Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 4 April 12:30 pm

Good day, let’s look at the latest sports news and scores:

# We start off with Cricket: Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has left the Gujarat Titans squad in India and returned home to South Africa for personal reasons. The 28-year-old played in the Titans’ first two matches in the Indian Premier League, taking one wicket for 41 runs in defeating Punjab Kings and one for 42 runs in the victory against the Mumbai Indians. He was absent in the Titans’ third game, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday. There is no time frame on when Rabada will return.

# Soccer: Orlando Pirates head coach José Riveiro will step down from his position at the end of the season. The Spaniard has decided not to renew his three-year contract, which expires at the end of the season. Riveiro has secured three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups for the Buccaneers. Pirates are currently in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup and in the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League. Pirates chairman, doctor Irvin Khoza, says while they wanted to extend Riveiro’s contract, they fully respect his decision.

And in more Soccer news, FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the United States and the United Kingdom are poised to be named as hosts of the Women’s World Cup in 2031 and 2035, respectively. The US put forward the only bid for the 2031 edition, while the joint bid from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland was the only valid bid of interest for the 2035 tournament after Monday’s deadline. Infantino says they intend to expand the Women’s World Cup to 48 teams from 2031:

# Motorsport: World championship leader Lando Norris topped the first practice for McLaren at the Japanese Grand Prix. Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished second and third respectively. Yuki Tsunoda was sixth fastest in a solid debut for Red Bull but was 0.107-seconds slower than his four-time world champion teammate Max Verstappen. Practice two was disrupted by a red flag following the crash of Alpine’s Jack Doohan. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri topped the chart with teammate Norris in second and Isack Hadjar third for Racing Bulls.

 # And finally, Tennis: World number 11, American Emma Navarro, says she co-signed a letter asking for a big increase in Grand Slam prize money to ensure players receive equal treatment. The world’s 20 best men’s and women’s players demanded a more equitable distribution of revenue from the organisers of the Australian, French and American Open, and Wimbledon. They say lower level players often struggle due to a lack of steady sponsorship, and big expenses. Navarro believes it’s good to come together and make sure everyone is treated fairly.

Stay tuned for more news………….