Happy Eid-El-Fitr to all our Muslim brothers and sisters

The new Ronaldo

The Awards: Cristiano Ronaldo was named PFA Player and Young Player of the Year in 2007 and Gareth Bale in 2013, Andy Gray is the only other player to scoop both

Kagarama SS outclasses Efotec SS to win Schools Cricket title

Winners - Kagarma SS team

Boys Schools Cricket Week final

Efotec 39 all out, Kagarama 40/1 in 5 overs

(Kagarama SS wins by 9 wickets)

Semifinal

IPRC 85 all out, Kagarama 86/1

(Kagarama wins by 9 wickets)

Efotec 61 all out, GS Giporoso 59 all out

(Efotec wins by 2 runs)

Kagarama SS won the Boys' Schools Cricket Week tournament unbeaten when they walloped Efotec SS in the finals by 9 wickets.

Bugingo Kenneth turned in match winning performance as he led Kagarama SS to the Boys’ School Cricket week title in a low scoring final at the Kicukiro cricket ground yesterday. It was their sixthy national title.

Bugingo, who was later voted the player-of-the tournament, opened the bowling after winning the toss and electing to bowl and he did not disappoint as he took 2 wickets. Helped by Muvunyi Valence 3 wickets, Kagarama tormented Efotec’s batting which led to a low score.

Kagarama’s chase started off on the wrong note when opener Muvunyi Valence departed for 5 runs but the partnership between Bugingo (16) and Karemera Joseph (5) took them home.

“This was our first time getting to the final and it was a great team performance, everyone did what they had to and we prayed as a team,” said Efotec captain Iradukunda Nicholas.

Earlier in the day the first semi final saw Efotec emerge victorious over GS Giporoso in a thriller. Their bowlers bowled so well that it was hard for us to chase said Giporoso star batsman Orchide Tuyisenge who was later declared best batsman of the tournament. The second semi final Kagarama beat IPRC comfortably by 9 wickets after they restricted them to a low score of 85 runs. They later chased it with ease losing only 1 wicket.

Closing ceremony

After the final, a closing ceremony was held. Manirarora Elie the CNSOR vice president was the guest of honor. In his words he thanked Rwanda Cricket Association for promoting the game in the youth. He further handed a trophy to the winners of the tournament.

The individual accolades were won by Bugingo Kenneth (Player of Series) - Kagarama SS, Orchide Tuyisenge (Best Batsman) – GS Giporoso, Sebakira Maic (Best Bowler) - Efotec SS, Iradunda Nicholas (Best Fielder) - Efotec SS and Valence Muvunyi (Most Promising Player) - Kagarama SS.

During the tournament, a couple of coaches identified 30 kids who will be put in a 2 week training camp to improve on their skill and prepare them to represent Rwanda in the U15 and U17 tournaments in December said Joshua Mwanja RCA General Manager.

In the closing remarks, Charles Haba thanked the sponsors Inyange Industries Ltd, ICM Rwanda Agribusiness and Mineduc for partnering with RCA to promote school cricket. 

                                                Muvunyi Valence the most promising player

                                                  Bugingo Kenneth the player of the series

                               

                                                 Efotec team who were runners up

                                                                   The final

Manchester United under siege as battles for Rooney, Cesc and Ron hot up

The Manchester United boss is in the middle of a Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid nightmare.

Chelsea will up their bid for Wayne Rooney to £24million, as Moyes’ £30m bid for Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas hit a brick wall.

And, to make matters worse, Real say Ronaldo will stay.

Their new boss Carlo Ancelotti poured scorn on United’s attempt to lure Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, saying he was on the brink of signing a new deal at the Bernabeu.

Chelsea chief Jose Mourinho fired the first broadside against the Premier League champions last week with a £20m bid for Rooney.

And, despite yet another denial from Moyes that the player was for sale, Mourinho’s response will be a £24m offer to test the resolve of the Old Trafford money men.

