SPORTS TIMES OF ZAMBIA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021 19 SIA eager for new Govt’s agenda By ELIAS CHIPEPO AS President-Elect HakaindeHichilema gets inaugurated today, Sport-In-Action (SIA) expects that sport-for-development agenda becomes one of the top priorities of the new government. Executive director enhancement of strategic FranksonMushindu said working relations with the that as an organisation that Paralympics Committee has been implementing and the National Olympic sport-for-development for Committee. the last 20 years, SIA was He said the same should anxiously to hear what be stretched to academies developmental milestones and that SIA called for the leadsports minister strengthened relationships would have in store once between the SCZ and cabinet is announced. sports academies dotted “Our focus as a around the country. sport-for-development “Most sports disciplines organisation has always such as football, netball been on policy-not politics and volleyball are norpersonality, hence we benefiting a lot from look forward to working grassroots programmes with the appointed and in order to produce minister under the in- results that produce glory coming government which to the country, formalising we expect to enhance working relationships is policy formulation and the way to go,” he said. implementation including Mushindu also the revision ofthe National expressed happiness Sports Act of 1975,” he to hear President-elect said. Hichilema in his address Mushindu said there to the nation emphasise was need to revisit the Act on the need to unite the as it was long-overdue. country. He said there was urgent “It is our hope that need to include issues of working with sports how sport, recreation and federations will afford physical education could us the opportunity be developed further to to reduce tension the provide the much needed country is faced with and environment for children increase unity through and young people to mainstreaming sport- exercisetheir right to for-development in key play and recreation at ministries,” he said. •PACQUIAO, also a senator in the Philippines, said he achieved everything he wants to in boxing. community and school Mushindu said SIA levels in our country. was appealing to the new LAS VEGAS - MANNY titles in eight different “We also call upon the government to ensure that Pacquiao has hinted about divisions, the only fighter government, through the the ministries of sport, a potential retirement after in the history of the sport incoming sports minister local government, health he was beaten by Yordenis to achieve that feat. to work at strengthening and education closely Ugas in their WBA Pacquiao hints at retirement His record has now ‘super’ welterweight clash fallen to 62-8-2 following the Sports Council of work together as they the Cuban recovered well on Saturday night. enough to win the fight he had a ‘hard time’ in wanted to fight for the title the defeat to Ugas, who Zambia by building its are inter-related and in and comfortably landed The 42-year-old took and retain the WBA belt the ring, but cut out the tonight in the ring. And was drafted in as a late capacity in various aspects so doing, the creation several jabs as he took Ugas through all 12 he won last year against excuses by the time he got tonight, the champion’s injury replacement for such as human capital, of a strong foundation advantage in the fight. rounds but the judges Abel Ramos. to his press conference. name is Ugas.’ Errol Spence Jr - the finances and facilities. for physical education As the final bell rang, unanimously voted the Pacquiao claimed in his ‘I did my best tonight, The 42-year-old is Cuban’s shock victory is Being the mother body in communities, schools Ugas lifted his arms in Cuban as the winner post-fight interview that but my best wasn’t good widely regarded as one of the biggest of his career of sport-for-development and work setups can be the air in celebration, in Las Vegas, with the his legs were too tight enough,’ said the Filipino the greatest boxers of all to date. – Dailymail. in Zambia, we expect the achieved. knowing he had done Sports Council to be a He said incoming sports scorecard reading 115- during the contest and boxer. ‘No excuses. I time having held world co.uk shiningexample of how a minister would have the 113 116-112 116-112 sports federation should huge task to ensure that in favour of Pacquiao’s govern and be governed,” chief executive officers opponent. he said. or general secretaries Pacquiao, who shares Mushindu said the are remunerated and his boxing career with a Murray routs lucky loser, Kyrgios withdraws from Winston-Salem above would call for capacity built in order for life in politics as a senator reduced tension amongst federations to establish in his native Philippines, WINSTON-SALEM - “It was a strange 45 He said he would rather didn’t feel this was worth to play Andy Murray one administrators but offices of theirown. hinted before the Ugas NICK Kyrgios pulled out minutes before I played rest for the upcoming US the risk of going out there of my good friends,” said most importantly, the bout that he may not fight of the ATP Winston-Salem this match,” said the Scot. Open than aggravate it at a and possibly making it Kyrgios, who stood for again after Saturday night, Open on Sunday night, “I didn’t know if I would regular tournament. worse.” his new conference