Sports News

Double world champion Noah Lyles (USA) headlines the men’s 60m at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham – a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting – at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on 19 February. The 24-year-old Olympic 200m bronze medallist, the fastest man in the world over the distance in 2021 (19.52), is ranked fourth on the global all-time list (19.50).

Senegal's football team was given a hero's welcome on their return home after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time.

Tens of thousands of people, some sitting on top of cars and waving flags, gathered to welcome the players landing in Dakar with the trophy. President Macky Sall was amongst those greeting them.

Following a sixteen-year battle to stay in the UK, as well as enduring slavery as a victim of human trafficking, homelessness and an eventual meteoric rise to represent England in the ring, Boxing star, Bilal Fawaz, is taking the next step with his first professional fight against Vladimir Fleischhauer at Bethnal Green’s York Hall, February 11th, 2022.

Sadio Mane netted the winning spot-kick as Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties to clinch their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations after a 0-0 draw. The Liverpool forward had seen a seventh-minute penalty saved by Egypt keeper Gabaski but Mane held his nerve when he returned in the shootout.

Chelsea's Edouard Mendy denied Mohanad Lasheen to give Mane the chance to win it in Yaounde's Olembe Stadium. Gabaski had made three good saves from Senegal's Bamba Dieng in extra time.

Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton will host one of snooker’s biggest tournaments next week when the sport’s leading stars contest the Cazoo Players Championship.

The world ranking event will run from February 7 to 13 when Aldersley Leisure Village stages a major snooker event for the first time. The tournament will be televised by ITV4 and a range of other broadcasters worldwide.

An Oscar-directed masterpiece was expected as the Winter Olympics Games opening ceremony kicked off in China's capital Beijing – although, technically, the Games already started with the mixed doubles in the curling already underway. The true start of the Winter Olympics, however, began with the Opening Ceremony, directed by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Zhang Yimou.

Circuit of The Americas, North America’s premier motorsports and entertainment venue, has hired global sports industry leader Mark Pannes as its new President for Strategy and Corporate Growth.

Panne, who joins Circuit of the Americas (COTA) from Inner Market Media, will oversee the Circuit’s portfolio of new business properties which are in various stages of development and are poised to reach across its 1,500-acre campus.

”It’s an honor to welcome Mark to our team,” said COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein. “His business background and approach is a perfect fit with our community-oriented, fan-centric culture. “I look forward to Mark helping guide our growth and further our success.”

Pannes’ executive roles across international sports, entertainment, and finance markets include CEO of AS Roma (Serie A) and the MLS team the Vancouver Whitecaps, Chief Marketing Officer for the NBA team the New York Knicks (NBA), and the Founding Director of HSBC Private Bank’s Global Sports Group in London. Pannes’ international experience and local market knowledge make him ideally suited for the blend of global and domestic sports and entertainment growth initiatives that COTA is undertaking.

“This is such an exciting opportunity,” Pannes said. “After hosting the highest attendance Formula One Grand Prix weekend of all time, MotoGP, the Rolling Stones, and the Peppermint Parkway Holiday Festival all within the last few months, the Circuit of The Americas is poised for tremendous growth. Our chairman’s vision for adding sports and entertainment properties and attractions in rapid fashion over the coming years positions COTA to be North America’s premier destination for marquee events.”

Pannes is a University of Texas at Austin graduate and currently serves as chair for UT’s Center for Sports Communication and Media board. He is also a graduate of Fordham Law School and is a member of the State Bar of New York.

Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, is the only purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the United States designed for all classes of racing. The 3.4-mile racetrack hosts the world’s most prestigious sporting events, including Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, the MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas and NASCAR at COTA as well as world-renowned concerts, music festivals, and opportunities for track rentals.

The 1,500-acre campus is also home to the award-winning Germania Insurance Amphitheater and driving experiences such as COTA Karting as well as expansive meeting and hospitality spaces and an iconic 25-story observation tower that offers 360-degree views of the circuit, the amphitheater and downtown Austin.

Olympic finalist Jake Wightman leads a strong British contingent in the men’s 1500m at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix – a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting – at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on 19 February.

The European and Commonwealth bronze medallist was 10th in Tokyo and is the Scottish indoor 1500m record-holder (3:34.48).

A glittering collection of the world’s greatest sportsmen, sportswomen and teams have been nominated for the 2022 Laureus World Sports Awards, following a ballot by global sports media. Despite continuing disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the return of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, football’s European Championship and other major tournaments and events in 2021 provided unforgettable drama and these Laureus World Sports Nominees were cast in starring roles.

UK Athletics has confirmed that Paula Dunn will assume the role of Team Leader across three major athletics championships in 2022. Dunn, who has now moved into a part time role in the Para world class programme as she transitions out of the Head Coach role, will use her vast championship experience to support the Olympic programme activity in what is set to be a busy year at major championships.

Wolverhampton will host not one but two half-marathons in 2022.

The Wolverhampton City Half Marathon is set to return to its traditional September date this year, with 21km and 10km races taking place on Sunday 4 September.

A care home in Tettenhall, in the West Midlands, has been taking part in an unusual type of exercise to start the New Year. Residents at Foxland Grange on Wergs Road have kick-started the new year quite literally with a series of karate lessons as part of Care UK’s ‘Let’s Get Physical’ initiative – which aims to encourage residents to get up and active by trying something new.

UK Athletics have confirmed the two new Non-Executive Directors who will join the board from today (February 1). Following an open process launched last autumn by UKA Chair Ian Beattie, Marilyn Okoro and Wendy Sly have been appointed to the UKA board.

Marilyn Okoro is a double Olympian, having competed in Beijing 2008 and London 2012 and has won medals at Olympic, World and European level. As an 800m athlete she is ranked 10^th all-time in the UK and was a key part of the women’s 4x400m team.

Viktor Hovland produced a spectacular finish to win the DP World Tour’s 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic and $1,333,330 winner's share of the $8,000,000 purse, in a play-off after two-time winner Rory McIlroy blew his chances of a third title on the last hole.

McIlroy had looked to have the tournament within his grasp. He was tied for the lead with Hovland and Bland heading down the 18th hole, only to send his approach shot from 267 yards into the water in front of the green. 

After winning the World Cup, three Champions League winners’ medals and several league titles over an iconic 24-year career, Brazilian World Cup-winning left-back Roberto Carlos managed to beat the winter transfer deadline when signing for his latest club…. in the Shrewsbury & District Sunday Football League.

Establishing himself as the world’s best left back and one of the best players of his generation, the one-time ‘best left-back in the world’ will be turning out for Division One side Bull In The Barne United after the pub team – who represent the Bull In The Barne pub – entered and won eBay’s ‘dream transfer raffle’ which cost them just £5 to take part.

Leicester Riders lifted the BBL Cup after beating Manchester Giants 83-69 in the final at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena.

The Riders capped a memorable afternoon in front a record crowd for a BBL Cup final as a capacity crowd of Basketball fanatics turned out to an incredible match. Geno Crandall was named MVP after he dominated the showpiece event at both ends of the court.