NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Freetown, Sierra Leone– During an event at the airline’s headquarters, the ATTF delegation, stirred by President Wahid Enitan Oshodi, were received by Ethiopian Airlines representatives Firiehiwot Mekonnen, Head of ET-Holidays, and Mary Legesse, Senior Sales Manager of ET-Holidays.

Oshodi expressly noted his salutations to the airline’s management for their assistance of the 2024 ITTF Africa Senior Championships, which was held at the Ethiopian Sports Academy in Addis Ababa.

“We want to express our sincere appreciation to the management of Ethiopian Airlines for their support of the 2024 Africa Senior Championships,” he noted.

“We don’t take this for granted, and that is why we want to extend our partnership with the Pride of Africa. As a continental federation, we aim to become one of the leading sports in Africa and have decided to collaborate with the world’s leading airline by entering into this important partnership.

“We recognize the strength of the airline as a member of the Global Star Alliance, and for us at ATTF, we want to be identified with you. We hope and believe this will be a beneficial relationship for both parties,” he added.

On behalf of the airline, Firiehiwot Mekonnen said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with ATTF as the Official Airline Partner of the continental body. Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest airline, dedicated to transporting thousands of people to more than 137 destinations worldwide.

“Our partnership with ATTF not only strengthens our connection with Africa but also aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering unity and celebrating excellence.

“As the Pride of Africa, we are committed to youth development through sports, and table tennis being a global sport, we are excited to support ATTF in its vision.

“We understand the crucial role sports play among our youths in Africa, and as an airline that prides itself as the gateway to Africa, we are willing to extend our partnership with ATTF by signing this MOU as a formal start to our long-lasting relationship.

“With the MOU, we have now made it official that we will be the partner airline for ATTF events within and beyond Africa,” she noted.

New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports, Africa Correspondent

]]> https://newafricadailynews.com/2024/10/14063/feed/ 0 https://newafricadailynews.com/2024/02/cote-divoire-sealed-a-grand-total-energies-caf-africa-cup-of-nations-victory-against-the-super-eagles-of-nigeria-sundays-final/ https://newafricadailynews.com/2024/02/cote-divoire-sealed-a-grand-total-energies-caf-africa-cup-of-nations-victory-against-the-super-eagles-of-nigeria-sundays-final/#comments Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:03:15 +0000 http://newafricadailynews.com/?p=13492 By Abdul Rahman Bangura-

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Freetown, Sierra Leone– Sebastien Haller became the hero, scoring the decisive goal as the Elephants completed a sensational comeback. Ivory Coast was totally confused after William Troost-Ekong’s first half opener for Nigeria in Abidjan.

Apparently, Frank Kessie levelled right after the break before Haller, who recovered from cancer in 2023, sparked ecstatic scenes by firing the late winner.

It capped an incredible turnaround for Cote d’Ivoire after almost crashing out in the group stages. Their campaign appeared over after a disastrous 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea.

Truth be told, interim boss Emerse Fae motivated a spirited fightback to reach the final. This resilient collective spirit glittered through again as they recouped from Troost-Ekong’s opener.

Nigeria’s defense looked typically defiant until Kessie rifled in a crucial equalizer. With penalties looming, Haller then struck the decisive blow, firing home with 13 minutes remaining.

His winner comfortably settled a historic comeback amidst emotional scenes in Abidjan. Eight years after their last title, Cote d’Ivoire reign again as kings of Africa.

The victory of the Elephants exemplifies vindication for Fae after stepping in following a sporadic start under Jean-Louis Gasset.

Left at first blush down and out, the Elephants have now refined their roar to win the AFCON on home soil in the most dramatic fashion.

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports, Africa Correspondent

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Freetown, Sierra Leone– The Senegalese team took the center stage on the game, as Habib Diallo positioned his team with a shot after Sadio Mane’s brilliant assist.

The Senegalese scored a goal in the fourth minute, while the Ivorians retorted less than five minutes before the closure of regular time, when Frank Kesi, who recently represented “Milan” and “Barcelona”, but who is playing in Saudi Arabia this season, hit a 11-meter shot.

