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Kerber aims to compete at 2024 Olympics after giving birth

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Germany’s Angelique Kerber is looking to return to competitive tennis as soon as possible after having a baby and plans to compete at the next Olympics 2024 in Paris.

“I’ll try to get fit again and return to the tour, but without rushing things. And then I’ll be wanting to go all out. If I do something, then I do it properly,” Kerber said on Tuesday.

The three-time grand slam winner and former world number one announced last month that she was pregnant and expected to give birth in spring.

She said her main goal in the planned return is to compete at the Olympics again in Paris 2024, having won silver at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“I’d really like to play there. I took part in the Games in London (2012) and Rio de Janeiro and it’s something special playing for one’s country at such a momentous event,” the German said.

“I’d love to have the feeling once again. There’s quite a bit of time until then. So, I’m not under any pressure.”

Speaking about current world number one Iga Swiatek, Kerber said: “I have to take my hat off to her for the way she has dealt with all the hubbub surrounding her. She’s after all still only 21.

“I know her well and I am eager to find out how much longer she will continue at the same high level.”

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Excitement builds for 2024 Emirates Global Hotel Amateur Open Golf Championship in Ilorin

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Over 145 golfers are set to participate in the 2024 Emirates Global Hotel Amateur Open Golf Championship in Ilorin from Friday to Saturday.

Dare Akanbi, a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), informed reporters on Monday in Ilorin that the field consists of 124 males and 21 females.

Akanbi disclosed that the golfers represent various clubs including Ibom Golf Club, Ikeja Golf Club, Abeokuta Golf Club, and Tiger Golf Club, among others.

“The event is an annual championship introduced by the Chairman of Emirate Global Hotel, Hon. Lambe Akanbi, demonstrating his support and passion for golf and his commitment to nurturing the sport,” Akanbi remarked.

“We have finalized arrangements for the 2024 edition, which will feature 124 male and 21 female participants, with an additional 11 on standby due to late registration,” he added.

The championship is scheduled to Tee-off at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, with the official Tee-off slated for 9:00 a.m. The closing ceremony will take place in the evening, during which winners will be announced and rewarded.

Akanbi noted that the championship, which does not have any age bracket, offers prizes and souvenirs for winners, as well as consolation prizes for all participants. The tournament includes different categories, including 1, 2, 3, 4, and Senior Veterans.

Among the notable golfers expected to compete in the championship are Lanre Sagaya, Otunba Olusola Adekanola, and Owolabi Olajide, among others.

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Chelsea thrash West Ham to move above United

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Chelsea thrashed West Ham 5-0 to move above Manchester United into seventh place and keep their hopes of European qualification on Sunday.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is fighting to convince the club’s co-owner Todd Boehly to give him a second season in charge after his troubled debut campaign.

Pochettino admits it is “not his decision” if he stays, but securing a place in Europe could be enough to avoid the sack.

Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead in the 15th minute with his 21st league goal of the season, the forward firing home after West Ham failed to clear.

Conor Gallagher doubled Chelsea’s advantage after 30 minutes with a blistering volley after West Ham’s Kurt Zouma deflected the ball towards the midfielder.

Noni Madueke bagged Chelsea’s third six minutes later as the winger turned in Thiago Silva’s header from close range.

Nicolas Jackson piled on the misery for woeful West Ham in the 48th minute with a tap-in from Madueke’s cross.

The Senegal striker was on target again with 10 minutes left.

The lopsided nature of defeat did little to quell speculation over the future of West Ham boss David Moyes, who has come under fire from fans for his perceived negative game plans.

Ninth-placed West Ham has reportedly held talks with former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui and could opt to move on from Moyes, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

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Dominican Republic 2024: Burkinabe Under 17 girls to host Flamingos on neutral ground

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The Nigeria’s Under 17 female football team,the  Flamingos will  play their away match against their Burkinabe counterparts in the  2024 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture on a neutral ground in Bamako, Mali.

Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the  Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stated this in a statement  on Friday.

The world body insisted that the Burkinabes cannot play in Ouagadougou due to the poor state of their home venue.

The decision has seen the Burkinabes opt for the Malian capital, where they will host the Flamingos on  May 11  from 4 pm Mali time, 5pm Nigeria time.

The return leg will come up at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on  May 18   from 4.30 pm Nigeria time.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Suavis Iratunga from Burundi as referee for the match that will take place at the March 26 Stadium.

Her compatriots Fides Bangurambona, Alida Iradukunda and Joselyne Nsabimana as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.

Oumou Souleyman Kanefrom Mauritania will be commissioner while Aya Irene Ahoua from Cote d’Ivoire will be the referee assessor.

The  return leg in Abuja, will have Aline Umutoni from Rwanda as  the referee, with her compatriots Alice Umutesi and Sandrine Usenga as assistant 1 and assistant 2 respectively.

 Ethiopian Raya Sisay will be the fourth official, with Naa Odofoley Nortey as commissioner and Senegalese Fatou Gaye as referee assessor.

The Flamingos’ delegation to Bamako will leave Abuja on Wednesday  for Bamako for the encounter.

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 will take place in the Dominican Republic from  Oct. 16 to Nov.3.

This will be the first time that the Dominican Republic will host a FIFA tournament.

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