with a but remained coy about paving the way for Andy be playing tonight. “Obviously I had to Kyrgios and Murray cloth medical wrap on his his future in his post- Murray to breeze into “They said I would play look after my body and were set to square off for left knee. match press conference. the second round with a a qualifier and wouldn’t with a Grand Slam next the seventh time overall Kyrgios’ only win over Europe picks ‘In the future, you may dominating win over lucky play until tomorrow. And week,” he said. “I have with Murray holding a Murray came in their most not see Manny Pacquiao loser Noah Rubin. then they said I would been dealing with knee commanding 5-1 series recent match three years fight again in the ring,’ After a slow start to the play a lucky loser. So my pain the last couple of lead. ago at the Queen’s Club, said the 42-year-old after first set, the former world opponent change three weeks. “I have been in Florida where Murray made his three rookies the Ugas clash. ‘I don’t No 1 Murray found his times in 45 minutes. “With the US Open just rehabbing and training return following his first know. But for how many form and cruised through “Unfortunately for around the corner I just and I came here excited hip surgery. – AFP decades, I’m so happy his opening match, beating (Rubin) he had to play a with what I’ve done in Rubin 6-2, 6-0 in just 58 tough match in the heat to join Solheim boxing. minutes. and then had to come out ‘I contribute a record Murray was initially again.” in boxing also and to scheduled to face Kyrgios Rubin took the court City to unveil Silva, make boxing the top. And but the Aussie withdrew after falling to France’s title defence especially bring honour just before the start of their Lucas Pouille in a two- to my country and the match, throwing Sunday’s hour qualifying final. OHIO - CAPTAIN Madelene Sagstrom of Filipino people. I’m so schedule into chaos. The 34-year-old Murray Kompany statues before Catriona Matthew Sweden, who finished tied proud to be a Filipino and Murray will next face has had to battle injuries selected a trio of Solheim for second at the women’s thankful to all the fans all 13th seeded Frances of his own, with his latest Cup rookies for Team British Open, Celine over the world. Tiafoe, who received a bye one being a groin problem. ‘I don’t know if I’ll into the second round. But that didn’t seem to be Arsenal game Europe’s title defence as Boutier of France and fight again. Let me relax the biennial tournament England’s Mel Reid. Organisers gave Murray a factor against Rubin as MANCHESTER – Saturday’s Premier League twice, left the club last and think about it. I want kicks off next week at the The United States have several different scenarios Murray blasted 11 aces MANCHESTER City will game at home to Arsenal, year. Former captain and to help my people.’ Inverness Club in Toledo, won 10 of the 16 editions before finally deciding and had just three double unveil statues made in the club said on Monday. Belgian defender Vincent In Las Vegas on Ohio. of the Solheim Cup he would face American faults. honour of former players Spanish midfielder Kompany left in 2019 after Saturday night, Pacquiao Europe take on and are favourites, with Rubin, who had to play Kyrgios withdrew David Silva and Vincent Silva, who helped City 11 years at the club. came out flying in the first favourites United States world No 1 Nelly Korda back-to-back matches with saying he had been Kompany outside the win the Premier League A third statue, in round and forced Ugas with newcomers Nanna expected to anchor. just an hour rest between bothered by pain in his Etihad Stadium ahead of four times and the FA Cup tribute to all-time leading on the ropes early on, but Madsen of Denmark, who But Matthew said them. left knee for some time. goalscorer Sergio Aguero, finished fifth on Sunday at last week she had no who left the club at the the women’s British Open, concerns accepting the end of last season after a Ireland’s Leona Maguire “underdogs” tag ahead of decade-long association, and Finland’s Matilda the tournament. will be unveiled in 2022. Castren among the six Joining Team Europe Korda heads US qualifiers for Solheim Cup “The decision to honour captain’s selections. through automatic the three players was Maguire and Castren qualifying were Sweden’s OHIO - WORLD No 1 Nelly Korda heads “This is an incredibly talented group of Team Europe captain Catriona Matthew the list of nine automatic qualifiers who will players, with so much crucial experience to lean will fill out the team with six selections on based on their unparalleled are the first players from Anna Nordqvist, who contribution to the club’s their respective nations to secured her third major represent the United States against Team Europe on as we work to win back the Cup. I’m excited Monday. in the upcoming Solheim Cup in Toledo, Ohio. for the opportunity to lead this team and can’t “I’m really happy with my team right now for transformation over their compete for Europe in the triumph by one shot at combined 31 years at tournament. Carnoustie on Sunday, Korda, the Olympic gold medalist, will be wait to finally get to Inverness.” the 2021 Solheim Cup,” Matthew said in a news joined by Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist landed one of six release announcing the European automatic the club,” City said in a “I don’t think it has German Sophia