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Revenge not on Klopp’s mind in rematch with Real Madrid
Rematch
Paris, May 25, 2022 Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp will not be thinking about his side’s 2018 final defeat to Real Madrid when he again comes up against the record 13-times winners on Saturday.
Both sides are meeting in the showpiece final match of the 20212022 UEFA Champions League in Paris.
Liverpool lost 1-3 to Real Madrid in Kiev in 2018 with German goalkeeper Loris Karius suffering a nightmare game.
But Klopp’s side have achieved so much since then, including the 2019 Champions League title and a first English championship in 30 years in 2020.
“There’s the feeling that we want to put things right, definitely, but it cannot be the main thought,” German Klopp said on Wednesday when asked about the effect of 2018 on the Paris final.
“If we go there [saying], like `Revenge!’ or `Payback!’, all these kinds of things, it doesn’t work like that. That’s not us.
“We came here to the final in a different way. So, we have to play our way and that’s what we have to try [to do].”
Team captain Jordan Henderson echoed his manager at a press conference.
“We were disappointed with the outcome on Sunday (after the 20212022 English Premier League final match day fixtures). It was tough to take, but I couldn’t be more proud of the lads for this season,” he said.
“The mood is good, to be honest. Training was very good today (Wednesday) and I can see the excitement in the lads.”
Forward Mohamed Salah added: “I am very motivated.
“After what happened with Real Madrid last time and after what happened on Sunday, everyone is motivated to win the UEFA Champions League. Everybody is excited for it.”
Midfielder Fabinho returned to team training on Wednesday alongside defender Joe Gomez after injury, but Thiago Alcantara sat out the session with an Achilles problem and remains a doubt.
Klopp also hailed opposite number Carlo Ancelotti as “an incredibly nice fellow” and hopes people will think that much of him when he is gone.
“I once got asked what I want to have on my gravestone. Honestly, it was like, `He was a nice fella.’ That would absolutely be enough,” the German said.
“That’s actually my only real concern: that I don’t have to knock other people down to be successful. It’s never happened so far. So, I won’t start it
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The BAL (www.theBAL.com) and Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) to engage youth and entrepreneurs during the BAL 2022 Qualifiers and Finals in Kigali; BAL 2022 Finals on Saturday, May 28 at 6:00 p.m. ), ESPNews, NBA TV International, Tencent Sports, TSN, the NBA App, NBA.com, and NBA.com/BAL.
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) and Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP), an organization that invests in entrepreneurs and works towards sustainable transformation through the deployment of scalable and innovative solutions, today announced a partnership that makes ESP an official partner of the BAL and league. Country partner in Rwanda.
The announcement was made today by BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall and ESP CEO Eric Kacou at a launch event at Kigali Arena in conjunction with the 2022 BAL Playoffs and Finals, which kicked off on Saturday and will culminate. with the second BAL finals on Saturday May 28. at 6:00 p.m. CAT / 12:00 p.m. ET.
Through the partnership, BAL and ESP will provide young people and entrepreneurs in Rwanda with learning and development opportunities, basketball coaching and life skills sessions. As part of the partnership, ESP will bring together 150 Rwandan graduates and entrepreneurs for the "Sports Business Future Stars Camp", a week-long professional development and immersion program in the African sports industry to be held in Kigali this week.
“We are very excited to partner with ESP, who share our commitment to inspire, empower and develop the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders in Africa,” said Fall. “Ultimately, our goal is to build BAL into a world-class professional basketball league that will be an anchor for the strong commercial industry of the sport we want in Africa. BAL's impact is felt far beyond the court, and the Sports Business Future Stars Camp will be a great platform to use the transformative power of basketball to bring together young leaders from different backgrounds and give them the tools to excel."
“Rwanda has made significant progress in launching its sports industry, and this sports training immersion program will unlock the potential of young people to secure decent jobs in the industry,” Kacou said. "Our ultimate goal through this innovative partnership with BAL is to develop a new generation of sports leaders for Africa."
ESP joins BAL's list of world-class marketing partners, which includes Foundational Partners New Fortress Energy (NFE), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), NIKE, Jordan Brand and Wilson, and official partners Air Senegal, Attorney General Alliance (AGA) – Africa, Destination Senegal, Envol City and Hennessy.
