Sports

A female Iranian fan cheers after the final whistle during a soccer match of her national team with Iraq in 2022 World Cup qualifiers, at the Azadi stadium in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Iranian authorities allowed women to watch a football match at the stadium as hardliners have long opposed the decision of the government. Iran became the first team from Asia to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar with a 1-0 win over Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Barred from stadiums at home, Iran women travel to World Cup

To 27-year-old Mariam, the World Cup match ticket was a precious gift.…

A female Iranian fan cheers after the final whistle during a soccer match of her national team with Iraq in 2022 World Cup qualifiers, at the Azadi stadium in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Iranian authorities allowed women to watch a football match at the stadium as hardliners have long opposed the decision of the government. Iran became the first team from Asia to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar with a 1-0 win over Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil won the ATP Challenger Tour’s National Bank Challenger Sunday, Nov. 20, in Drummondville, Que., beating American Michael Mmoh in three sets in the final.(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson file photo)

Vernon tennis player up to Quebec Challenge

Vasek Pospisil wins ATP Challenger Tour’s National Bank final Sunday, Nov. 20, outside Montreal

Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil won the ATP Challenger Tour’s National Bank Challenger Sunday, Nov. 20, in Drummondville, Que., beating American Michael Mmoh in three sets in the final.(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson file photo)
FILE - England’s Harry Kane wears a rainbow armband as he takes the knee prior to the Euro 2020 soccer championship round of 16 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium in England. The captains of seven European nations will not wear anti-discrimination armbands in World Cup games after threats from FIFA to show yellow cards to the players. The seven soccer federations say “we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions.” (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)

World Cup teams won’t wear armbands seen as rebuke to Qatar

FIFA warned violators would be immediately shown yellow cards for human rights protest

FILE - England’s Harry Kane wears a rainbow armband as he takes the knee prior to the Euro 2020 soccer championship round of 16 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium in England. The captains of seven European nations will not wear anti-discrimination armbands in World Cup games after threats from FIFA to show yellow cards to the players. The seven soccer federations say “we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions.” (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)
Toronto Argonauts running back AJ Ouellette (34) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver DaVaris Daniels (80) during second half football action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Toronto Argonauts dethrone Blue Bombers 24-23 to capture Grey Cup

Winnipeg was aiming for third straight CFL championship

Toronto Argonauts running back AJ Ouellette (34) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver DaVaris Daniels (80) during second half football action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
Brendan Morrison catches a chinook. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

PODCAST: Brendan Morrison of Pitt Meadows a Canuck for 7 seasons

MOJ on Sports: Centre a key member of the team’s ‘West Coast Express’ line

Brendan Morrison catches a chinook. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Patrick Rodgers, right, watches his drive down the second fairway along with Adam Svensson, left, of Canada, during the final round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

B.C.’s Adam Svensson gets 1st PGA Tour title at Sea Island

28-year-old Surrey man closed with a 6-under 64

Patrick Rodgers, right, watches his drive down the second fairway along with Adam Svensson, left, of Canada, during the final round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio stretches during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar during on Sunday, November 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canada players say team belief is strong ahead of World Cup opener against Belgium

Team hopes to suprise viewers who see Canadians as underdogs, says midfielder Jonathan Osorio

Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio stretches during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar during on Sunday, November 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
The mascot of the Qatar World Cup is displayed during the opening ceremony, prior to the group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Hassan Ammar

Amnesty calls on Canada Soccer to support compensation for migrant workers in Qatar

International organization says workers from Asia, Africa being underpaid, exploited

The mascot of the Qatar World Cup is displayed during the opening ceremony, prior to the group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Hassan Ammar
The two-time defending champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers (bottom, right) meet the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL’s Grey Cup championship for the first time since 1950 today, Sunday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m. Pacific in Regina. (Black Press)

Bombers favoured by six on Grey Cup Sunday

Winnipeg seeks third straight CFL title, taking on Toronto Argonauts, who last won Cup in 2017

The two-time defending champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers (bottom, right) meet the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL’s Grey Cup championship for the first time since 1950 today, Sunday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m. Pacific in Regina. (Black Press)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at a press conference Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

FIFA revenue hits $7.5B for current World Cup period

Commercial deals tied to 2022 World Cup in Qatar

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at a press conference Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Kelowna native Jesse Briggs is looking to help Winnipeg win their third straight Grey Cup on Sunday, Nov. 20. (Photo - @WPG_BlueBombers/Twitter)

