In this last edition of the 2023 ball show, I propose to address, in a random way, the ups and downs of national sport in the year that is regarding to end.
I will start by highlighting the Angolan women’s handball team that once once more prevailed once morest the strongest teams on the planet in the recently concluded world championship that took place in Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
Gentlemen, it is no coincidence, losing by just one goal once morest the powerful France (29-30), who later, in the final, won the world title, and playing eye to eye with other powers of international handball. This is work, planning, methodology and above all belief in victory.
The Handball Federation should be the reference for the other sports federations in the country to achieve sporting success. There, the Handball Federation has had several Presidents, but success continues, demonstrating in this way that the process is institutional and not individual.
My intellectual honesty does not allow me not to highlight once once more the Palancas Negras’ qualification for the final phase of the CAN, scheduled for next January, in Côte D’Ivoire.
It wasn’t an immaculate qualification, but it was enough to guarantee the required points and thus return to the spotlight of African football. Whether we like the national coach’s choices or not, we have no choice but to support and cheer for a brilliant performance from our national team.
Still from football, I must highlight the campaign of Petro, national champion, in the group stage of the African Champions League. Even without having yet guaranteed qualification for the next phase, with two rounds to go, Petro has had an impressive campaign, with two wins and two draws, once morest difficult opponents such as the two teams that represent Tunisia in the competition.
The good performances of the tricolors have been highlighted by the continental press and beyond, which generally praise the quality of the squad and the Petro management’s commitment to the most prestigious club competition in Africa.
Even with all the controversy surrounding it, the year 2023 was also marked by the inauguration of the França Ndalu Stadium, owned by Clube Desportivo 1º de Agosto.
I have already expressed, on previous occasions, my satisfaction and admiration for projects of this nature that should serve as a reference for other sports associations.
Congratulations to 1º de Agosto and national football for the excellent stage that enhanced the country’s sporting heritage. In 2023, Demarte Pena shined once more when he won the world title in France, in the 12th edition of the ARES Fighting Championship. The Angolan fighter beat Algerian Elias Boudegzdame by unanimous decision.
It was the 13th fight won by the Angolan mixed arts fighter, who is most internationally recognized, adding just one defeat in 14 fights fought.
The 29-year-old athlete is one of the best MMA fighters in the world. On a positive note, I would finally highlight Angolan runner Rui Andrade, who won the title of world endurance champion in the LMP2 class.
The consecration came following the driver won the International Automobile Federation (FIA) World Endurance Championship, in the LMP2 category, in the ‘8 Hours of Bahrain’.
An unprecedented feat for national motorsport and which should serve as a reference and inspiration for Angolan youth, where desire, selflessness and commitment are decisive for sporting success.
The year that is regarding to end was marked by the case of suspected sports corruption that shook national football, involving Petro, national champion, Kabuscorp do Palanca and its President and Académica do Lobito and its coach.
The FAF, the weakest link in this entire process, later reversed its decision and authorized Petro and Académica to compete in Girabola, but sent Kabuscorp do Palanca to the second division.
Palanca’s group went to court, with a precautionary measure, and the Luanda Court suspended the punishment imposed by the FAF on Kabuscorp. As a consequence of all this “mess”, Girabola recorded the biggest closure in its history.
There were more than four months without competition, with direct repercussions on the preparation of the teams that entered the qualifiers for access to the African Football Confederation competitions earlier. May 2024 come with more gifts and more achievements for Angolan sport.
By: LUÍS CAETANO
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
#UPS #DOWNS #ANGOLAN #SPORT #Jornal #OPaís