The BAL 2022 extended season features the top 12 club teams from 12 African countries playing a total of 38 matches in three cities over three months: Dakar (March 5-15); Cairo, Egypt (April 9-19); and Kigali (May 21-28). In the semifinals on Wednesday, May 25, FAP from Cameroon will play Petro de Luanda from Angola at 6pm CAT / 12pm ET and Zamalek from Egypt will play Monastir from USA from Tunisia at 9:30pm CAT. / 3:30 pm ET for the opportunity to advance to the BAL 2022 Finals, airing in Africa on ESPN, Canal+, VisionView TV and Voice of America (VOA) radio, and worldwide on American Forces Network (AFN), ESPNews, NBA TV International, Tencent Sports, TSN, the NBA App, NBA.com, and NBA.com/BAL. Tickets are on sale now in several categories, including group tickets, premium tickets, and standard tickets. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting BAL.NBA.com/BAL-kigali-ticketing.
Location of the 2022 Basketball Africa League Playoffs and Finals - https://bit.ly/3lDPsHb (Credit: BAL)
Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), New Fortress Energy (NFE), RwandAir and Visit Rwanda to support events and activations during 2022 BAL (www.theBAL.com). Qualifiers and finals from May 21 to 28 in Kigali, Rwanda; BAL 2022 Finals on Saturday, May 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. ), ESPNews, NBA TV International, Tencent Sports, TSN, the NBA App, NBA.com, and NBA.com/BAL.
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) today announced a series of youth development, community service and business events taking place during the BAL 2022 Playoffs and Finals, beginning today at the Kigali Arena in Rwanda and culminating with the second final. of the BAL on Saturday, May 28 at 12:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm CAT.
Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), New Fortress Energy (NFE), RwandAir and Visit Rwanda will collaborate with BAL to support events and activations throughout the week. BAL's list of world-class partners includes NFE Foundation Partners, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), NIKE, Jordan Brand and Wilson; and the official partners Air Senegal, Attorney General Alliance (AGA) – Africa, Destination Senegal, Envol City and Hennessy.
The single-elimination BAL Playoffs will feature the top eight teams from the Saharan and Nile Conference group stages of the league staged in Dakar, Senegal (March 5-15) and Cairo, Egypt (March 5-15). April 9 to 19), respectively. Tickets for the BAL Playoffs and Finals are now on sale in several categories, including group tickets, premium tickets and standard tickets. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting BAL.NBA.com/BAL-kigali-ticketing.
Below are the highlights of the week's events and activations:
French Development Agency (AFD)
BAL will collaborate with AFD to promote “Alley-Oop Africa”, an original documentary series and awareness campaign for African youth that highlights how sports and athletes can drive positive behavior change in support of sustainable development, health and gender equality. Twenty boys and girls from seven African countries participated in the filming of the docuseries in March 2022, several of whom will be involved in basketball and youth development activities during the BAL qualifiers and finals. The docuseries will air later this year with additional details and distribution plans to be announced at a later date.
rwandair
Returning as the Official Airline Partner of the BAL 2022 Qualifiers and Finals, RwandAir is facilitating travel to and from Kigali for BAL teams, staff and guests.
BAL Environmental Service Day
BAL's first Environmental Service Day projects were held at Umusambi Village in Kigali from May 19-20. Seven BAL teams attended the event, where they explored Umusambi Village and planted tree seedlings as part of the league's Three for Trees initiative in partnership with NFE. For every 3-pointer made during the BAL season, the BAL and the NFE will donate three trees to be planted in the home country of the BAL team with the most 3-pointers made during the season.
BAL4Her
The third BAL4Her Day, in partnership with Visit Rwanda, will take place tomorrow and will bring together 50 young women from six local organizations to participate in a workshop and networking session with leading women from the sports industry focused on developing careers. on the sport. The workshop will include a panel discussion with NBA Vice President and Country Manager for Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu, and group discussions with 13 women from the sports industry. Following the workshop, participants will engage in a networking session with BAL staff before receiving a VIP experience on game day at the Zamalek - SLAC game.
BAL Coaches Clinic
On Sunday, May 22 and Monday, May 23, Indiana Pacers Assistant Coach Lloyd Pierce and Detroit Pistons Assistant Coach Bill Bayno will lead a BAL Coaches Clinic for more than 70 basketball coaches from the local community . The clinic will offer tools and strategies to help coaches improve their basketball player development curriculum. Trainers unable to attend in person can also join the clinic via Zoom by registering here.
