Governing Bodies
DARE RESTATES ‘BABA IJEBU’ AND DANGOTE’S COMMITMENTS TO RENOVATE LAGOS AND ABUJA STADIUMS
With the flagging off of the ‘The Adoption Campaign’ by the Nigeria’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, the minister, Sunde Dare has restated that business moguls, Chief Adebutu Kessington popularly known as Baba Ijebu and Alhaji Aliko Dangote have respectively‘adopted’ the National Stadium in Lagos and the Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The duo according to the Sports Minister, have accepted the offer as part of the respective Corporate Social Responsibility of their respective companies. The Adopt Campaign for sports in Nigeria held Monday at the Civic Centre in Lagos, at the instance of the Sports Ministry.
Dangote is a well known figure in sports circle after his numerous philanthropic gestures especially to the Super Eagles but Chief Kessinton who as been sponsoring football at the grassroot level is on the national limelight for the first time.
While Dangote will take charge of the Moshood Abiola stadium in Abuja, Kessinton who is into sports betting business will renovate the dilapidated National Stadium in Lagos according to the Sports Minister during the laugh on Monday night.
The Abuja stadium which was completed in 2003 in readiness for the African Games, which Nigeria hosted may only need regular maintenance but the playing turf requires outright replacement.
The same cannot be said of the stadium in Lagos that was built in 1972 for the hosting of the 2nd African Games. The stadium tagged ‘Sports City’ is a shadow of itself even after a complete renovation in 1999 for the Under 20 FIFA World Cup finals.
The main bowl is completely out of fashion and the last time it staged an official match was in 2001 when the Super Eagles defeated Zambia in AFCON qualifying match.
There had been several futile attempts to renovate the multi-purpose edifice that currently serves as home to urchins and rodents while the once hallowed main bowl serves as a venue for parties and religious activities.
Formerly a Mecca of some sort to sports men and women across Africa, the stadium comprises an Olympic-size swimming arena and a multipurpose arena used for basketball, volleyball, table tennis, wrestling and boxing matches.
It hosted several international competitions including the 1980 African Cup of Nations final, the 2000 African Cup of Nations final, and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
The facility has inexplicably been left to dilapidate since 2002 and last hosted a national team game in 2004.
The Adoption Campaign has three components. To adopt a home-based Athlete is $10,000 and to adopt a foreign-based athlete is $20,000.
All proceeds will go to the athletes, pay their coaches, the therapist and other necessary things.
Governing Bodies
FIFA Museum Unveils Groundbreaking Exhibition on Football Innovation

The FIFA Museum in Zurich has launched a new special exhibition titled Innovation in Action: Football Technologies on and off the Pitch, offering visitors an unprecedented glimpse into how innovation is transforming the world’s most popular sport.
Opened on Monday, October 1, 2025, the immersive showcase was developed in collaboration with the FIFA Innovation Team and other departments within world football’s governing body. It explores how cutting-edge technology supports players, referees, and fans—enhancing performance, ensuring fairness, and enriching the overall football experience—while preserving the game’s passion and human spirit.
“What makes this exhibition truly special is that we can give visitors a never-before-seen behind-the-scenes look that allows them to step inside football innovation, experiencing it hands-on rather than just reading about it,” said Marco Fazzone, Managing Director of the FIFA Museum. “We offer a glimpse at technologies and tools that fans don’t normally get to experience up close, while also showing how innovation has evolved over almost 100 years of FIFA World Cup history.”
Organised around five themed sections — Broadcasting & Media, Intelligent Data, Refereeing & Fair Play, Staging the Game, and the Innovation Lab — the exhibition blends rare artefacts with interactive displays. Visitors can relive football’s broadcast evolution, from the black-and-white footage of the 1954 World Cup to today’s ultra-slow motion 4K replays, and even step into a virtual referee booth to experience the pressures of officiating in real time.
Among the standout features is the FIFA Player App, which allows fans to explore Chelsea star Cole Palmer’s performance statistics from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final, illustrating how data helps players refine their craft.
Another exhibit showcases Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s water bottle from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 — marked with opponents’ penalty data — revealing how analytics influence critical moments.
Visitors can also view a referee body camera used at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, giving a fresh perspective on decision-making from the official’s point of view.
The exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with football technology. They can test their reflexes and judgment as referees, operate goal-line technology systems, or assume the role of a broadcast director managing live match feeds. Data enthusiasts can analyse player movements, while aspiring innovators can design their own football tech concepts inside the Innovation Lab.
Innovation in Action runs until 31 March 2026 at the FIFA Museum in Zurich. Entry is included with a standard museum ticket.
With its rich mix of storytelling, interactivity, and history, the exhibition promises to be a must-see experience for anyone passionate about the future of the beautiful game.
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Governing Bodies
Football cannot solve conflict but carries message of peace, says FIFA’s Infantino

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that football could not solve conflicts, but it must carry a message of peace and unity as Israel’s military operation in Gaza and other global tensions fuel calls for the sport to take a stand.
“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” Infantino told a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich where he met Palestinian federation president Jibril Rajoub.
“Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”
Infantino said world football’s governing body could not solve geopolitical crises, but “it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”
“I met Palestinian Football Association (PFA) President Jibril Rajoub today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East region,” Infantino later wrote on Instagram.
“I commend President Rajoub and the PFA for their resilience at this time and I reiterated to him FIFA’s commitment to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world.”
FIFA has faced repeated calls to act over the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials pressing for Israel to be suspended from international football.
The issue has been under review by FIFA for months, but no decision has been taken. Infantino has consistently said such matters require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with caution.
The comments came a day after FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani noted that any decision over Israel’s participation in European competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, was a matter for UEFA to decide, effectively putting the onus on the European body.
“First and foremost, it (Israel) is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason… They have to deal with that,” Montagliani told reporters at the Leaders sports business conference on Wednesday.
Israel are third in Europe’s Group I of the qualifying stage for next year’s World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Amnesty International on Wednesday sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA calling on them to suspend the Israel Football Association.
-Reuters
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Governing Bodies
NFF Clarifies Position on Statutes, Denies Plans for Immediate Amendments

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports suggesting that its Statutes will be amended at this year’s Annual General Assembly (AGA), insisting that no such plans are on the table for the September 27 meeting.
In a statement, the Federation stressed that the ongoing conversation around its Statutes remains at a preliminary stage and that suggestions of imminent changes are unfounded.
Ahead of the AGA, the NFF will host a workshop on September 26, bringing together representatives of its members, as well as officials from FIFA and CAF. According to the Federation, the forum is strictly consultative, designed to deliberate on proposals for new Statutes in line with the principles of good governance and international best practices.
The NFF explained that only after consensus is reached with its members will a separate General Assembly be convened to formally consider and adopt any proposed Statute changes.
“The NFF remains committed to due process, transparency, and working hand-in-hand with its General Assembly Members, FIFA, and CAF,” the statement read.
“The ultimate goal is to establish enduring Statutes that will strengthen governance, broaden representation, and promote inclusivity within Nigerian football.”
The Federation added that the long-term reform framework is aimed at ensuring stability and progress across its structures and enhancing the participation of all stakeholders in the country’s football administration.
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