Sports

Jailed South African Paralympic champion, Oscar Pistorius, up for parole

Published

2 years ago

March 3, 2023

South African Paralympic champion, Oscar Pistorius, who has been in prison for killing his girlfriend in 2013, is up for parole and will know in a few weeks whether he will be released.

His lawyer, Julian Knight, who made the announcement on Friday, said the legal team has been told that the parole board hearing has been scheduled for March 31.

“We have been advised by the parole board that the hearing will take place on the 31 March 2023. It’s an internal process,” Knight said.

Pistorius, who is now 36, had gotten into trouble when he shot dead his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day in 2013, when he fired four times through his bathroom door in his ultra-secure Pretoria house.

During his arraignment, the double amputee athlete pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder, and denied that he killed Steenkamp in a rage. He claimed in his statement in court that he mistook her for a burglar.

Pistorius who was known worldwide as the “Blade Runner” in his heydays because of his carbon-fibre prosthetics, was initially sentenced to six years in jail but the term was later lengthened to 13 after the State appealed to the court that it was unduly lenient.

While in prison, Oscar Pistorius was made to go through a series of rehabilitation programs, which included meeting with Steenkamp’s parents, June and Barry, last year, in a process authorities said would ensure inmates “acknowledge the harm they have caused to their victims and the society at large”.

A year before killing Steenkamp, Pistorius had made history as the first double amputee to race at the Olympics at the London 2012 games.

Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”