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Graeme Smith relishes 50-over World Cup return to Africa
Doha, Qatar: South Africa legend Graeme Smith thinks next year’s Men’s Cricket World Cup will be a landmark moment for the game, highlighting the tournament’s return to Africa and the prestige of the 50-over showcase.
South Africa last co-hosted the tournament in 2003, alongside Zimbabwe and Kenya. They will stage the 2027 tournament alongside Zimbabwe and Namibia. blablasex.es
“It’s been a long time coming since Africa or South Africa hosted a men’s world cricket event again,” Smith said on a star-studded evening in Johannesburg which marked the announcement of the 12 venues that will stage the competition.
“I think the vibrancy of these three nations, the quality of players, the fan base certainly deserves a world event in the game, so it’s great to have it back.”
Smith also underlined why the Cricket World Cup continues to hold a unique place in world cricket despite the sport’s evolving landscape.
The 2027 edition will be the 14th Men’s Cricket World Cup and the first to feature 14 teams since 2015. Smith went on to compare the success of the recently-concluded FIFA World Cup 2026, where 48 teams took part to make the event a massive success.
“We’ve just come off a football World Cup where you’ve seen a massive amount of nations compete and the cultures and the coming together of many different countries getting behind their teams,” he added.
“It’s amazing. With 14 teams now, you hope that many people decide to come and travel to South Africa and be a part of the event."
A fearless leader who epitomises grit and resilience. Graeme Smith - a pillar of South African cricket and a leader like no other. The 2027 tournament will feature 14 teams, an increase from the 10-team format at the previous two Men’s Cricket World Cups.
The marquee tournament slated for next year will be hosted across eight venues in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and the Namibia Cricket Ground in the Namibian capital city of Windhoek. It will mark only the third occasion of the tournament being staged across three host nations after 1996 and 2003. — ICC
Messi scores twice to set Leagues Cup record in Miami victory
Miami: Lionel Messi scored twice on Wednesday to become the Leagues Cup's record goalscorer as Inter Miami beat Atletico San Luis 4-2 at home in the 2026 edition's opening group matches.
Messi, who helped Miami win the 2023 crown in his first weeks with the Florida club, took his tally in the competition for Major League Soccer and Mexican Liga MX sides to a record 14 goals.
David Rodriguez gave San Luis the lead in the fourth minute but Messi equalized seven minutes later.
Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia edged Miami ahead in the 26th minute.
Messi struck again just before half-time with Brazilian defender Micael making it 4-1 deep into first-half stoppage time.
Atletico's Rafa Llorente scored a second-half consolation.
Other Leagues Cup matches on Wednesday saw Dallas beat Queretaro 2-0 and Leon won 1-0 at Nashville.
Harrison clears world-leading 2.34m to win What Gravity Tour in Monaco
Doha, Qatar: American JuVaughn Harrison produced a world-leading jump of 2.34m to win the inaugural Monaco Athletics Festival yesterday, while Qatar’s three-time world champion and Tokyo Olympic gold winner Mutaz Barshim finished ninth in the elite high jump competition yesterday.
The event was part of the What Gravity Tour, the international high jump circuit founded by Barshim in 2025 to showcase the discipline through standalone competitions.
Harrison was the only athlete to clear 2.34m, capping a dominant performance against a strong field of 10 world-class jumpers.
His compatriot Tyus Wilson claimed second place with a personal best of 2.30m, while Italy’s Christian Falocchi took third on countback after clearing 2.27m.
Barshim cleared 2.10m before bowing out. The Qatari entered the competition with a season’s best of 2.27m but was unable to challenge for the podium.
Unlike a traditional athletics meeting, the one-evening festival was dedicated exclusively to the high jump, bringing together some of the world’s leading specialists, including Harrison, Wilson, Jamaica's Romaine Beckford and Barshim.
Sprint legend Allyson Felix begins 2028 Olympic preparations at Aspire Academy
Doha, Qatar: American sprint legend Allyson Felix has chosen Aspire Academy in Doha as a key training base as she prepares for a return to competition with the goal of racing at the 2028 Olympic Games in her hometown of Los Angeles.
Felix, 42, announced her return to competitive athletics in April after a four-year retirement and has set her sights on earning a place on the United States team for the Los Angeles Olympics.
The seven-time Olympic gold medallist selected Aspire Academy as one of her training destinations, citing its world-class facilities and athlete development programs.
"I have been visiting Qatar for many years, and each time I have received a very warm welcome," Felix said in a statement.
"I know very well the amazing sports facilities at Aspire Academy, and it is truly the best place in the world to train."
She added: "It was important for Aspire Academy to be part of my journey as I work on regaining my full physical fitness in this new phase of my life, and I knew I could trust that I would find everything I needed here."
The American sprinter, who has competed in the 100m, 200m and 400m events, said her return is driven by a desire to see what she can still achieve, with the 2028 Olympics providing added motivation.
"It's really about curiosity," she said.
"I'm not trying to be the athlete I was in the past, but I'm curious to see what's still possible, especially since my city, Los Angeles, is hosting the Olympics. My goal is to be part of the national team, and I hope to be part of the relay team."
By hosting Felix during her preparations, Aspire Academy further reinforces its reputation as a leading destination for elite athlete training while giving its student-athletes the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by one of the greatest sprinters in athletics history.