Moyes was also rocked by Barcelona’s apparent refusal to entertain his bid of £30m plus add-ons for Fabregas.

The Spanish giants are coming to terms with the shock resignation of boss Tito Vilanova, who has suffered a setback in his fight against cancer.

Barcelona do not want to consider selling Spanish World Cup-winner Fabregas, 26, before they know whether a new manager wants to keep him.

And Ancelotti’s comments about Ronaldo do not make good reading for Moyes, who is hoping to make the Portugal winger his marquee signing.

The Real Madrid boss heaped praise on his star player and insisted he would remain as an inspiration to the young stars at the Bernabeu.
He said: “Cristiano is phenomenal. A great player. For this club, the most important thing is to count on a player of his professionalism.

“The youngsters can look up to a champion and how he continues to work in the same way.

“It’s not my job when it comes to giving him a new deal but I don’t think it will be a problem.”

Kerala Hunters Cricket Club on Debut

Suveesh Kottemal receiving playing T-shirts from UAE EXCHANGE Rwanda boss N. Riyaz at the inaugural ceremony.

Kerala Hunters Cricket Club (KHCC) will play their first match on Rwanda soil against Indorwa Cricket Club (ICC) in the ongoing UAE EXCHANGE & XPRESS MONEY T20 tournament. We may seem the under dogs but our boys have put in a lot of training in preparation for the game and we hope to win said Suveesh Kottemal the KHCC captain. ICC new recruit Denis Taga acknowledged it will be a tough game but we have an upper hand because of our experience.

In the other game, newly reformed Right Guards Cricket Club (RGCC) will be up against the depleted Impala Titans Cricket Club (ITCC). RGCC captain and star player Eric Dusingizimana said we hope to carry on the winning stunts that helped us win the 2012 Zaffran T20 tournament.

 Thank UAE EXCHANGE & XPRESS MONEY for sponsoring this tournament.

United offer £26m for Fabregas as Arsenal plot £35m bid for Suarez

  Manchester United submited a bid of £26m for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas - after seeing Thiago Alcantara join Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Arsenal are planning to increase their offer for Liverpool's Luis Suarez to £35m and Manchester City could bring in Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo - with Edin Dzeko set to stay.

United have made a £26m bid for Fabregas (left) as Arsenal line up a £35m offer for Suarez (right)

With last season a fading memory; clubs are making their moves in the summer transfer market with the next campaign in mind. Here is a roundup of all the latest news, rumours and gossip...

Manchester United has submitted a £26m bid to bring back former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas to England. The offer comes after Bayern Munich announced that Pep Guardiola had pipped David Moyes to the signing of Barcelona youngster Thiago Alcantara.

Liverpool star Luis Suarez has once again spoken out over his intention to depart Anfield, while suitors Arsenal plot an increased £35m offer.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is hopeful of adding strikers Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic to their forward line this summer - but the pair are set to join Edin Dzeko not replace him at the Etihad.

Meanwhile, City defender Maicon appears poised to leave the the club for a return to Italy with Roma waiting in the wings for the Brazilian.

Clement Grenier has dashed Arsenal’s bid to buy him after signing a new two-year deal with Lyon.

Tottenham are homing in on Real Betis's Alvaro Vadillo, with informal talks already taking place with the 19-year-old winger's agent and Spurs.

Alvaro Negredo (left) and Stevan Jovetic (right) could be set to move to Manchester City

Club chat and other gossip

Manuel Pellegrini's first match as Manchester City manager saw his side frog-marched todefeat by a South African team in which a player called Kermit scored the second of their two goals.

Fulham's new owner Shahid Khan has pledged to back manager Martin Jol but wants results.

Ryan Giggs has described himself as 'crazy' - as he prepares for his 23rd season with Manchester United.

England's women are hoping that history will repeat itself when they meet Russia this evening in their second group game at the European Championship finals in Sweden.

