Ukraine’s Kharlan disqualified after refusal to shake hands with Russian opponent

Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan has been disqualified after refusing to shake hands with Russian Anna Smirnova at the World Championships in Milan on Thursday.

Kharlan, a four-time Olympic medallist and world champion, won the individual sabre bout 15-7 and then refused to shake hands with her opponent.

Smirnova remained on the piste for over half an hour after the incident, speaking with a number of officials before leaving.

Ukrainian athletes in other sports – including tennis players Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk – have also refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow using Belarus as a staging ground for what it calls a “special military operation”.

In fencing’s rules, shaking an opponent’s hand is mandatory and failure to do so results in a ‘black card’.

“We fully support Olga Kharlan in this situation. We are preparing a protest,” Mykhailo Illiashev, president of Ukraine’s fencing federation (NFFU), said in televised comments.

“We will appeal this decision, because the referee who judged this match did not give directly a black card or disqualify her.

“It was only later that the underhanded games began and this disqualification appeared already after the next opponent was determined, already after a judge for the next competition was determined.”

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ICC U-19 WC Qualifiers: Nigeria Back to winning Ways, beat Tanzania by 42 runs

Toss won by Nigeria and elected to bat first after passionately singing the National Anthem. Not the start Nigeria wanted as 2 wickets fell in 2 overs on 2 runs only. Steady partnership by Damian Okeke and Victor Samuel to see Nigeria finish on 14 runs after 10 overs of Batting power play.

Still under the 50 runs, Nigeria lost 4 more wickets of the top 6 batting order despite building some form or partnership from the 10th over to the 25th. The players still playing with a lot of handbrake made it difficult for the runs to come as Nigeria continued to struggle.

Nigeria finally hit the half century mark after 26 overs. 2 back to back boundaries from Solomon Chilemayan relieved the pressure on the Nigeria bench temporarily as Tanzania continued to bowl spin as they had done from ball one.

Tanzania finally changed to some pace after 33 overs in a bid to break the partnership between Solomon and Sunday Joshua leaving Nigeria with their tournament’s highest score of 78 runs for the loss of 7 wickets after 35 overs.

A priceless 50 runs from Solomon Chilemayan proved to all that this team is capable of playing and Nigeria sat comfortably at 115 runs when Sunday Joshua was stumped out, bringing in Chiemelie Udekwe at Number 10. Basking in confidence, he opened his account with a 6 off long on and a 4 down fine leg. Nigeria eventually finished with 149 all out in 47.4 overs.

Solomon Chilemayan was the star performer with the bat for Nigeria, unbeaten at 66 runs off 80 balls.

Damian Okeke and Ridwan Abdulkareem scored 15 and 16 respectively as the other double figures for Nigeria.

In the second innings, Nigeria decided to play the same script like Tanzania by starting with spin, only that Nigeria rewrote the script even better to leave Tanzania on 43 runs for the loss of 4 wickets after 20 overs.

Tanzania slowly started building a partnership but Joshua Asia was having none of it as he took the 5th wicket with Tanzania on 49 runs midway in the innings.

Nigeria took the 6th wicket off the bowling of Damian Okeke in the 29th over with Tanzania in all sorts of trouble. Relief in the faces of the Nigeria coaching crew and smiles from the supporters as the team looked familiar once again.

At the end of 35 overs, Tanzania were 78 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. The game pretty much went the same way till the 40th overs with Tanzania needing just 6.4 runs per over to win the game but would have to do that with 2 wickets.

Nigeria introduced medium pacer Izuchukwu in the 42nd over to change things a bit but unfazed by it, Tanzania continued to grind and picking up a couple of boundaries in the process.

At 9 wickets for 98 runs in 44 overs, it was a matter of time before Nigeria tasted their 1st victory. In the end, Chiemelie signed off with the last wicket which meant Nigeria restricting Tanzania to a decent score of 107 all out in 48 overs.

