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“MR RUGBY” NTIENSE WILLIAMS, REGAINS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR SEAT IN RUGBY FEDERATION

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The unceremonious removal from office of Ntiense Williams as the Technical Director by the Rugby Federation President Kelechi Mbagwu has been declared null and void.

That is the outcome of the report by a panel set up by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to investigate the matter.

According to a press statement by the reinstated technical director, the explicit three page judgment was reached after the panel sat, received oral and written evidences from those concerned.

It was stated further that the sports minister, Sunday Dare has ordered the immediate implementation of the report even as the President of the Rugby Federation, Kelechi Mbagwu refused to honour the panels invitations even after repeated rescheduling by him.

The directive for the implementation of the report was signed by the Deputy Director FEAD, Clement Ojile on behalf of the Minister of Youth & Sports Sunday Dare.

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The directive which is  dated 14 January 2020 asked the Rugby Federation President to reinstate the former Technical Director, Ntiense Williams within 30 days.

The report reads:

“Ministerial directive on the implementation of the recommendations of the committee set up to investigate the petition submitted by Mr Ntiense Williams.”

 

“I am directed to draw your attention to the above named subject matter and to convey the directive of the Honourable Minister to you.

 

“The Ministry has noted your repeated failure to honour the invitations of the committee in spite of several rescheduling in other to grant you fair hearing.

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“The Ministry also noted the total disregard to the National Sports Federation Code of Governance 2017, lack of due process in management of technical matters, administrative lapses and your attitude in respect to Ministry’s officials like the Secretary General and Treasurer.

“Furthermore, the lack of inclusiveness in decision making is a factor that has compounded significant distrust among Board Members, Ministry staffs and your leadership. Therefore the Ministry is intent on sanitizing the Federation.

 

“The Honourable Minister therefore has directed as follows:

 

“That the Rugby President Mr Kelechi Mbagwu and the acting Technical Director Mr Yaro Abubakah are hereby suspended from attending any further Ministry of Sports events such as Meetings with the Honourable Minister, National Sports Festival Meeting etc with immediate effect until compliance with the directive is fully observed.

 

“The letter ended by stating that “Failure to carry out the above recommendations within the stipulated time will result in the NRFF Board being dissolved and a Caretaker Committee will be set up to oversee the running of the Rugby Federation affairs until another substantive Board is elected”

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“You will remember that around January 2019, the Rugby President Mr Kelechi Mbagwu removed the dully appointed Technical Director of the Rugby Federation Mr Ntiense Williams and Secretary General Mr Victor Anusa unceremoniously, prompting Mr Williams to go through due process and petitioned the supervising Ministry of Sports for justice.

 

“Between six months, the panel concluded its assignment notwithstanding the change of guards of the Honourable Ministers and Permanent Secretaries, which slightly delayed the implementation of the panel’s recommendations.

 

“The letter which have fourteen well spelt out recommendations ranging from administrative lapses, to financial malpractice and absolute disregard to constituted authorities and due process in the administration of the Rugby Federation amongst others requires an urgent and immediate positive actions to avert any further disgrace which the Rugby President has dragged the game into in recent days.

 

“Last years Lagos Rugby League was won by Police RFC and till today they were not presented the Winner’s Trophy talkless of any cash reward and the National League Finals between the Northern & Southern Winners has been abandoned because his Club Cowrie RFC did not win the Lagos leg.

“No league was played in the South East / South South Region last year as against two years ago when the Technical Director was allowed to function

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“There has been no domestic national program by the NRFF throughout last year. No Technical activities such as Coaching or Referees Course / Seminar or even Clinic. Only the Men National Team went on Rugby Africa sponsored programs, which unfortunately didn’t perform well losing out on the Africa Rugby Premier League which will be kicking off soon across the Continent.

“Not to talk of even Women Rugby or age grade event. Rugby activities has been thriving lately purely through the personal and passionate efforts of individuals who have the game at heart and are prepared to go all out to develop the game in the country.

 

“Rugby activities have literary being grounded in the country if not for the sudden resurgence through the same Mr Rugby Ntiense Williams with the addition of the game in the upcoming National Sports Festival as an optional Sports by the host State – Edo.

 

We sincerely hope and pray that this will once again be the means of reviving the beautiful rough game played by gentlemen.”

 

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Ahead of Nigeria-Libya match: Some kidnapped journalists regain freedom

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An unspecified number of Nigerian journalists travelling to Uyo for Friday’s Nigeria versus Libya’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match have been rescued.

This is contained in a press release by the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Thursday. The association commended the Nigerian security forces for their efforts in the rescue operation.
From the press release, it was gathered that the media men were abducted within the  Anambra and Imo states axis.

”SWAN therefore commends the security operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army and Police for their prompt action which ensured that up to six of the held Sports Journalists regained their freedom with efforts to get the remaining person freed”, reads the SWAN statement.

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Klopp becomes Red Bull global soccer chief in first job after Liverpool

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Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 19, 2024 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts as he gives a speech after his last match as Liverpool manager REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

German coach Juergen Klopp has been appointed head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.

Klopp, who ended his successful nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, will be starting on January 1, 2025.

“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” Klopp, who also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, said in a statement.

“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”

The 57-year-old joined Liverpool in October 2015 and won the Champions League, their first English League title since 1990, the Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his time in charge.

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Klopp, who also led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup and a Champions League final in 2013, had announced in January he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Klopp will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Red Bull-owned clubs in Germany, United States, Brazil and Austria, the company said.

“He will provide strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy,” Red Bull said.

Klopp will also support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.

“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more,” Klopp said.

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Some German media reported his Red Bull contract included an exit clause for the post of Germany national team coach.

Klopp has long been linked to that job, especially after his successful stint at Liverpool and with Germany struggling to make an impact on the international stage in the past decade.

-Reuters

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Cape Verdean, Delgado Rocha, to take charge of Libya, Nigeria battle in Benina

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Referee Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine of Cape Verde

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine, from Cape Verde, as referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, close to Benghazi.

He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official.

Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be in the role of commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer.

Tuesday’s encounter, which is at the back-end of a double header between both nations, will kick off at 9pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).  

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