Steven Gerrard is set to agree a new contract in another pledge of his loyalty to Liverpool.

Cesc Fabregas: Manchester United make £25m bid

Manchester United have bid £25m for Barcelona's ex-Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, but the Gunners have first refusal on him at the same price.

United's offer is being considered but is understood to be below the Spanish club's valuation of the player.

While Fabregas is not pushing for a move, it is believed he is open to a return to England.Fabregas facts

He became Arsenal's youngest player aged 16 years and 177 days against Rotherham United in League Cup in October 2003

He was part of Arsenal team which beat Manchester United on penalties in 2005 FA Cup final - their last trophy

The 26-year-old will be guided by whether Barcelona are prepared to accept an offer for him.

Fabregas came through the Spanish club's La Masia academy before Arsenal signed him as a 16-year-old in 2003.

He developed as one of the London club's key players under manager Arsene Wenger before becoming Arsenal captain in November 2008.

The Spain international spent eight years with the Gunners, playing 303 games and scoring 57 goals.

However, he returned to the Nou Camp when he signed a five-year deal with Barcelona in a £25.4m move in August 2011.

He has since helped the Catalan club win the Copa del Rey in 2011-12 and La Liga in 2012-13.

Fabregas has played 96 times in two seasons with Barcelona, including 60 league games, but has rarely featured in his preferred midfield role, with Xavi, 33, and Andres Iniesta, 29, ahead of him.

Fabregas has made 83 appearances for Spain, winning the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship twice.

Drogba feels the love from tattooed Chelsea fans..

The Chelsea legend got more than he bargained for in the warm-up match when hordes of Blues fans turned up, including a fan who ran on to the pitch to show off his large tattoo of the Ivorian.

Drogba took time to sign autographs and pose for pictures with Chelsea and Shrewsbury fans, and came on for the second half as the Turkish giants took on the

League Two side .Drogba hug Ink tribute-  a pitch invader with a tattoo of the striker on his back

Rooney: Man U, is bigger than just one player-Moyes

The new boss David Moyes insists he will get the best out of Wayne Rooney.

But he warned the England ace: You are not bigger than Manchester United.

The new Old Trafford gaffer is confident unsettled Rooney will stay, and plans to put an arm around him. But he does not want the situation to overshadow the start of the season.

No contract talks are planned with Roo, currently out with a hamstring injury, which has two years left on his existing deal.

And Moyes said: “I’ve got to ensure it’s not just him and we don’t concentrate on him. Manchester United isn’t about Wayne, Manchester United is about the team and the club.

“We are talking about him now and rightly so but what I won’t allow is Wayne Rooney to become more important than the club and the team because that’s the heart of it.

“This is a chance for me to get Wayne right back to where he was. That is the challenge and that’s a challenge I want to take on and see whether we can get him back to the level he was a

“He’s got a major role to play; we need to get him as many goals as we can.

“I may be Scottish and we joke about it but the fact is we want England qualifying for the World Cup because we need a strong national team and I like Roy Hodgson.

David talks tactics with Wilfried Zaha

“If I can give him a really good Wayne Rooney, a confident Wayne Rooney, and then that will benefit everybody.”

United will let striker Rooney enter the final year on his contract next summer, with Moyes making a decision on his future then?

Moyes believes Rooney’s best position is up front rather than a deeper midfield role.

He said: “Wayne can play up on his own, he can play dropped in. Overall my thought on Wayne is, if for any reason we had an injury to Robin van Persie, we’ll need him.

“I want to be able to play the two of them; I want to use Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez as well.

“I want to give myself as many options as possible.

“It’s going to be a time to see how I work with Wayne.

“Maybe in a year’s time we might have to look at something else. The first year I have to get a chance to see the players and how best to use them.”

Moyes, meanwhile, admits the ‘hairdryer’ has already been plugged back in.

United players who thought they had seen the last of a fiery Glaswegian temper have already received a massive wake-up call.