BAL Innovation Summit
BAL's inaugural Innovation Summit in conjunction with Africa Day on Wednesday 25 May will bring together African leaders from business, entertainment, sports, social entrepreneurship and more to discuss the tremendous opportunities for growth on the continent. Taking place at the Kigali Convention Center, the event will highlight Africa's creative identities through the lens of arts, culture, heritage, business and innovation, and mobilize people who have the power to unlock opportunities and build towards a stronger world. and a more connected Africa of tomorrow.
Elevated BAL display
The inaugural BAL Elevate Showcase will feature top NBA Academy Africa prospects taking on the Rwanda U-23 National Team at the Kigali Arena on Friday, May 27 at 9:30pm (CAT). The game, which will showcase the next generation of African players, will be broadcast live in Africa on ESPN Africa, Canal + and Visionary TV, in the US on ESPN+ and worldwide on NBA TV International. The game will also be streamed live on the NBA app, NBA.com and NBA.com/BAL.
In the opening match of the BAL 2022 Playoffs, Petro de Luanda from Angola (4-1) will face AS Salé from Morocco (3-2) at 8:30 am ET / 2:30 pm CAT, followed by REG from Rwanda (4-1) vs. FAP Cameroon (2-3) at noon ET / 6 pm CAT. The quarterfinals continue tomorrow with Tunisia's Monastir USA (4-1) taking on South Africa's Cape Town Tigers (2-3) at 8:30 am ET / 2:30 pm CAT, followed by defending BAL champion Zamalek of Egypt (5-0) against SLAC of Guinea (2-3) at noon ET / 6 pm CAT.
The winners of the quarterfinal matchups will meet in the semifinals on May 25 for a chance to advance to the BAL 2022 finals, which will air in Africa on ESPN, Canal+, VisionView TV and Voice of America radio ( VOA), and worldwide on American Forces Network (AFN), ESPNews, NBA TV International, Tencent Sports, TSN, the NBA App, NBA.com and NBA.com/BAL.
Promotional video of the 2022 Basketball Africa League qualifiers and finals - https://bit.ly/38BLyf9 (Credit: BAL)
The U.S. GreenTech business delegation today toured Corteva Agriscience's (www.Corteva.com) Met Bera seed production facility and saw firsthand the company's latest agricultural advancements, including hybrid silage and grain solutions industry leading company.
The visit was part of an official national mission initiated by the US Chamber of Commerce (https://bit.ly/37Vm8IO), in partnership with AmCham Egypt (https://www.AmCham.org.eg/ ), comprised of representatives from the US Departments of State, Commerce, and Energy, and US companies in finance, healthcare, construction, agriculture, digital, and aviation, among others. This initiative further demonstrates the United States' continued support for Egypt's green growth, climate adaptation, and resilience priorities, ahead of COP27, which will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh in November of this year.
“The agricultural sector is critical for Egypt as it accounts for about 15% of Egypt's gross domestic product (GDP) and is responsible for 28% (https://bit.ly/3wCgnrL) of the country's employment,” says Tarek El. Azab, Middle East and North Africa Business Unit Leader, Corteva Agriscience. “Egypt's goal is to increase production by 30% by 2024 (https://bit.ly/3wE2V6M), in an effort to further strengthen the food security of its 106 million citizens. This aligns with Corteva's ongoing ambition to create a food-safe future for generations to come, through constant innovation and collaboration."
In addition to launching new leading grain and rice herbicides, fungicides and bematicides incorporating Rinskor™, Arylex™, Reklamel™ and Zorvec™ actives, Corteva Agriscience, which has been operating in the Middle East and Egypt for over 40 years, serves to farmers nationwide through the Pioneer® brand for seeds and through a variety of award-winning crop protection brands.
These include Pallas™ 45 OD and Broadway™ Star and Rainbow® herbicides, as well as insecticides, Tracer® 240 EC with Spinosad™ active, Radiant® 120 SC with Spinetora™ active, Closer® 240 SC with Isoclast™ active, Transform® 500 WG with Isoclast™ active and Uphold® 360. Fungicides, Equation Pro® and Curzate R® are also available in the country.
Added to this, Corteva Agriscience provides farmers and growers with a diverse and balanced portfolio of new and differentiated technologies and solutions that promote sustainability through reduced use rates and fewer field applications. Corteva's recently announced biologics collaborations further support the company's efforts. Derived from living organisms, biologics, when used in conjunction with conventional crop protection solutions, can help promote soil health and optimize farm operations.
"On our visit to the Corteva seed plant, we saw first-hand a leading American company that is having a huge positive impact on both Egyptian family farmers and the country's economy and food security," said Steve Lutes, Vice President for Middle East Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce "By bringing its innovation and best practices to Egypt, Corteva is working as a partner to help Egypt pursue a sustainable and resilient future in its agricultural sector."
