The first round of the weather-hit Nelson Mandela Championship, presented by ISPS Handa, creaked to its close on the third day of the tournament on Friday at Mount Edgecombe Country Club in Durban with its highest-ranked player, Branden Grace, signing for a six-under-par 64.

Germany’s popular 2013 IAAF World Championships Shot Put gold medallist David Storl is the latest big name to confirm that he will compete at the Indoor Meeting in Karlsruhe, the opening IAAF Indoor Permit Meeting of this winter’s series,on 1 February.

During international sporting competitions, many Nigerians have always had it tough getting entry visas to host countries. Most often, even the members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club have had to trim the number of their members willing to travel. Even journalists, with supposedly genuine missions have been denied visas to some countries during such events.

Last week’s draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup holding in Brazil next summer may be the ultimate nightmare for most national team managers who have Argentina as group mates. For Carlos Queiroz’s Iran, however, last week’s pairing which put them in Group F with with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia Herzegovina might be a blessing in disguise.

A shortlist of three contenders has been announced for the 2013 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.
Athlete Dina Asher-Smith , shooter Amber Hill and golfer Charley Hull are in contention for the prize.