Category: 6. Sports

Main commitments

At the heart of the LA28 plan are four guiding principles: radical reuse, inclusivity, community benefit and resilience – from adapting existing infrastructure and resources to empowering people and businesses. These priorities were shaped through a two-year consultation process that brought together external working groups on sustainability, workforce development and community business. Made up of civil society organisations, labour representatives, academics and civic leaders, they helped incorporate the perspectives and priorities of Angelenos.

One of the most distinctive initiatives is “Resilient by Nature”, created in response to Los Angeles’ recent experience with devastating wildfires. The programme will support projects that help communities prepare for future shocks while showcasing solutions that can be replicated globally. It will deploy a range of tools – from grant-making to volunteerism to educational campaigns – to pursue positive impacts across three focus areas: wildfire resilience and nature restoration, ocean protection, and cooling solutions. As part of the programme, LA28 will launch a Community Resilience Fund by early 2026, which will provide grants to local nonprofits to support projects across the three focus areas. LA28 is also a recent signatory of the Sports for Nature Framework, formalising its commitment to leveraging the power of sport to protect and restore nature in the Los Angeles region.

Equally central is PlayLA, a USD 160 million investment – co-founded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and LA28 – making youth sport affordable and accessible. With more than one million enrolments already across 40 different sports, the programme is creating opportunities for children and young people of all abilities, embedding a powerful social legacy well before the Games begin.

The Games themselves will be staged on a model of radical reuse, making use of LA’s existing world-class venues, from the historic Memorial Coliseum to cutting-edge arenas across the city. This approach avoids new permanent construction while celebrating the city’s Olympic heritage. At least 90% of materials used for temporary infrastructure and overlay at competition venues will be reused or recycled, and a community donation programme will ensure that equipment and materials used in 2028 are redistributed locally, extending their impact long after the Closing Ceremony.

Finally, LA28’s Community Business Supplier Programme will channel the economic benefits of the Games directly into the region, with a commitment that 75 per cent of procurement will go to local businesses and 25 per cent to small businesses – a model designed to create a legacy of growth and empowerment.

Ashley Cheatley’s first season in Brentford colours could not have gone much better: a league title and promotion to tier five, a Capital Cup and 46 goals.

The campaign met all of Cheatley’s expectations after joining from Ashford Town alongside Lucy Potter, the pair playing pivotal roles in the Bees’ success.

After kicking off her second season in west London with back-to-back league wins against Aylesford and Newhaven, Cheatley’s goals and aspirations haven’t changed as Brentford Women embark on a new journey in the London and South East Premier Division.

“We set out to win the league [last season] and we did just that” said Cheatley.

“I think with the FA Cup and everything we obviously made history, so to achieve that was massive for us. Hopefully this season we can do the same.

“Winning the league [is the aim this season]. It’s got to be winning the league. I don’t think we should be settling for mid-table finishes or to not be relegated, I think we should go on and push and I believe that we can do that.

“It’ll be good because I think the teams in tier five have a lot more to offer, so competitively it will be much better.

“I don’t think we should go into this league nervous or worried about any opponents, we know what we can do.

“Hopefully with the training plan and pre-season that we had, that will just help us get to the next level and be able to be even better than the teams in tier five.”

While the off-season brought with it a lot of change to the Brentford Women set-up, including head coach Karleigh Osborne and captain Mollie Holmes’ departures, the squad still boasts strong depth.

Under new head coach Carly Williams, the Bees have Cheatley, Potter and Alissa Down who have all previously played in higher divisions with Ashford, while experienced stars Maddie Phillips, Regan Graver, Freya Worsley, Nikki Woods, Evie Witek, Carolin Engelhard, Habeebat Gbajabiamila, Kirsty Matthews, Paula Holguin and Chelsie Berry have all returned.

Joining them are new recruits Esme Alaneme (Charlton Athletic U21s), Khyri McKenzie (Whyteleafe), Asees Sangha (Haringey Girls Academy), Cloe O’Brien (London Seaward), Maï Louvrier (QPR), Ilana Harris-Walters (Sutton United) and Renai McCrae (QPR).

“Obviously everything’s changed, but we’ve got a nice set-up, training’s been really good, we’ve had new players come in and they’re very good,” said Cheatley.

“We know that we need to improve and we’re only going to get that by getting new players in. I think what the new players have to offer is a lot of quality, but as well as that from what we’ve seen, they want to gel, they want to be within a team.

“When you’ve got that foundation where everyone feels like they’re together, it’s such a big thing, you’re already up 40 per cent.”

The 2025/26 season will see Cheatley, Potter and Down go up against their old side Ashford, a task that Cheatley is excited for.