After just a few training sessions under Alex Ferguson’s successor, United’s players have discovered Moyes has equally high standards — and those who fail to deliver will suffer a tongue-lashing.

Asked whether he had lost his temper, Moyes revealed: “I have done it already. I told them to get their finger out and give a bit more. I have no problem with that.

“It was to let them know what is going on. I cannot call it the hairdryer; I think someone else has already done that!

“I feel comfortable in the job but I still think there are bits of it that are strange.

“These players are so used to seeing Sir Alex and I’ve been used to seeing the Everton players, so there are bits of it that I’ve got to say that I can’t turn round and say, ‘I’m cool with this, everything’s fine’ because there is a little bit of unease.

 “It’s like anyone going to a new job, you are never quite sure. I do feel quite comfortable but yet quite wary that the real stuff is to come.

“And until the games start, as a football manager, you don’t know how you are going to handle it. This time of year is the best time because you haven’t got the games, everyone is getting some football.”

Moyes was speaking honestly and openly over lunch here in the Thai capital, where he was quizzed about the differences between his coaching methods and Ferguson’s.

He said: “I coach more, I’m on the training ground — and that’s not to say Sir Alex wasn’t a great coach but, with age and time, that changed.

“I might be a bit more around it while Sir Alex gave time to other things — which I need to get better at myself.

“Maybe next time we do an interview in a few months I might say, ‘Right, I’m not doing any of that’ or ‘I’ve been doing too much of something else’.

“But my focus is not to change the reasons why people thought I was the right candidate for the job — because if I was going to change it would mean I am starting again.

“I want to work with the core of the players. I will delegate in the right areas and will do other work.

“But I would like it to be after I have finished all my football work with the players.

“I’ve said to them all, ‘I’ll get to know you with three weeks away and will try to chat with you, understand you more’.

“There will be things I do that are different. But there are a lot of things that I see at Manchester United that are great old-fashioned values, great traditions and I will pass them on to whoever is the next manager because those things won’t change.”

The main attraction of everybody was on Rooney, when the club was in Thailand
 

Mario Balotelli’s ex-girlfriend is suing his adoptive parents after they accused her of “cashing in and exploiting” their football star son.

Underwear model Raffaella Fico, 25, filed the action against Franco and Silvia Balotelli in Milan, where the striker now plays.

She and ex-Man City ace Balo, 22, split last year. She says he is dad to her seven-month-old daughter Pia, but he wants a DNA test.

After Raffaella accused Balotelli of being “disinterested in his child and her”, the star’s mum and dad hit back in an open letter to Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport.

They said: “Our son is not the irresponsible and undignified person you (Raffaella) have described.

“For some time now, Raffaella, all you have been interested in is reporters and photographers.

“You have not had a moment’s hesitation in expressing your every sentiment, confusing truth and fiction purely to appear on front covers.

“Obviously you have your reasons for making your life a media event but you cannot drag everyone along with you.

“You cannot sell as the truth, mud that insults the dignity of others.”

Raffaella, who has also been linked to Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo, responded: “They insisted that I was motivated only by a desire for fame and money.

“But Mario and I had a relationship which ended in April 2012. It was an intense and satisfying love story that gave us our baby girl Pia.”

The lawsuit could cost the elderly Balotellis hundreds of thousands of pounds. No date has been set for the hearing.

Raffaella and Balotelli, who left City in January, split after she learned of his womanising ways.

She flew to the UK to confront him at his Cheshire home but he refused to see her and police were called.

Baby Pia was born in December and Balotelli has not even seen her despite Raffaella urging him to do so.

The striker has since found new love with Vogue model Fanny Neguesha, posting his photos of them in “his and hers” football shirts.

He has also given her a £100,000 diamond engagement ring. Imagine how much is in African pounds!!!!

Celebrity Gagaa

Celebrity-Lady Gaga might be behind in her washing as she steps out in New York in just a Bra. She is always ……….