Corteva Agriscience also recently opened a Center for Applied Seed Technologies (CSAT) laboratory (https://bit.ly/3sHBsQu) in South Africa, strategically positioned to meet the ongoing demands of grain growers in Africa Middle East (AME) , including Egypt. , ensuring that farmers have access to high quality seeds and better performance in the field. Seed treatments involve the application of chemical or biological substances, such as fungicides or insecticides, directly to the surface of a seed; improve plant health and germination rates, and help preserve biodiversity and promote sustainable agriculture.
In addition to this, the company provides solutions in advanced seed breeding, helping crops resist extreme conditions that threaten food production, as well as thrive, enabling healthy harvests in the face of drought, insects and pests. diseases. Corteva also offers growers an industry-leading portfolio of natural and nature-derived products, such as its Inatreq™ active fungicide and its Spinosad-based approved organic insect controls.
Corteva Agriscience Cairo currently serves as the region's business hub, promoting farmer productivity and food security in Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
Liverpool beat hosts Southampton to take title race to final day
Match
London, May 17, 2022 Liverpool ensured the English Premier League title race will go to the final day of the season by coming from behind to beat Southampton 2-1 at St Mary’s on Tuesday.
Joel Matip’s crucial second-half winner moved the Reds a single point behind leaders Manchester City to set up a tantalising finale on Sunday.
Jürgen Klopp’s men knew they had to be victorious on the south coast to remain in contention to become top-flight champions for only the second time in 32 years.
But they were stunned by Nathan Redmond’s superb solo opener.
However, the much-changed visitors controlled proceedings for almost the entire evening and levelled through former Saints loanee Takumi Minamino.
Then, Matip completed the turnaround with the aid of a deflection off Kyle Walker-Peters.
The Reds, who remain in contention for an unprecedented quadruple, will welcome Wolves to Anfield in five days’ time.
They will be hoping Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa can do them a major favour away to Manchester City.
The defeat for 15th-placed Southampton was an eighth in 11 games.
Klopp bemoaned the scheduling of this must-win fixture due to it coming three days after the Reds’ gruelling FA Cup final win over Chelsea.
The German opted for nine changes from that penalty kick shootout success, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker and defender Ibrahima Konate the only men retained.
Sadio Mane joined injured duo Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah in being given the night off.
His rejigged side enjoyed plenty of early possession but were rocked by Redmond’s fine 13th-minute effort.
After Lyanco dispossessed Diogo Jota just outside Saints’ box, Redmond received the ball from Nathan Tella and ran almost half the length of the pitch.
He then cut in from the left and delightfully curled home from the edge of the area via a slight deflection off James Milner.
Klopp felt the robust challenge on Jota was a foul and he had cause for further frustration minutes later.
This was when Roberto Firmino’s precise headed finish from a Kostas Tsimikas free-kick was flagged for offside.
Choruses of “God Save the Queen” rang out from sections of the home support.
This was in view of the fallout of Liverpool fans booing the national anthem at Wembley at the weekend before the visitors soon levelled.
Japan international Minamino claimed the 27th-minute equaliser.
He beat recalled Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy at his near post with a powerful, rising drive into the roof of the net after being expertly slipped in by Jota.
Liverpool were forced into a change at the break as captain Jordan Henderson replaced the injured Joe Gomez, pushing the versatile Milner to right-back.
The enforced alteration had little impact on the flow of the game and, after going close through Jota and Harvey Elliott, the visitors decisively edged ahead in the 67th minute.
Tsimikas’ outswinging corner-kick from the left was inadvertently flicked on by Saints winger Mohamed Elyounoussi.
Matip held off Walker-Peters to send a looping header beyond McCarthy and into the right corner in front of the delirious travelling fans.