Popov, statement. really sunk in yet, but it Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, older sister Jessica Korda. The other qualifiers automatic spots on Team Europe by winning the qualifiers. “Congratulations to Anna on her AIG are Ally Ewing, Austin Ernst, Lizette Salas, AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie on Sunday. Women’s Open win and securing a qualified Silva and Aguero are brings tears of joy into Emily Kristine Pedersen currently with LaLiga my eyes just thinking of Denmark and Jennifer Kupcho and Megan Khang. The victory elevated Nordqvist from No 54 to spot on the team. There is plenty of experience The final three players for the 4-6 September No 16 in the World, giving her a spot on Team there and it is great to have Sophia representing teams Real Sociedad and about it,” said Castren, England’s Charley Hull Barcelona respectively, who had her first LPGA and Georgia Hall. event will be named to the team Monday via Europe for the seventh time. Europe for the first time.” picks by captain Pat Hurst. Joining Nordqvist are Denmark’s Emily The Solheim Cup is held every two years. while Kompany is the tour win at the Mediheal The American team is head coach of Belgian Pro Championship in June. set to be announced later “The last two years have been so long and I’m Kristine Pedersen, England’s Georgia Hall and Team USA holds a 10-6 series lead, but Team so happy to finally know who be on Team USA Charley Hull, Germany’s Sophia Popov and Europe prevailed 14.5 to 13.5 in the 2019 League club Anderlecht. – Matthew also selected Monday. – Reuters Reuters Solheim veterans in Toledo,” Hurst said in a news release. Spain’s Carlota Ciganda. meeting in Scotland. – Reuters Zverev adds Cincy Masters to Olympic gold CINCINNATI - ALEXANDEr Zverev backed up his “Today I was able to trust myself and play with The third seed produced 16 winners and broke Rublev stretched her WTA Tour-leading match win tally this Olympic triumph with a fifth ATP Masters 1000 title as he confidence, which was important in a big final. five times. season to 40. crushed Andrey Rublev 6-2, 6-3 in Cincinnati on Sunday. “I’m excited to get matches in tough conditions here in Zverev’s only minor hiccup came as he was broken “I’m very happy with my week, today I wanted to win, The German needed less than an hour against his Cincy going into New York.” while serving for victory leading 5-2 in the second set. but Ash was just too good,” she said. “I felt like I was there longtime childhood friend and rival to lift the trophy and Zverev showed no effects from the stomach discomfort But he closed out the convincing win a game later with in the first set, but suddenly the first set was gone. She put himself into a solid position with the US Open starting which forced him to take a medical timeout during his a timely break back as Rublev found the net with a return. stepped up her level in the second - she was too good.” a week from Monday. draining semifinal victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas on “Until the end I was playing pretty good tennis,” Barty played a near-impeccable match against a first- “The US Open starts in a week’s time, so obviously I Saturday. Zverev said. “I didn’t do a big celebration at the net since time Masters-level finalist, losing serve only once as she want to keep it up and I want to maybe play even better Zverev won his 11th match in a row and his fifth Andrey and I have been best friends since we were 11 or served for victory. there,” Zverev said. against Rublev, a player he’s been playing since their 12. The top seed quickly corrected course, breaking Women’s world No 1 Ashleigh Barty was similarly junior days. “With my Olympic gold and this fifth Masters I’m Teichmann back in the final game to clinch the title in 71 impressive in winning her fifth title of the season at the The German came into the week with six defeats in really looking forward to New York.” minutes. combined ATP and WTA event, cruising past Swiss wild prior Cincinnati appearances, but turned that negative on Although she doesn’t leave Cincinnati with a trophy, Barty, who didn’t drop a set all week, said she hadn’t card Jil Teichmann 6-3, 6-1. its head. women’s runner-up Teichmann departs after a stellar expected her run to the title to be so seamless after she had The Australian, who will keep a firm grip on the No 1 “My first win here was on Wednesday and now I’m week. played only the Olympics since Wimbledon. ranking as the final Grand Slam of the year approaches, holding the title four days later,” he said. The world No 76 beat three top 12 players, including The double Grand Slam champion will on Monday start took control mid-way through the opening set and was “It’s been an incredible week, I had a lot of great four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, fourth seed her 83rd consecutive week in the No 1 spot. never truly threatened. matches. It’s a great feeling going into the Open.” Karolina Pliskova and Olympic gold medallist Belinda The win in her 19th career singles final gave Barty a “It’s been an awesome week, with each match it was Zverev kept his unforced error count to just six, though Bencic of Switzerland. 13th trophy, including seven from her last eight finals getting progressively better,” Barty said. he was out-aced by Rublev 11 to six. But she had no answers as Wimbledon champion Barty appearances. – AFP