Governing Bodies
NIGERIA OLYMPIC BOSS MENTIONED AS CRISIS BREWS AT ABUJA-BASED ANOCA
BY LIAM MORGAN
Mustapha Berraf is facing calls to resign as President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) from a group within the organisation, accusing the leadership of severe mismanagement. ANOCA is headquartered at Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.
A letter sent to all African National Olympic Committees (NOCs),
seen by insidethegames, expresses a vote of no confidence in
Berraf, ANOCA secretary general Ahmed Abou Elgasim Hashim and treasurer Habu
Gumel.
The document accuses the three officials of a lack of financial transparency, betraying the trust of NOCs “through their lack of respect for the very constitution which governs ANOCA” and of bringing the continental body into disrepute.
The letter, which insidethegames understands was distributed by the Liberian Olympic Committee, demands the leadership team “immediately step down from their positions for the good of our organisation and its credibility, to enable our NOCs to focus on preparing their athletes for the Tokyo Olympic Games”.
Those behind the document outline their concern that Berraf, Hashim and Gumel will “drown the organisation in debts that it may not be able to come out from in addition to causing irreparable damage to the image of ANOCA and putting its credibility into jeopardy” if they are allowed to continue.
It highlights nine examples of “practices and actions” which have led to calls for a vote of no confidence, including claims that “huge sums” of money were not used for their intended purpose during this year’s African Games in Morocco.
Concerns over Berraf’s travel expenses are also raised, along with suggestions the leadership team has been abusing its power and not consulted the Executive Committee on important decisions.
Berraf, elected ANOCA President in November, was tasked with overseeing considerable reform and repairing the reputation of the continental organisation.
The letter claims, however, that ANOCA’s crisis has deepened under the Algerian’s Presidency.
“This letter is an expression of our vote of no confidence in their ability to run our institution, which is disintegrating and falling apart before our very eyes and is fast becoming the laughing stock of the world of sport and the Olympic Movement,” the letter states.
“The team was entrusted with putting things back on track and helping ANOCA catch up on lost times as we focus on preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“However, it is sad to note that rather than meet the expectations of the NOCs, this leadership has brought them more troubles and created deeper concerns for the future of the organisation with great consequences on the athletes and the youth of our continent.”
In a response sent to insidethegames, Berraf denied the allegations and said they are “completely false”.
“Our management, which was the subject of a report to the Association of National Olympic Committee General Assembly, was highly acclaimed and demonstrated that in this short time since our election, many initiatives and positive actions have been initiated,” he said.
“All financial and accounting operations are duly controlled by International Olympic Committee (IOC) auditors and Olympic Solidarity officials.
“Only the General Assembly convened in ordinary session can validly evaluate the ANOCA’s expenses and revenues after examination by the auditor.
“A clean-up operation has begun and is beginning to bear fruit.
“Legal action has been taken.”
Berraf is also embroiled in scandal in his role as President of the Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) after the country’s Sports Minister accused him of corruption and financial mismanagement.
A report from the Sports Ministry makes allegations regarding doubtful contracts, suspicions of corruption, embezzlement and favouritism.
It has led to eight members of the COA Executive Committee “freezing” their involvement in the running of the NOC.
The Algerian, who became a member of the IOC earlier this year, disputes the accusations and alleges his detractors are guilty of “misleading and defamatory manoeuvers” to “undermine his image and that of the COA”.
He also claims he has previously been cleared of similar allegations.
Berraf would lose his IOC membership if he is ousted as COA President, as he was elected to the body as an NOC representative.
In a statement, the IOC said its chief ethics and compliance officer Pâquerette Girard Zappelli was aware of the allegations but would not be making any further comment.
-insidethegames
Governing Bodies
Sanusi set for record-extending tenure as Nigeria’s football politicians assemble in Asaba
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Speculations gathered ahead of the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation holding in Asaba on Friday have it that tenure elongation for the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, is a major item on the agenda.
