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NGO Set To Train Nigeria Basketball Coaches

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An international Non-governmental Organisation, NGO with deep passion to promote grassroots sports, Sports Renaissance Africa Partners, SRAP has signed a partnership agreement with Ganon Baker on training of coaches for the development of basketball in Nigeria.
SRAP’s Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Relindis Mbu who disclosed this while interacting with sports journalists in Abuja on Friday noted that with the right coaching and training resources, Nigeria would soon return to basketball’s elite ranks.
She said that the organisation has decided to host a globally recognised coaching workshop with famous basketball skills coach, Ganon Baker in order to achieve this goal.
Relindis stressed that chosing America’s Ganon Baker for such laudable initiative is because the company has been into training and coaching for over three decades; working with the NBA, WNBA, CBA, Euro League, NCAA, NJCAA, U Sports and more. He is a former Nike Skill Development Trainer and Workout Director, among others.
“At SRAP, we are passionate about bringing in experts from the world with a tactical experience that can help develop our young talents.
“The training clinic and certification programme with the renowned Ganon Baker will hold in Abuja at the Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium from August 15 to August 20, and it would be moved to Lagos from August 22- August 27, at the OBN Academy Facility”, she said
According to Relindis, SRAP is working with Baker because of his vast experience in the game and his systematic curriculum that takes young players from zero to pro.
“Ganon Baker is committing to contextualizing his comprehensive Zero-To-Pro curriculum for
basketball coaches and athletes in Nigeria, hosting LIVE sessions in Nigeria at least 4 times a year, as well as LIVE trainings with eligible Nigerian athletes and coaches in his state of the art basketball facility in Florida, USA.
“He has opened up access to his strong network of talent management and within the global basketball ecosystem.
“Ganon Baker’s curriculum is more detailed and comprehensive than any other out there in the basketball space, and available ONLINE and LIVE. His holistic approach gives a coach or player everything they need for their complete physical, mental and emotional development”, said Relindis Mbu.
She added that SRAP would also be working with other stakeholders to ensure better exposure and scouting for young Nigerian talents.
Terfa Akpoyibo, Chief Operating Officer of SRAP, also said that the coaching clinic with Baker would be a continuous programme and would go a long way in developing Nigeria’s grassroots basketball.

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Kenya Keeper Under Investigation For Match-Fixing

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The Kenya Football Federation (FKF) has launched an investigation into allegations that goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has been involved in match manipulation.
The 37-year-old, who plays for Kenyan Premier League club Kakamega Homeboyz, has won over 30 international caps.
His most recent appearance for the Harambee Stars came in October last year, in a qualifier for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
An undated video posted online appears to show Matasi agreeing a deal to influence the outcome of a league game.
“I have spoken to him. He was also shocked at what he was seeing in the video and he told me he doesn’t know about match-fixing,” Homeboyz owner Cleophas Shimanyula told Tidesports source .
The FKF said it would work with world governing body Fifa, the Confederation of African Football and other “relevant authorities” during its investigation.
“We reaffirm our zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and are committed to safeguarding the credibility of our competitions,” a statement added.
“This investigation will adhere to FKF’s anti-match manipulation regulations and Fifa guidelines, ensuring a fair, transparent, and thorough process.
“The rights of the player and his club will be respected, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.”
Shimanyula backed Matasi, pointing to the fact the veteran has kept three clean sheets in as many games since joining the club a month ago.
“When we watched this video, we found that Matasi has not wronged the club,” he said.
“In a video there can misinterpretations and false narratives and we cannot trust everything.
“He will keep playing for us because there’s no wrongdoing on his part as far as we are concerned – unless there’s evidence or the FKF writes to us to say they are suspecting the player of some wrongdoing.
“He is innocent until proven guilty and then we will act.”
The FKF has called on anyone with credible information to assist its investigation, with any reports to be handled with strict confidentiality.
Shimanyula also challenged the Kenyan footballing community to provide evidence against Matasi.
“Kakamega Homeboyz is against any form of match manipulation,” he said.

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UEFA Probes Real Players Over Indecent Conduct

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Uefa has opened an investigation into allegations of indecent conduct by four Real Madrid players during their Champions League last-16 win against Atletico Madrid.
Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Dani Ceballos allegedly made gestures towards the home fans after Real Madrid beat their city rivals on penalties to book their place in the quarter-finals.
TV pictures showed German defender Rudiger appearing to make a throat-slitting motion, apparently towards the crowd after the shootout victory, while Mbappe was shown seemingly making a crotch-grabbing gesture.
Spanish media said Atletico reported the actions to Uefa last week.
The players could be at risk of suspension but there is no guarantee the case will be heard before their quarter-final with Arsenal. The first leg for that tie is at Emirates Stadium on 8 April and the return leg a week later.
In a statement, Uefa said: “[An] ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct” made by the four Real Madrid players.
“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”

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EPL To Have Two Transfer Windows

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The Premier League has announced it will have two transfer windows this summer to allow Manchester City and Chelsea to sign players before the Club World Cup.
The window will open between Sunday, 1 June and Tuesday, 10 June, then close for five days before running again from Monday, 16 June until Monday, 1 September.
This summer features the first expanded Fifa Club World Cup, which involves 32 teams and adopts the format of the regular World Cup of the past few years.
Chelsea and Manchester City are the Premier League teams in the tournament which takes place in the United States from Sunday, 15 June.
But the Premier League can only have 12 weeks of a summer window – hence the five-day break in order to run it until 1 September.
Fifa has allowed new players to be registered for the Club World Cup from 1-10 June, and again from 27 June-3 July for the knockout stage.
This is happening firstly, to bring order to the global registration system, world governing body Fifa only permits the transfer window in any individual country to be open for 16 weeks in any calendar year.
In Europe, precedent dictates four of those weeks are for the winter window, leaving 12 in the summer. In 2024, the Premier League transfer window opened on 14 June and closed on 30 August.

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