During the indecisive actions, the ball did not enter the goal only after a shot by Musa Niakhate. The 27-year-old defender has played in the top leagues of France, Germany and England in his career.

The Ivorians lost the second and third games of the group stage, with head coach Jean-Louis Gassé out of a job after a 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea.

The host – Ivory Coast irrespective of critical tough times, pushed to Quarter Finals of the tournament.

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports, Africa Correspondent

NEW AFRICA BUSINESS NEWS (NABN) Freetown, Sierra Leone- According to our sources, former captain and midfielder of Nigeria – Okocha, Gyan of Ghana, El Hadji Diouf of Senegal, and Ahmed Hassan of Egypt, were listed.

Their critical function will comprise of promoting CAF and African Football, equally as playing an important role in other activities including tournaments, charity initiatives, commercial and social events amongst many others as well as collaboration with other football Legends, community role models and other popular personalities which will form part of the CAF Ambassadors Programme.

The intention for selecting the four African Football Legends is geared towards sporting and career achievement, social impact and commercial value.

Augustine “Jay-Jay” Okocha was a delightful ambiance during his days in active football. He won the Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles in 1994 and also Olympic gold two years later in Atlanta, USA.

Similarly, Gyan had a notable career rising to captain of Ghana’s Black Stars, and featuring in seven Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the final in 2010 and 2015. His six goals from three FIFA World Cups makes him the African with the most goals in the history of the Mundial.

Diouf, a two-time CAF Player of the Year is fondly remembered for his exploits with the Teranga Lions of Senegal’s golden generation of the 2000’s which reached the final of the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations and same, the quarters of the FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

Ahmed Hassan was one of the most decorated players in the history of African football, winning four Africa Cup of Nations titles with the Pharaohs of Egypt – 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010. He also famous for his over 170 caps with Egypt, which ranks him amongst the most capped players of all time.

The Ambassadors Program is anticipated to open CAF and its activities to new frontiers with the incorporations of personalities from other fields, and also commercial windfalls and social pedigree across the Landmass of Africa.

For New Africa Business News (NABN) Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports, Africa Correspondent

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Freetown, Sierra Leone - The Bayern Bayern Munich forward, completed second in the 2022 Ballon d’Or awards behind winner Karim Benzema, while Kevin De Bruyne attained third.

Mane’s achievement sees him enter the history books as only the second player after George Oppong Weah to make the top three of France Football’s flagship medal.

Weah, who headlined for Liberia and AC Milan, was capped as a Ballon d’Or winner in 1995 and continues the only African to have won the prestigious individual award since its commencement.

In the last 27 years, though no player from the African landmass had come any closet that shifted during Monday’s colorful ceremony. Mane’s second-place glaze was given rise to feasible by his willful form for Liverpool last season, where his goals assisted the Reds to win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, as well as round the final of the UEFA Champions League.

The 30-year-old also played an instrumental position as Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in January.

Irrespective of not attaining the Ballon d’Or, Mane came to be the first-ever recipient of the Socrates Award in tribute of his philanthropy and other social activities he has begun in his home country of Senegal.

In 2020, Mane allotted 30 million FCFA (almost 45,000 euros) to help fight the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Senegal. In 2021, he similarly ceded a hospital he built in his hometown of Bambaly to the Senegalese administration.

“Like you said, sometimes I’m a bit shy when it comes to talking about it, but I’m really happy to do what I can for our people and to make things better,“ Mane said after receiving the Socrates Award.

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports,  Africa Correspondent

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Accra, Ghana- Liverpool have announced a three-year partnership with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and Economic Development Board as their tourism and economic development partner.

The island nation want to boost their drive in becoming a leading global tourist destination and business hub of Africa.

A year ago, Liverpool who are the 2019-20 Premier League champions opened an international academy in Mauritius and Chief Commercial Officer of the club, Billy Hogan is thrilled with the continuous relationship between both parties.

“This is an exciting partnership and we’re delighted to build on our existing relationship with Mauritius following the opening of the LFC International Academy on the island since July 2019,” Hogan said.