Das Bolt heads Usain

James Dasaolu is  faster than Usain Bolt: “I can go even quicker!” he says

The Brit, 25, clocked 9.91sec in the 100m semi-finals at the British Championships in Birmingham.

Dasaolu’s time saw him leap up to fourth on the 2013 100m world list — one place ahead of Bolt.

It was the second fastest time ever by a Brit – behind Linford Christie’s mark of 9.87 set 20 years ago.

Dasaolu will now compete at next month’s World Championships in Moscow. He said: “Bolt will bring his ‘A game’ come Moscow. But I want to challenge him.

“With more competition, I hope to go quicker.”

Dasaolu had to pull out of the final, won by Dwain Chambers in 10.04, with cramp.

Reigning world champion Dai Greene triumphed in the 400m hurdles in a time of 48.66 and will defend his title at the Worlds. But long-jumper Chris Tomlinson failed to secure the 8.25m mark needed for Moscow.

Marilyn Okoro, 28, won the 800m and Christine Ohuruogu cliaimed the 400m title in 50.98.

Adam Gemili’s 200m time of 20.51 was only enough for fourthat the European Under-23 Championships in Tampere, Finland yesterday.

But Jodie Williams and Sophie Hitcheon delivered golds for Britain. Williams, 19, claimed the 200m title in 22.92 and Hitchon took the shot put crown with a throw of 70.72m.

Chelsea crack down on kids as Roman demands improvement from club's academy

Roman Abramovich is demanding massive improvements at Chelsea’s academy after a major crackdown on discipline.

Sports Mirror   reveal that the club’s billionaire owner wants a production line of homegrown players in his match day squad to succeed his ageing first team stars.

Established first team players, including Captain John Terry and Frank Lampard – signed from West Ham in 2001 – are still regarded as the heart and soul of the club.

                   

Wayne Rooney is a player I like-Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourihno admits he is a fan of Wayne Rooney.

Chelsea   arrived in Bangkok ahead of their pre-season matches there — just as Manchester United star Rooney was heading home.

England striker Rooney suffered a hamstring injury which could rule him out of the start of the new season.

He has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer after Alex Ferguson claimed the Liverpudlian wanted to leave United.

And asked about the possibility of a swoop, Chelsea boss Mourinho said: “It’s a tricky question because I cannot speak about it.

"But you know me and it’s not my kind of character to speak with a bit of hypocrisy and I always say what I think.

“He is a player I like very much but I can say no more than that. Being fast and direct, I like that, but he’s a Manchester United player.”

Rooney, 27, has also been linked with Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG.

But new United boss David Moyes has insisted his front man is not for sale.

Happy birthday Tulisa - as she turns 25 in July

Andy Murray: The making of a British sporting hero,

Ending Britain's 77-year wait for a men's singles champion at Wimbledon.

Wimbledon is Murray's second Grand Slam 

Murray denied Djokovic a second Wimbledon title, winning that extraordinary 10th game of the third set to demonstrate his brilliance, his determination and his will to  

win."This is a future Wimbledon champion!"

Wanyama seals record-breaking £12m move from Celtic to Southampton

Victor Wanyama's long-mooted move to Southampton has been completed, with the midfielder leaving Celtic for a Scottish record fee reported to be £12million.

After overcoming an apparent impasse in discussions, the highly-rated 22-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at St Mary's.

The Kenyan later tweeted: 'I have a day of mixed emotion. Happy to play in EPL, honored to be the first Kenyan to play in EPL. But also very sad to leave Paradise.

Wanyama's move therefore dwarfs the £9.5million Spartak Moscow paid Celtic for Aiden McGeady three years ago and sees it become the largest fee ever paid in Scottish football, breaking Rangers' long-standing record £12million outlay for Tore Andre Flo.

Until recently it had looked like a move to the south coast had collapsed over personal terms, leading to suggestions of issues with his representatives.

