NBA Oklahoma Thunder player SERGE IBAKA on Wednesday traveled to his place of birth, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, to participate in Campus adidas Ibaka, which will take place from Monday through Wednesday. During his visit, "Ibaka will supervise projects in his hometown, including the construction of a multi-sport sport court for public use." Ibaka will also travel to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo to support the Kinbasketball Jam Session (EFE, 8/21). ... Trainers MANNY FERNANDES and NICK DURANDT "have buried the hatchet to jointly fight the SABC's TV boxing blackout." Arguably "the best technical trainers in the business," Fernandes and Durandt "are working in tandem to groom young fighters through BRD Promotions," which is owned by Fernandes's wife, SONJA (SOWETAN LIVE, 8/20). ... Discus thrower KRISHNA POONIA on Wednesday "rubbished allegations that she had lobbied for the prestigious Khel Ratna award," saying she was only raising her voice against the "injustice" meted out to her. Poonia: "I want to clarify that I was not doing any lobbying. Wrong has been done to me, and I was only raising my voice against that. That can't be called lobbying. It's wrong" (PTI, 8/21). ... Russia "has ruled out naturalizing" Cuban hurdler ORLANDO ORTEGA, who reportedly "deserted his team while the delegation was in Moscow for this month's world championships." Ortega, 22, "disappeared after failing to qualify for the final of the 110m hurdles at the world championships last week and didn’t return home." The Cuban Embassy "has appeared to confirm his disappearance, and his current whereabouts remain unknown." Russian Athletics Federation President VALENTIN BALAKHNICHEV said, "The Russian Athletics Federation is not interested in Ortega’s services as an athlete" (R-SPORT, 8/21). ... In what "appears to be a relationship turned sour," Team India's emerging cricketer VIRAT KOHLI "is now at loggerheads with his long-time sponsor Nike." The sports giant "has accused the Delhi batsman of breaching their endorsement contract" (INDIA TODAY, 8/21).