Southampton rarely threatened a costly equaliser, although Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson fumbled a Redmond effort from distance late
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Ensuring that the private sector can gain access to markets and compete on equal terms with government-run businesses is vital for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries to create jobs in a region with the highest youth unemployment. highest in the world, according to a new World Bank Report. The report, titled "Jobs Undone: Reforming the Role of Governments Towards Markets and Workers in the Middle East and North Africa," offers policy recommendations on how MENA governments can overcome the ongoing labor market stagnation that undermines economic development and social progress for a decade after the Arab Spring uprising. Crippling unemployment, especially among MENA youth and women, requires a more prominent and vibrant private sector, as well as regulatory reforms for labor and product markets, the main report says. "This report argues that governments must reshape their relationships with the private sector, with workers and, just as important, with women," said Ferid Belhaj, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa. "Instead of being active in economic sectors, the state must enable a well-regulated competitive private sector. Instead of controlling worker transitions through an outdated labor code, the state must rethink its social protection and market programs And instead of policing the legacy of some historical and social norms, the state in the MENA region should be the faithful guardian of gender equality." Employment in MENA countries grew by one percent per year on average within private sector companies, which is much lower than the five percent average among their middle-income peers. The female labor force participation of 20% is the lowest in the world, along with the high rate of youth unemployment estimated at 26%. Using two rounds of World Bank Enterprise Surveys (WBES) available for the first time for the MENA region, the report offers a new perspective on the challenges facing the development of the private sector that is crucial for job creation. In particular, the report shows how the number and quality of jobs in the economy depend on contestable markets, ones where companies enter and exit easily and where there is always the pressure of potential competition. Presents new evidence on product market regulations, covering policies that promote or inhibit market competition, in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and the West Bank/Gaza that for the first time allows comparisons within MENA and with 51 countries outside the region. Most economies in the region lack market competition, says the report, and one of the main reasons is state-owned companies that play a dominant role and receive preferential treatment with respect to taxes, financing and subsidies. . Furthermore, many MENA countries have agencies that act both as government regulators and as operators in state-owned enterprises, which weakens competition, while price controls and subsidies reduce incentives for private sector participation. MENA countries also remain reliant on middle-skilled occupations, possibly driven by their very large public sectors, with workers performing significantly fewer tasks that require essential skills for the jobs of the future, such as cognitive (technical) and socio-behavioral skills of the order of the future. superior. skills, according to the report. "Governments in the MENA region can avoid another lost decade for current and future generations, by enacting courageous and politically feasible reforms," said report co-author Federica Saliola, Senior Economist at the Social Protection and Employment Global Practice. of the World Bank. "The COVID-19 pandemic, difficult as it has been, is an opportunity to support a resilient and inclusive recovery that creates better jobs while addressing both the immediate devastation caused by the disease and longer-term challenges." To improve market competition, the report says governments need to reduce the dominance of state-owned companies, for example by removing exclusions and exceptions from competition, takeover and tax laws that apply to private operators. The report also calls for reforms in some countries to address restrictions on women working in specific industries, as well as limited working hours for women, unequal pay compared to men, and the need for women to obtain work permits. of the spouse to get a job. "A dynamic private sector is the cornerstone of good jobs," said co-author Asif Islam, a senior economist at the World Bank's MENA Office of the Chief Economist. "Entrepreneurship and innovation can propel economies down serendipitous paths of prosperity. Young people are energized as they engage in the private sector, learning valuable skills and gaining a sense of purpose as they become stewards of their own destiny." But for far too long, this has not been the case for the Middle East and North Africa region." Noting possible political and social opposition to such reforms, the report advocates a gradual approach to structural changes, initially focusing on emerging sectors such as the digital economy and the green economy, which have fewer incumbents and powerful interest groups, to minimize political challenges. To demonstrate the opportunities that already exist, the report includes seven case studies of young entrepreneurs who have launched job-creating businesses in recent years, despite the challenging environment made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. The case studies document how these men and women from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the West Bank/Gaza overcame obstacles, including difficulty obtaining financing and burdensome regulations, to start their businesses.
The BAL (theBAL.com) and Envol City will attract fans in Senegal starting next season; The top eight BAL teams will compete in the BAL Playoffs and Finals in Kigali, Rwanda from May 21-28.
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) and Envol City, an innovative real estate project in the exclusive Diamniadio district of Dakar, Senegal, today announced a multi-year partnership that makes Envol City an Official Partner of the BAL and a Country Partner of the league. in Senegal. .
Beginning with the BAL 2023 season, BAL and Envol City will collaborate on fan engagement initiatives showcasing the convergence of sport, music, food, art and fashion, including at BAL Fan Zones during games in Dakar. BAL's first Fan Zone was held in Dakar from March 5-15 and featured a DJ, live musical performances, food stalls, merchandise sales, opportunities to meet NBA and basketball legends, and plus. Envol City branding will also be visible on the BAL pitch and in broadcasts during the BAL 2022 Playoffs, which will feature the top eight teams from the league's Sahara and Nile Conferences competing in a single-elimination tournament and Finals. at Kigali Arena in Rwanda starting May 21. -28.