“We have a large, passionate fan base in Mauritius, and we’re pleased to be able to bring our supporters closer to the club through this partnership.

“We look forward to working with Mauritius Tourism and its Economic Development Board to support their ambition to further establish the country as a leading tourist destination.”

Earlier this year, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth visited Anfield and pleased by the partnership with the Reds who share common values with the country.

“Mauritius is proud to be an official partner of Liverpool Football Club, a global football elite [club] and the Premier League champions,” Jugnauth said.

“We both share common values of dedication, determination and unity. This collaboration aims at strengthening and propelling Mauritius as a thriving economic powerhouse and a world-class tourism destination.”

Mauritius are the second African country to partner a Premier League club for tourism promotions after Rwanda’s relationship with Arsenal through its Visit Rwanda initiative.

For New Africa Daily News Richard Adorsu Reports,  Africa Correspondent

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS ( NADN ) Freetown, Sierra Leonne- Multinational, soccer star – Didier Drogba, has improved his motherland, Côte d’Ivoire, strike a compromise of gold by enabling to compile MOUs for a total of $15 billion in obligations to back tourism projects in the West African nation.

The godsends UNWTO Forum for Africa, which took place in Abidjan last week. The momentous Forum de l’Investissement Hotelier Africain (FIHA), which takes place in Abidjan next month March 23 – 25, 2020. FIHA is realized for its proficiency to link up the new investors with developers, consultants, contractors, hoteliers, and political leaders.

The retired Chelsea striker – and now UN World Tourism Ambassador – was part of a thriving global thrust to nurture the soaring achievement and elegance of Côte d’Ivoire’s tourist economy. The country gushes a GDP progress symmetry of 8% in 2019 and, as an objective, it’s in third place in Sub-Saharan Africa, with two million international visitors, behind South Africa and Zimbabwe, ahead of Uganda, Botswana, Kenya or Mauritius (according to UNWTO 2018 data).

Matthew Weihs, Managing Director, Bench Events, which organizes FIHA, said: “This is a remarkable and stunning feat by Côte d’Ivoire; and it makes this year’s Forum particularly interesting because the funding commitments are in place and the task now is to make projects happen.” Last year’s successful FIHA in Marrakech attracted 300 delegates from twenty countries.

In partnership with the banner, Côte d’Ivoire’s Didier Drogba was a main player in a battalion of top Ivorian business and political leaders, as well as show business figures, who took a roadshow to Dubai and Hamburg. They returned with more than 15 billion dollars of funding commitments for a variety of tourism projects, from hotels to resorts and coastline development. All the backers have been invited to attend FIHA.

Philippe Doizelet, the Managing Partner of Horwath HTL, the world’s largest and most experienced hospitality consultants, has been guiding Côte d’Ivoire’s efforts. He said: “It’s a blank page that the industry can write on in the most exciting way. Much has to be built – hotels alongside cultural centres and conference facilities, among other things.

The incredible coastline proposes great ‘bleisure’ (a mix of business and leisure) opportunities. Beyond Abidjan; Boulay island, Bassam and Jacqueville are currently the most promising locations.” He sees the greatest potential in ‘mixed-use’ projects, combining leisure, office and retail units with hospitality, in particular, branded 2-star & 3-star hotels and extended stay apartments.

Leading the country’s ambition to make tourism one of the main pillars of the economy, is Tourism Minister Siandou Fofana. Described by Philippe Doizelet as “visionary and deeply committed. He works hard to bring people together and attracts the best experts.”

Bench Events, Managing Director, Matthew Weihs concluded: “FIHA and its affiliated event, the Africa Hotel Investment Forum, are central to driving investments in the regional hotel and mixed-use projects. The events connect key international and regional stakeholders, private and institutional investors to the hotel developers and operators that are fuelling the growth of the hotel industry across the continent. The projects that are promoted and funded at FIHA drive investments in tourism, stimulate economic growth in regional markets, create jobs and encourage much-needed infrastructure.”

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Suagibu Reports,  Africa Correspondent

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