However, manager Mauricio Pochettino some time before, had not given up on the deal and Wanyama now becomes Saints' second signing of the summer, following the £8.5million purchase of Lyon's Dejan Lovren.

'It feels great and I am happy to be here,' Wanyama said 'Finally it has happened and we've come to the end [of negotiations], so I am delighted.

'There were other options, but Southampton is a club with ambitions so I chose to come here.
'Southampton is a good club and it has good players, so I just want to train hard and work hard to be a part of the starting XI. We'll see where that will take me.

'I'm very grateful to be here and I'm looking forward to playing in the Premier League.

'I've seen that the stadium is great and the dressing room is looking good, and I know some of the players. I hope they will help me and I think I will get along with the others, so it will be good.

'I am happy to be a part of Southampton's squad. It means a lot because because it has been my dream to play in the Premier League and now I am here.'

Sekagya complete New York Switch

The former Cranes captain had no idea that he would once team-up with a player still celebrated as Arsenal’s all-time top scorer with 228 goals in all competitions.

It had never crossed his mind that he would one day share a dressing room with not just a treble winner with the mighty Barcelona but a World and European Cup champion.

But on Thursday evening, Sekagya’s dream was realised after signing for New York Red Bulls, where Henry is such an integral figure.

Sekagya joins the Salzburg’s sister club on a free and his two and a half year contract reportedly places him among the club’s highest paid players.

Henry earns $4.35m (sh11.3b) a year, slightly higher than teammate Tim Cahill —the two highest paid players in the MLS.

He will complete the move after securing receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.

Mohamed to sell Fulham for £150million

Mohamed Fayed is to sell Fulham in a £150million takeover deal with one of the world’s richest men.

An announcement could take place as early as tomorrow following secret negotiations with US billionaire Shahid Khan.

Khan, 62, is the owner of American football’s Jacksonville Jaguars and is looking for a London base for his NFL franchise.

Now he is on the verge of an agreement with Fayed, who bought Fulham for £6.25m in 1997 and has invested more than £200m in interest-free loans.

Pakistani-born Khan — recently named by Forbes magazine as the 491st richest in the world — moved to the US aged 16 and made his fortune manufacturing car parts.

He would become the fifth US-based Premier League owner, following the Glazers, Stan Kroenke, JW Henry and Randy Lerner.

African Rally Championship 2013 – eyes on the Pearl.

Naturally, victory in a new car and taking the national rally championship lead is an exciting feat for any competitor but rally driver Jas Mangat has refused to revel in such glory. He is leading both Africa and Uganda National championships, after he won Martyrs’ Day rally, and gained the 18 points he needed in his newly-acquired Mitsubishi Evo 10 (switching from a Subaru N12)

The Pearl of Africa Rally is crucial to his quest for a double. “I have big names to beat like Ronald (Ssebuguzi) but I’m not worried of anything,” said the champion. The Africa Rally Championship (ARC) event, which also counts towards the NRC, will be held August 16-17 hosting African championship contenders including Essa Mohamed (7^th in Safari Rally). It recently got a boost from Silver Springs Hotel signing an UGShS75m sponsorship package.

The Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally is scheduled for September with more companies called apon to come on board and support the event in the magical land of a thousand hills. The Africa championship will wind up with the Rally of Madagascar in November.

2013 FIA African Rally Championship - Drivers
Pos	Drivers	CIV	RSA	ZAM	TZA	KEN	UGA	RWA	MDG	Pts
1	Jas MANGAT (UGA)	-	-	15	25	18				58
2	Mohamed ESSA (ZMB)	-	-	25	-	25				50
3	Jassy SINGH (ZMB)	-	18	12	18	-				48
3=	Giancarlo DAVITE (RWA)	-	15	18	-	-				33
3=	Eric PAGES (CIV)	25	-	-	-	-				25
6	Jan HABIG (ZAF)	-	25	-	-	-				15