“We are pleased to partner with Envol City to engage BAL's passionate fans in Senegal while shedding light on Africa's ability to be a world leader in sports and entertainment,” said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall. “Envol City shares our commitment to a future for Africa built on modernity and innovation, and we look forward to working together to use the convening and transformative power of sports to deliver memorable experiences for BAL fans and guests.”
"Envol City is an innovative and modern real estate project, firmly focused on the future," said Moctar Thiam, CEO of Envol City. “Our vision for Africa in the future is ambitious, innovative and a symbol of excellence. Therefore, it is natural for us to establish a partnership with BAL, a well-established brand on the continent and beyond. Through our strong partnership with BAL, we want to set an example for Pan-African youth and create bridges that build the path towards a common vision for the future of Africa.”
Envol City joins BAL's list of world-class marketing partners, which includes Foundational Partners New Fortress Energy (NFE), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), NIKE, Jordan Brand and Wilson, and official partners Alley-Oop Africa , Attorney General Alliance (AGA) – Africa, Destination Senegal and Air Senegal, Flutterwave and Hennessy.
The BAL 2022 extended season features the top 12 club teams from 12 African countries playing a total of 38 matches in three cities over three months: Dakar (March 5-15); Cairo, Egypt (April 9-19); and Kigali (May 21-28). The BAL is reaching fans in 215 countries and territories in 14 languages through free and pay television broadcast partnerships with Canal +, ESPN, NBA TV, Tencent Sports, TSN, American Forces Network (AFN), Voice of America ( VOA), TV5Monde and VisionView TV and live streaming on the NBA app, NBA.com and NBA.com/BAL.
The BAL 2022 Playoffs will kick off on May 21 at 8:30 am ET / 2:30 pm CAT when Petro de Luanda of Angola (4-1) take on AS Salé of Morocco (3-2), followed by REG of Rwanda (4-1) vs. FAP Cameroon (2-3) at noon ET / 6 pm CAT. The quarterfinals will continue on May 22 with the USA's Monastir of Tunisia (4-1) taking on the Cape Town Tigers of South Africa (2-3) at 8:30 am ET / 2:30 pm CAT, followed by defending BAL champion Zamalek of Egypt (5-0) against SLAC of Guinea (2-3) at noon ET / 6 pm CAT.
The winners of the quarterfinal matchups will meet in the semifinals on May 25 for a chance to advance to the 2022 BAL Finals, which will take place on May 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET/6 :00 pm CAT and will be broadcast in Africa on ESPN. Canal+, VisionView TV and VOA radio, and around the world on AFN, ESPNews, NBA TV International, Tencent Sports, TSN, the NBA App, NBA.com and NBA.com/BAL.
Basketball Africa League 2022 Playoffs/Finals Promotional Spot: https://bit.ly/3wmEhaD (Credit: BAL)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić has been named the 2021-22 Kia NBA MVP, the NBA (www.NBA.com) announced today.
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This is the second Kia NBA MVP award for Jokić, who also earned the honor last season. Becomes the 13th player to win the award in consecutive seasons, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Stephen Curry, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Moses Malone, Steve Nash and Bill. Russell.
Jokić received 875 points (65 first-place votes) from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid finished second with 706 points (26 first-place votes). Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo finished in third place with 595 points (nine first-place votes), followed by Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker in fourth with 216 points, and Dallas shooting guard Mavericks, Luka Dončić, in fifth place with 146 points. Players received 10 points for each first-place vote, seven points for each second-place vote, five points for each third-place vote, three points for each fourth-place vote, and one point for each fifth-place vote.
This is the first time that both the top three and four of the top five in Kia's NBA Most Valuable Player Award voting are international players, with Jokić (Serbia), Embiid (Cameroon) and Antetokounmpo ( Greece) in the top three. and Dončić (Slovenia) joining them in the top five. Jokić is the second European player to win the award more than once, joining Antetokounmpo, MVP in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
In his seventh NBA season, Jokić averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.47 steals and 0.85 blocks per game, setting career highs in every category except assists (second most high). Jokić, who appeared in 74 games and averaged 33.5 minutes, ranked sixth in the NBA in points, second in rebounds, eighth in assists, 12th in steals and 33rd in blocks per game. He led the league in total rebounds (1,019) and total defensive rebounds (813). His career-high 58.3 field goal percentage was the eighth-highest in the NBA.