“I think it’s just going to add to the occasion, obviously having been there… just to go back, see some familiar faces, it’ll be great.”

When asked about if she’d celebrate a goal against her old side, the striker wasn’t sure yet.

“I have thought about this, I don’t think so, it depends on the reception,” she admitted.

“I was a bit disappointed not to get 50 [goals last season]. If I can get 50 this year, that’s just going to show me I can be consistent and I can improve as well.”

The Bees hit the road on Sunday as they face fellow undefeated side Barking in league action (3pm kick-off BST).

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced their squad for the upcoming triangular T20I series against Pakistan and Afghanistan at home, with captain Muhammad Waseem once again entrusted with leading the side in what promises to be a high-profile dress rehearsal ahead of the Asia Cup.

The tri-series, to be staged in Sharjah from August 29 to September 7, will see the UAE test themselves against two of Asia’s established heavyweights. Pakistan and Afghanistan begin proceedings on August 29, with the hosts opening their campaign against Pakistan a day later.

The Emirates Cricket Board has named a 15-man squad for the tournament with four players, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, and Muhammad Jawadullah, being brought into the team, while Akif Raja, Matiullah Khan, and Zuhaib Zubair have been left out from the previous assignment.

Just two days after the tri-series final, the Asia Cup kicks off in the UAE, where the hosts are grouped with India, Pakistan and Oman. The UAE’s final squad for that tournament will be confirmed closer to the event.

UAE’s Squad for Tri-Series:

Muhammad Waseem (c)	Alishan Sharafu	Aryansh Sharma (wk)	Asif Khan
Dhruv Parashar	Ethan D’Souza	Haider Ali	Harshit Kaushik
Junaid Siddique	Muhammad Farooq	Muhammad Jawadullah	Muhammad Zohaib
Rahul Chopra (wk)	Rohid Khan	Saghir Khan

For Pakistan fans, the tri-series will provide an early look at how the Men in Green shape up against both Afghanistan and a motivated UAE side determined to prove they belong at this level.

As the first Nigerian cross-country skier to compete at the Winter Olympic Games, Samuel Ikpefan fondly recalls the closing ceremony of Beijing 2022. It was a moment that marked a historic milestone for Africa’s most populous nation.

Having missed the Opening Ceremony due to COVID-19, marching alongside athletes from around the world made the experience even more poignant.

“Riding the high-speed train with athletes from all nations and sharing that magical moment was unforgettable,” the 32-year-old native of Annemasse, France, told Olympics.com.

He was the only athlete from Nigeria competing in Beijing.

Despite pandemic-related setbacks disrupting his Olympic debut, Ikpefan is now fully focused on returning to the Games at Milano Cortina 2026.

He’s preparing both mentally and physically to meet the demands of cross-country skiing at the highest level.

“My goals for Milano 2026 are to compete in all individual cross-country skiing events and give my absolute best. I aim to push my limits, maximise my capabilities, and proudly represent Nigeria while learning from the world’s toughest competition,” he said.

India could be banned from world football for the second time in three years after Fifa and the Asian governing body demanded it implement a new constitution by October 30 or risk suspension.

World governing body Fifa and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) sent a joint letter to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey expressing “profound concern” at the continued failure to finalise and adopt the constitution.

“Failure to meet this schedule will leave us with no alternative but to refer the matter to the relevant Fifa decision-making body for consideration and decision,” said the letter, seen by AFP.

“AIFF must regard this communication as binding and requiring immediate compliance in order to safeguard its rights as a member of Fifa and the AFC,” it added.

The AIFF constitution has been before India’s Supreme Court awaiting a decision since 2017.

A suspension would mean India’s national teams and clubs were barred from all international competitions.

Hong Kong and India have been drawn in the same Asian Cup qualifying group, with the hosts winning 1-0 at Kai Tak Stadium in their first meeting in June and the return set for March 31.

The FIA European Drag Racing Championship moves to Germany for one of the season’s most prestigious and most attended events, the NitrOlympX, now in its 38th edition. The competitions will be held from August 29–31 at the legendary Rico Anthes Quartermile of the HockenheimRing. With the title battles still extremely close, the third round of the 2025 season promises to deliver another weekend of spectacular action in front of a crowd of passionate fans eager for thrills. Last year, NitrOlympX broke its attendance record, with more than 45,000 spectators.

Top Fuel – Callin narrowly leads Jones
After her victory at Tierp Arena, Susanne Callin leads the FIA European Top Fuel standings with a narrow two-point advantage over Liam Jones. The two RF Motorsport teammates have been closely matched all season, and the fight is expected to continue at Hockenheim. Adding even more excitement, reigning FIA European champion Jndia Erbacher returns to the track in front of her favourite crowd. Once again, the Top Fuel competition at the NitrOlympX is set to be one of the highlights of the weekend.