Neither formal confirmation nor denial has been issued since one of the leading newspapers in Nigeria, ThisDay dropped the hint.
The agenda of the meeting is also not made public. Dr, Sanusi is the longest-serving General Secretary in history having been in office from 30 March 2015 making 3,476 days or nine years six months and four days.
It easily drowned that of his closest rival in tenure – Sani Toro whose tenure from 21 December 1993 to 3 May 1999 is merely 2020 days or five years, six months and 12 days.
Thus, no one had enjoyed a longer period in office than the incumbent, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. It is speculated that the tenure will be extended as NFF has reported that all delegates have arrived in the Delta State capital by Thursday evening.
The NFF Annual General Assembly, the first of which took place 90 years ago in Lagos on 19 February 1934, is the biggest assemblage of football administrators and stakeholders in the country.
In one such meeting on 24 July 2008 in Makurdi, the football body changed its name from NFA to NFF.
This year, according to a press release by the NFF, the plenary will have in attendance, the chairmen and secretaries of football associations in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, chairmen and secretaries of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nationwide League One, as well as chairmen and secretaries of the referees’ association, players’ union and coaches’ association. This group of 88 makes up the Congress.
They are joined by the members of the NFF Executive Committee and the management team as well as former NFF Presidents and General Secretaries.
The Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, is announced as the special guest. Nigeria’s Member of the FIFA Council, Amaju Melvin Pinnick is also expected as well as a representative of the West African Football Union (WAFU B).
The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori will declare the General Assembly open.
Venue is the Unity Hall of the Delta State Government House.
Governing Bodies
Like in Egypt, former Nigerian Olympian, Sadiq Abdulahi wants Tinubu to declare ‘State of Emergency’ in Sports
Former Nigerian tennis player and Olympian, Prof. Sadiq Abdulahi has called for drastic action to arrest the decline of Nigeria in global sporting events.
The former tennis player who is now a professor in the United States declared that the “failure to win a medal at the regular 2024 Paris Olympics, the few medals at the Paris Paralympic and the fallout at the National Youth Sports Festival has exposed the deep problems facing the sport’s sector.”
He wants Nigeria to have the same approach that the Egyptian president has taken while reacting to the country’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olypics.
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered a comprehensive evaluation of sports federations that participated at the Paris Olympic Games, following a mission report submitted by the country’s sports minister.
According to Prof. Abdulahi, the National Sports Federations charged with the preparation of elite athletes have failed to do their job despite the cry for funding from the government.
“Federal Government cannot adequately fund all the Olympics sports. It is impossible.
“By declaring a state of emergency, new people, new approaches and new funding models will be identified. More importantly, the Federal Government will redefine grassroots sports development.
“We will lay sustainable foundation for sports development.”
Continuing, he called for the return of the National Sports Commission (NSC) which enabling decree was abolished through Decree No. 7 of 1991, but came back through presidential proclamation under Sani Abacha before it was abolished again.
The original NSC was established in 1964 as National Sports Council before the promulgation of Decree 34 of 1971 which legalised it as the apex Federal Government agency to control, regulate and organize sports.
“The FG may now bring back the National Sports Commission or the National Sports Authority. Our emerging national economy with the full participation of the private sector can support this new beginning. I hope this helps.”
RELATED STORY: President Al-Sisi orders sports system overhaul
Governing Bodies
CAF gives Yoruba and Arabic interpretations of ‘OLA’ the Super Cup 2024 Official Match Ball
The Confédération African of Football, CAF, has given the linguistics interpretation of OLA, the confederation’s official match balls produced by Puma which has also unveiled a special edition for the Super Cup duel holding on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
According to CAF, OLA, symbolizing the dynamic and energetic nature of African football, means “wealth,” “honour,” and “respect” in Yoruba and “rise” and “success” in Arabic.
The OLA ball stands out with its vibrant design and cultural significance. “OLA”
The ball is a mix of black and gold, representing power and sophistication. The ball will be the centrepiece of the eagerly-awaited match between the two giants of African football.
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