Jokić, 27, became the first player in NBA history to record at least 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists in a season and the first player to average at least 25.0 points, 13.0 rebounds. and 6.0 assists in a season. He led the NBA in triple-doubles with 19 and double-doubles with 66, both single-season records for a Nuggets player.
Jokić earned his fourth consecutive NBA All-Star selection and his second consecutive All-Star start. He was twice named Kia's NBA Western Conference Player of the Month (January and March/April) and NBA Western Conference Player of the Week (January 24 and April 4).
Behind Jokić, the Nuggets (48-34) qualified for the NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel for the fourth straight season. With Denver trying to clinch a playoff berth at the end of the season, Jokić averaged 35.7 points, 16.3 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.14 steals in his last seven games.
The Nuggets selected Jokić with the 41st overall pick during the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. Last season, he became the lowest-drafted player to win the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award. Kia, with the exception of three-time winner Moses Malone, who was not selected in the NBA Draft.
Jokić will receive a special edition 75th anniversary commemorative trophy today to celebrate the honor, in addition to the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award, which he will receive later. Composed of a solid crystal basketball, the commemorative trophy features the 3D laser-engraved NBA 75 logo suspended in its center.
Voting results for the 2021-22 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award are below. The vote was tabulated by the independent accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP. Complete ballots for each voter will be posted on PR.NBA.com after the announcement of all end-of-season awards.
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VOTING RESULTS: 2021-22 KIA NBA MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD |
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Player (Team) |
1st place votes (10 points) |
2nd place votes (7 Points) |
3rd place votes (5 points) |
4th place votes (3 points) |
5th place votes (1 point) |
total points |
|
Nikola Jokic (Denver) |
Sixty-five |
27 |
6 |
two |
0 |
875 |
|
Joel Embiid (Philadelphia) |
26 |
39 |
3. 4 |
one |
0 |
706 |
|
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee) |
9 |
32 |
52 |
7 |
0 |
595 |
|
Devin Booker (Phoenix) |
0 |
one |
8 |
49 |
22 |
216 |
|
Luka Doncić (Dallas) |
0 |
one |
0 |
32 |
43 |
146 |
|
Jayson TatumBoston |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
19 |
43 |
|
Ja Morant (Memphis) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
one |
7 |
10 |
|
Stephen Curry (Golden State) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Chris Paul (Phoenix) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
two |
two |
|
DeMar DeRozan (Chicago) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
one |
one |
|
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
one |
one |
|
Kevin DurantBrooklyn |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
one |
one |
Below is Kia's list of NBA Most Valuable Player Award winners.
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KIA NBA MVP WINNERS |
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1955-56 - Bob Pettit, St. Louis 1956-57: Bob Cousy, Boston 1957-58: Bill Russell, Boston 1958-59 - Bob Pettit, St. Louis 1959-60 - Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 1960-61 - Bill Russell, Boston 1961-62 - Bill Russell, Boston 1962-63 - Bill Russell, Boston 1963-64: Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati 1964-65 - Bill Russell, Boston 1965-66 - Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 1966-67 - Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 1967-68 - Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 1968-69: Wes Unseld, Baltimore 1969-70 - Willis Reed, New York 1970-71: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee 1971-72: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee 1972-73: Dave Cowens, Boston 1973-74: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee 1974-75 - Bob McAdoo, Buffalo 1975-76: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LA Lakers 1976-77: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LA Lakers 1977-78: Bill Walton, Portland |
1978-79 - Moses Malone, Houston 1979-80: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LA Lakers 1980-81: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 1981-82 - Moses Malone, Houston 1982-83 - Moses Malone, Philadelphia 1983-1984 - Larry Bird, Boston 1984-1985: Larry Bird, Boston 1985-1986: Larry Bird, Boston 1986-87: Magic Johnson, LA Lakers 1987-88: Michael Jordan, Chicago 1988-89: Magic Johnson, LA Lakers 1989-90: Magic Johnson, LA Lakers 1990-91: Michael Jordan, Chicago 1991-92: Michael Jordan, Chicago 1992-1993: Charles Barkley, Phoenix 1993-94: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston 1994-95 - David Robinson, San Antonio 1995-96: Michael Jordan, Chicago 1996-97: Karl Malone, Utah 1997-98: Michael Jordan, Chicago 1998-99: Karl Malone, Utah 1999-00: Shaquille O'Neal, LA Lakers 2000-01: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia |
2001-02: Tim Duncan, San Antonio 2002-03: Tim Duncan, San Antonio 2003-04: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota 2004-05: Steve Nash, Phoenix 2005-06: Steve Nash, Phoenix 2006-07: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas 2007-08: Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers 2008-09: LeBron James, Cleveland 2009-10: LeBron James, Cleveland 2010-11: Derrick Rose, Chicago 2011-12: LeBron James, Miami 2012-13: LeBron James, Miami 2013-14: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City 2014-15: Stephen Curry, Golden State 2015-16: Stephen Curry, Golden State 2016-17 – Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City 2017-18: James Harden, Houston 2018-19: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee 2019-20: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee 2020-21: Nikola Jokic, Denver 2021-22: Nikola Jokic, Denver |
The independent international group Clowns Without Borders (CWB) and UNHCR have partnered to bring laughter and happiness to refugee children in the Tongogara refugee camp and Chipinge district communities as a prelude to World Refugee Day commemorations, which will take place on June 20.