Solomon Chilemayan was named player of the match..

Nigeria won by 42 runs..

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New Year: NYCN tells youths to be more involved in governance

Published

1 month ago

January 1, 2025

The Gleamer

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has urged the Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of patriotism, unity, selflessness and prioritizing the collective good over personal interests for the development of the nation.

In a statement he signed and made available to the media in Abuja, Wednesday morning, NYCN President and Secretary Board of Trustees, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, said the New Year represents a fresh start for the nation, presenting both challenges and opportunities that require a collective effort from all Nigerians.

The statement read: “As we enter 2025, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), under the leadership of Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, extends warm greetings to all Nigerians. The NYCN recognizes that this New Year represents a fresh start for the nation, presenting both challenges and opportunities that require a collective effort from all Nigerians.

“As the representative body for Nigerian youth, the NYCN believes that the youth are at the heart of the country’s future and has a crucial role to play in shaping its destiny. Therefore, we seize this moment to reaffirm our commitment to the nation’s progress, unity and active participation in governance.

“The NYCN emphasizes that patriotism is central to our aspirations for 2025. This is a time for reflection on our shared responsibility to Nigeria and to renew our commitment to the nation’s prosperity. Patriotism, in this sense, goes beyond mere loyalty to the country; it embodies a deep dedication to the well-being of the nation and its people. Patriotism calls for unity, selflessness, and prioritizing the collective good over personal interests. This year, the NYCN urges the youth to embrace these values, as they are essential for building a stronger, more united nation.

“This sense of patriotism is not just about support for the nation in general but extends to supporting the government at all levels, regardless of political affiliation. Whether at the federal, state, or local levels, the government plays a vital role in shaping policies that affect the lives of millions of Nigerians.

“The NYCN believes it is crucial for the youth to stand in solidarity with these efforts, not just by offering support, but by contributing their ideas, perspectives, and solutions. Constructive engagement with the government is critical for ensuring that policies are effective and responsive to the needs of the people.

“Active participation in governance is essential. The NYCN stresses the importance of youth taking an active role in shaping Nigeria’s future. Young people must move beyond passive observation and take responsibility for the country’s direction.

“This means seizing opportunities to get involved in leadership roles, participating in policy discussions, and supporting initiatives that promote good governance. It is time for youth to take ownership of their future, contributing innovation, responsibility, and vision to build a better nation.

“The NYCN further urges Nigerian youth to be more involved in political processes. Governance is not just about holding positions of power; it involves engaging in public discussions and influencing the policies and laws that shape society.

“The youth should be actively engaged in policy advocacy to ensure that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed. Whether through voting, volunteering, or holding elected office, young people must play an active and visible role in the political life of the country.”

He added: “In addition to increased political involvement, the government must play its part in creating an environment conducive to youth development. The NYCN advocates for greater investment in programs that promote skill development, create job opportunities, and encourage entrepreneurship.

“The government is urged to prioritize initiatives that provide practical training and equip young Nigerians with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing global economy. Expanding educational programs, offering job training opportunities, and establishing platforms to showcase youth innovation are critical to empowering young Nigerians for the future.

“The NYCN hereby declares 2025 as the Year of the Youth, a time for young Nigerians to step up, take responsibility, and take action. The challenges facing the country require the collective effort of all citizens, and the youth must be at the forefront of this movement. 2025 should be a year of opportunity, transformation, and active participation.

“Let this be the year when young Nigerians come together to contribute to their communities, strive for excellence in their respective fields, and take leadership positions in all sectors of society.

“In closing, the NYCN expresses its sincere gratitude to the Nigerian government, civil society organizations, and all stakeholders who continue to support youth empowerment and development.

“We also reaffirm our commitment to working collaboratively with these partners to ensure that 2025 is a year of progress and success for the nation. The time has come for Nigeria’s youth to rise, embrace their power, and play an essential role in the growth and development of the country.”

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