By:Hassan Koroma
Fans of Mighty Blackpool continue to express their frustration over the team’s poor display, linking their performance to poor team selection.
The Tiss Tass Boys suffered their third defeat from five matches, losing 1-3 at home to champions, Bo Rangers.
The latest defeat to Bo Rangers left the home fans who witnessed the match blasting the technical team and blaming them for what they described as ‘poor selections.’
One of the club’s staunch supporters, better known as Sugar, said: “The biggest problem they are facing is poor selection, as the coaches are selecting players who do not deserve to even be Mighty Blackpool players.”
Another fan said the coach needs to change his entire selection and turn to players who are committed and play for the club.
Ibrahim Conteh, aka Kallusha, said the club administration needs to give an ultimatum to the team to improve their performance.
He said: “Imagine, five games and just two points, too bad. They need to give the coach and his backroom staff an ultimatum; if they fail, let them and some of the players be shown the exit door.”
One Lansana Turay does not hide his feelings for the technical team, stating that they seem to lack understanding.
He highlighted different selections of players for different matches as one big problem; results are not going in their favor.
“The technical team is making poor selections; they seem to be selecting players just like that. We are the only team that is yet to have a complete first-team choice, and this is affecting our performance,” he said.
Head coach Patrick Bangura was disappointed with the Bo Rangers results, adding that the players failed to live up to expectations.
Bangura, however, called on every supporter to have faith in the team, adding that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Commonwealth Games Federation launches collaborative host selection process
The Commonwealth Games Federation has confirmed the new collaborative host selection process for the centenary 2030 Commonwealth Games and beyond is now underway.
With Glasgow 2026 preparations progressing apace, the CGF is continuing the positive momentum by inviting its 74 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) to lodge formal expressions of interest (EOIs) for 2030 and future editions of the Commonwealth Games.
The CGF’s 2023-2034 ‘Commonwealth United’ Strategic Plan, launched in June 2023, and ‘Games Reset’ allows a move away from the organisation’s traditional host bidding process, enabling it to be flexible in offering the opportunity to potential hosts to be innovative and work collaboratively through a co-creation process on proposals for delivering the Games, while ensuring that all CGAs can meaningfully participate.
The new approach will start with an initial co-creation and collaboration phase between the CGF and representatives of potential host countries or territories along with the respective CGA, followed by a CGF-led evaluation process and recommendation of a host, with the final appointment of the host ultimately decided by the CGF General Assembly.
The CGF has identified a set of principles forming the new framework to create a modern, flexible Games blueprint for the future, including:
Host nations will have increased flexibility to shape the Games and ensure legacy benefit for local communities. The CGF, host CGA, and host Government and community will work together to co-create the event and associated legacy benefits and social return on investment.
The Games will allow for an innovative, inclusive, and exciting sports programme that aims to inspire and positively contribute to the lives of the people of the Commonwealth by showcasing and celebrating its athletes, delivering impactful sporting moments, bringing value and meaningful benefits to hosts, whilst being attractive to athletes and relevant for all CGAs, International Federations and wider stakeholders. The Games will maintain full commitment to providing a level playing field for Para and non-Para sport and supporting the Para athlete development pathway.
CGF President Chris Jenkins said, ‘’We have consulted extensively with Governments, our CGA members and other stakeholders to create a new framework for advancing the relevance of the Commonwealth Games by prioritising the five key pillars of sport, cultural, social, diplomatic and economic impact that underpin the purpose of the Commonwealth Sport Movement and impact of the Games. Building on this framework, we have identified the strong principles that will steer us in the creation of a modern, flexible Games blueprint for the future.
“Glasgow 2026 is set to act as a bridge to a bright future for the Commonwealth Games – an exciting first step in the CGF’s journey to reset and redefine the Games as a truly co-created, flexible and sustainable model for the future that inspires athletes, delivers tangible legacy benefits, minimises costs, reduces the environmental footprint, and enhances social impact,” said Jenkins.
