SABCSports

Real Madrid will look to sign Barcelona target if they fail in their pursuit of Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid have reportedly identified Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, who has been linked with Barcelona, as a secondary option to Borussia Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham.

Silva, 28, has been a vital first-team starter for the Citizens since arriving from AS Monaco for an initial fee of €50 million in 2017. He has helped them lift 11 trophies, including four Premier League titles, so far

A left-footed playmaker renowned for his passing and flair, the 78-cap Portugal ace has been speculated to depart Pep Guardiola's, side since last summer.

Barcelona were keen to snap him up ahead of the ongoing 2022-23 season, but failed to sign him due to financial restrictions.

Source: sportskeedfootball

NBA legend Willis Reed has passed away.

 Willis Reed, a basketball legend who led the New York Knicks to a pair of NBA championships in the 1970s, died Tuesday at the age of 80. 

A cause of death has not been revealed, but longtime NBA reporter Peter Vecsey wrote on Twitter that the Louisiana native had been dealing with congestive heart problems 'over the past year or so.' He had been undergoing rehab in order to walk, Vescey wrote.

Rest in peace Legend 🙏

Kyilain Mbappe is a new France captain

 Kyilain Mbappe has been named as France🇫🇷 captain.

France head coach Didier Deschamps appointed the 24 years old kyilain Mbappe as a captain for France to take over a role following a retirement of Hugo Lloris from international football.

This happened after Raphael Varane and Hugo Lloris announcing their retirement from international football after the world cup so France head coach had to appointed another Captain.