Sports News 12:30
BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 22 April 12:30 pm
Good day, let’s look at the latest sports news and scores:
# We begin with rugby: The Sharks have asked the United Rugby Championship to formally review an incident during the match against Ospreys that ended Springbok back player Ethan Hooker’s game just before half-time. Ospreys winger Luke Morgan wasn’t penalised for diving on Hooker after he scored the visitors’ second try, which dislocated his shoulder. He has returned to South Africa for scans to determine the severity of the injury, which is expected to keep him out of action for a prolonged period.
Meanwhile, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says he is excited to get the season started against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on June 20th. The star-studded Barbarians outfit will be coached by former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. The Boks have never lost at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, winning eight of their nine Tests, with one ending in a draw. Erasmus says the Barbarians will provide them with a proper test as they are coming to South Africa with an experienced and esteemed coaching team.
# Soccer: World governing body FIFA says over five million tickets have already been sold for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicking off on 11 June. A new batch of tickets to all 104 matches is going on sale today. FIFA says, subject to availability, additional tickets will be released on an ongoing basis until the final on 19 July. The World Cup is on track to surpass the all-time attendance record of 3.5 million set during the 1994 tournament in the US.
# Athletics: The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, has urged Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout to surround himself with a strong support team in order to not be distracted by success. Eighteen-year-old Gout already earned comparisons with the Jamaican, who still holds the world records in the 100- and the 200-metres. Bolt says Gout hopefully has the right set of people to guide him and keep him focused on athletics. Gout is set to make his Diamond League debut in the 200-meter in Oslo on 10 June.
# And swimming: The Norwegian Swimming Federation says it will not host international championships as long as World Aquatics allows athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete. The move follows a similar stance taken by Poland. World Aquatics lifted neutrality restrictions last week to allow swimmers from the two nations to compete under their flags for the first time since 2022. Norway is now seeking a broader regional boycott of hosting duties. World Aquatics says pools and open water must remain places where athletes from all nations can compete peacefully.
Stay tuned for more news………….