109th Grey Cup to feature Kelowna flare, looking for third straight title

Jesse Briggs has been with Winnipeg since his rookie year in 2014

Kelowna native Jesse Briggs is looking to help Winnipeg win their third straight Grey Cup on Sunday, Nov. 20. (Photo - @WPG_BlueBombers/Twitter)
The Sicamous Eagles at Parents’ Weekend, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (Sicamous Eagles/ Facebook)

Sicamous Eagles soar in first game of parents’ weekend

The Eagles beat the Chase Heat 6-1 in Sicamous

The Sicamous Eagles at Parents’ Weekend, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (Sicamous Eagles/ Facebook)
In his first year as the Okanagan Sun’s head coach, Travis Miller led them to their first Canadian Cup in 22 years. (Photo - Marissa Baecker/@okanagan_sun Twitter)

First year, first national title: Travis Miller leads Okanagan Sun to championship

Miller was named the Sun’s head coach on April 2, 2022

In his first year as the Okanagan Sun’s head coach, Travis Miller led them to their first Canadian Cup in 22 years. (Photo - Marissa Baecker/@okanagan_sun Twitter)
Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson, left, of Sweden, and Ilya Mikheyev, of Russia, celebrate Pettersson’s goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Brock Boeser scores twice as Vancouver Canucks down L.A. Kings 4-1

Forward ends 11-game drought without a goal

Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson, left, of Sweden, and Ilya Mikheyev, of Russia, celebrate Pettersson’s goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Toronto Argonauts defensive back Jamal Peters breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Dejon Brissett during a practice in Regina, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Toronto Argonauts will be playing against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: Catching up on the CFL as the Grey Cup nears kickoff

Given status of Bomber QB Collaros, I’d probably take the Argonauts and the 5 points

Toronto Argonauts defensive back Jamal Peters breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Dejon Brissett during a practice in Regina, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Toronto Argonauts will be playing against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
FILE - Bottles of Budweiser beer are on display in a shop window in London on Oct. 13, 2015. World Cup organizers reportedly have made another late change in alcohol policy only two days before games start in Qatar by banning beer sales at the eight soccer stadiums in and around Doha. Media reports say Qatari authorities are pressing FIFA to ban all sales of long-time World Cup beer sponsor Budweiser at the eight venues. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Qatar bans sale of beer at World Cup stadiums in about-face

Major sponsor Budweiser’s Twitter account tweeted: “Well, this is awkward…”

FILE - Bottles of Budweiser beer are on display in a shop window in London on Oct. 13, 2015. World Cup organizers reportedly have made another late change in alcohol policy only two days before games start in Qatar by banning beer sales at the eight soccer stadiums in and around Doha. Media reports say Qatari authorities are pressing FIFA to ban all sales of long-time World Cup beer sponsor Budweiser at the eight venues. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
Eve Munro and Makena Martin (15), celebrate a win alongside their VSS B teammates in the Grade 8 girls volleyball finals Nov. 14. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Vernon squads advance in Grade 8 girls volleyball playdowns in Shuswap

VSS A defeats VSS B in three-set final thriller; both teams advance to North Zone finals

Eve Munro and Makena Martin (15), celebrate a win alongside their VSS B teammates in the Grade 8 girls volleyball finals Nov. 14. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Qatar’s Alrawi, left, tries tp stop Canada’s Liam Millar during the international friendly soccer match between Qatar and Canada, at the Viola Park stadium in Vienna, Austria, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Florian Schroetter)

Next-level opposition awaits Canada’s World Cup team in Qatar

No. 3 Belgium, No. 12 Croatia and No. 22 Morocco await the 41st-ranked Canadians in Group F

Qatar’s Alrawi, left, tries tp stop Canada’s Liam Millar during the international friendly soccer match between Qatar and Canada, at the Viola Park stadium in Vienna, Austria, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Florian Schroetter)
Rowers line up on Quamichan Lake to start a race during Rowing Canada’s 2022 National Championships co-hosted by Rowing Canada and the Maple Bay Rowing Club. (Courtesy of Susan McDonald)

250 rowers gather on Vancouver Island lake for national championship

Brigid Kennedy placed second in the lightweight women’s single event

Rowers line up on Quamichan Lake to start a race during Rowing Canada’s 2022 National Championships co-hosted by Rowing Canada and the Maple Bay Rowing Club. (Courtesy of Susan McDonald)
Erin Haluschak and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)

PODCAST: Black Press insiders Haluschak, Wolf talk 2022 NFL season second half

NFL REPORT: Discussion includes Tom Brady talking about playing in the CFL

Erin Haluschak and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)