Clowns Without Borders was created in 1993 to address the suffering caused by the war in the former Yugoslavia, especially children. They are professional clowns or circus performers who volunteer their time and talents. From April 28 to May 6, three artists from the CWB Spanish brand performed daily shows in the refugee camp and primary schools in various villages in the Chipinge district.
"The importance of bringing happiness to children and forgetting the stresses in their lives, even for a short time, is crucial to building their resilience. Making a child smile is a wonderful gift," says UNHCR Representative in Zimbabwe, Abdoulay Barry.
Clowns offer an opportunity for parents and children to smile. They both laughed and clapped during the hour-long shows filled with music, magic tricks, acrobatics, dancing, comedy and of course plenty of opportunities for kids to get involved in the fun. For a few hours, everyone forgets about their problems.
Donald B. Lehn, one of the three clowns who arrived in Zimbabwe, was "amazed by the sociability of the children in the Tongogara refugee camp and their ability to learn the keys to how to enjoy the show. There are places you go where kids don't know how to react. They get so excited that it's a challenge to do the show. But these kids pick up our games very quickly, they laugh, they understand the subtleties of our humor, and they value expressions of the skills we share."
The aid organization has worked with UNHCR in many countries with refugees, including Ethiopia, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, Colombia, Jordan, Syria, Ukraine, Lebanon and Greece. Over the years, CWB performances have provided healing, emotional support, laughter, and community involvement.
Research commissioned in February 2017 by CWB at the Autonomous University of Barcelona showed that CWB programs had a measurable effect on children's emotional state and symptoms related to depression, post-traumatic stress, and behavioral conflict. The effect was measured 11 weeks after the NGO had acted in different settings, indicating that the positive effects were sustained at least during this period.
Leonie Mwiro, a refugee and single mother from the DRC, was delighted with the show: "You can see that the children are happy with this initiative that helps them relieve stress." She has been in Tongogara for the past eight years and "this is the first time we have seen something like this." The Tongogara refugee camp hosts more than 15,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Almost half of them are children. Many were not born when their parents fled their countries in search of safety. Javier González, one of the clowns who performed in Zimbabwe, stated: "We came here to create good memories for these children and their parents."
The Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) expects that at least 10,000 faithful will go on pilgrimage from Nigeria in 2022.
The 2022 pilgrimage begins in Nigeria from May 31 when the faithful will travel to Israel and Jordan.
NCPC’s Executive Secretary, Rev. Yakubu Pam, made these disclosures on Saturday in Yola when he inspected facilities at the Yola International Airport, one of the take-off points for the pilgrims.
“I’m in Yola to inspect the facilities at the airport as part of preparations for the 2022 holy trip to Israel and Jordan.
“From what I have seen, I am highly impressed that the management of the airport is ready for the exercise.
“We are going to start taking pilgrims to Israel and Jordan from May 31. They will spend five days in Israel and three days in Jordan,’’ Pam said.
He explained that the Yola International Airport would serve about 400 pilgrims from Adamawa and Taraba.
He noted that the visit to Jordan was added because, that was where John the Baptist, baptised Jesus Christ and it was a place where Moses also died.
“Jordan is also a place from where Elijah ascended to heaven alive,’’ Pam said.
He expressed delight that Adamawa government had been giving the commission maximum cooperation.
In his remarks, Dali Jackson, the airport’s Chief of Security, said that its management was ready for the exercise.
“The Federal Airport Authority is ready and Yola International Airport is ready for the pilgrims’ flights,” he said.
Jackson represented the Airport Manager, Malam Dan Musa, when Pam visited.
(www.nannews.com)
(NAN)