Top Methanol – four-way battle
Top Methanol remains wide open, with several contenders still in the hunt for the title. Tina Høst Nedregård leads the standings thanks to her strong performances earlier in the year, holding a 46-point advantage over Sweden’s Tony Bryntesson but her accident after the finish of the Final in Sweden caused such damage to her Dragster that she is forced to withdraw for the event. Bryntesson has shown impressive pace and consistency, making him a strong favourite for victory in Germany. Just behind him, Belgium’s Sandro Bellio and reigning champion Jonny Lagg are within striking distance, sitting only a handful of points adrift. With such a competitive field, every qualifying session and elimination round will be crucial in shaping the title fight.

Pro Stock – Norén vs Ålund
Pro Stock continues to offer one of the closest rivalries of the season, as Robin Norén and Jimmy Ålund prepare for another head-to-head battle. Norén has combined sharp driving with a strong car setup to claim the championship lead, while Ålund, a 13-time FIA European Pro Stock champion, remains just 19 points behind. Ålund’s experience and consistency mean he is always a threat, while Norén has proved capable of delivering under pressure. The NitrOlympX could be decisive in determining momentum before the final stretch of the season. Stefan Ernryd currently holds third place in the standings. Facing a significant gap to the leaders, the German round is the opportunity to catch-up before the season finale.

Pro Modified – Rantaniemi and Harteveld separated by one point
Pro Modified once again promises to deliver the largest and most international field of the weekend, with a 16-car elimination ladder at Hockenheim. Jere Rantaniemi, reigning FIA European champion, leads the standings after his victory at Tierp Arena. Hot on his heels is Dutchman Marck Harteveld, just one point behind, ensuring another chapter in their close-fought rivalry. Behind them, Andres Arnover sits third, while Dutch competitors Michel Tooren and David Vegter, complete the top five. With the trio separated by only five points, the fight for the podium places is guaranteed to be intense.

A 3-day permanent show
The NitrOlympX at the HockenheimRing is always a highlight of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship season, drawing huge crowds and delivering unforgettable moments. With four FIA categories finely poised and margins razor-thin, the 2025 edition promises another spectacular weekend of close, high-speed duels. As usual, various national categories, including Juniors, as well as the FIM Europe Drag Bike series motorcycle competitions complete the event’s line-up, with another highlight being the Night Show scheduled for Saturday evening.

 

Qualifying begins Friday, August 29, continuing Saturday, with eliminations on Sunday, August 31.

Karen Piotr

World Transplant Games

Bradford NHS Hospital Trust

“Skin cancer is real, especially in Australia. I had one cut out of my nose today, so this is a friendly reminder to get your skin checked. Prevention is better than cure, but in my case, regular check-ups and early detection are key,” he posted on Instagram.

Skin cancer in Australia

Australia records the highest skin cancer rates in the world, driven by intense UV radiation, its geographical proximity to the equator, and a largely fair-skinned population. Statistics show that at least two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer by the age of 70.

“It does scare me. I am a dad – I don’t want to go anywhere. The most important thing in the world is making sure I help my seven-year-old daughter, and I guess set a good example for her,” Clarke had told The Daily Telegraph in 2023.

“Imagine fielding all day in India, out there for eight hours in the sun, a lot of the guys are wearing the baggy green cap, so you are not protecting your ears or your face,’ he told the publication You’ve got short-sleeved shirts, so your arms and the tops of your hands (are exposed).”

Cancer no setback for Michael Clarke

Despite enduring health setbacks, Clarke’s stature in Australian cricket remains immense. His aggressive tactics, resilience, and ability to inspire teammates secured him a place among the finest to have worn the Baggy Green, from where his career took off, culminating in multiple records, trophies and enjoyable career highs.

Clarke carved out a glittering career for Australia between 2004 and 2015, featuring in 115 Tests, 245 ODIs, and 34 T20Is. A stylish batter with sharp insights, Clarke scored 8,643 runs in Tests and 7,981 in ODIs while also chipping in with 94 wickets across formats. His elegant strokeplay, combined with a fierce competitive edge, made him one of the most accomplished players of his generation.

As captain, Clarke led Australia in 74 Tests and 139 ODIs, leaving behind a legacy of successful leadership. His reign was marked by a 5-0 Ashes triumph in 2013-14 Down Under and the 2015 World Cup victory on home soil. His brilliance with the bat reached its peak in 2013, when he was crowned ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year after a remarkable run of form.