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“MR RUGBY” NTIENSE WILLIAMS, REGAINS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR SEAT IN RUGBY FEDERATION
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.
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.
“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”
“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
“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.”
Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD had targeted their Group F opener as their best chance to get a win on the board at the Club World Cup, with Brazil’s Fluminense and German side Borussia Dortmund expected to advance from Group F.
South Africa’s Sundowns took all three points with a 1-0 win over the South Koreans and went top of the group after Fluminense drew 0-0 with Dortmund.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
African and Asian teams are not expected to make much of an impact at the new-look 32-team Club World Cup so points are like gold dust for the likes of the Sundowns and Ulsan.
KEY QUOTES
Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns coach: “We prepared tactically and strategically very well, and then we found a commitment between everybody. I think it was clear we made a very wonderful first half. It was important that we could keep the pace and not stray from the game plan in the second half, so that we could score a second goal that for little details or little centimetres, we could not do.”
Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD head coach: “We had targeted this game to win because we understand the other two teams in the group, Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund, are favourites. Our players gave their best efforts in this game and we’re very proud of their efforts. Now we need to recover quickly for the next game.”
-Reuters
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With a year until Mexico makes history as the first three-time World Cup host, the dream of a spectacular showcase is colliding with the practical challenges of modernising the iconic Azteca Stadium for global soccer’s premier event.
Beneath the imposing silhouette of Mexico’s football cathedral – where Pele dazzled with Brazil in 1970 and Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ propelled Argentina to glory in 1986 – construction crews tackle the formidable task of bringing one of the sport’s most storied venues into the 21st century.
The stakes are magnified as the ‘Santa Ursula colossus’ will host the tournament’s opening match, a global spectacle that will focus the world’s attention on Mexico from day one.
Renovations will expand the stadium’s capacity from 87,000 to 90,000, with upgrades centred on meeting FIFA standards through new changing rooms, enhanced hospitality zones, revamped VIP areas and additional seating in spaces previously occupied by boxes and lounges.
While government officials and football administrators envisioned the project as a symbol of national pride, the renovation process has eroded trust between developers, local residents and other stakeholders.
Stadium administrators announced in February that they had secured a 2.1 billion peso ($110.19 million) credit line from local financial group Banorte – along with a controversial new name: Estadio Banorte.
FIFA regulations mean the stadium will be referred to as “Estadio Ciudad de Mexico” during the World Cup, yet the rebranding has sparked a fierce backlash from some fans, who view it as sacrificing football heritage for commercial interests.
HARSH REALITY
The backlash over the stadium’s new name represents only one facet of the mounting tensions. Box and suite holders – some with relationships spanning decades – have threatened legal action after FIFA announced it would commandeer their seats during the tournament, overriding established contracts.
One member of the Mexican Association of Box Holders has already filed a legal challenge to defend access rights.
Beyond the stadium walls, frustration runs equally deep. Residents of Santa Ursula and surrounding neighbourhoods fear that promised infrastructure improvements like pedestrian bridges and transit lines will fail to address fundamental issues including inadequate lighting, water shortages and persistent traffic congestion.
“We’re not the stadium’s backyard,” one local resident told Expansion Politica. “But we’re always treated that way.”
By contrast, Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico’s other two host cities, face fewer obstacles.
Guadalajara’s 48,000-seat stadium, opened in 2010, has already hosted major events including the 2011 Pan American Games, while Monterrey’s 53,500-capacity venue, inaugurated in 2015, needs only minor upgrades – primarily new turf and a pitch ventilation system.
“We’ll install a system to ventilate and oxygenate the pitch before replacing the grass,” said Alejandro Hutt, Monterrey’s Host City Manager. “That will be an important legacy from the World Cup and beyond.”
As construction continues, Javier Aguirre’s Mexico squad are building towards a crucial summer, with a Gold Cup title defence ahead and friendly matches against Turkey this week, followed by Japan and South Korea in September.
After failing to advance beyond the group stage at Qatar 2022 – their worst World Cup performance since 1978 – Mexican fans crave more than just a well organised tournament. They want to see Mexico break the ‘fifth-game‘ curse and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986, the last time they were World Cup hosts.
-Reuters
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All contenders are now known for this year’s President Federation Cup grand finale, following Saturday’s elimination of Edo Queens and Ibom Angels in the women’s semi-finals.
Multiple-winners Rivers Angels saw off the stiff challenge of Ibom Angels of Uyo 1-0 in Aba, while Nasarawa Amazons bumped Edo Queens 2-0 in Ayingba.
Cup holders Rivers Angels, who have won the competition nine times, will have their hands full against 2005 and 2019 champions Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia.
In the men’s competition, Abakaliki FC of Ebonyi are getting set to tackle Kwara United FC in the final.
Results of Semi Finals (Women)
- Rivers Angels (Rivers) 1-0 Ibom Angels (Akwa Ibom)
- Edo Queens (Edo) 0-2 Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa)
Results of Semi-Finals (Men)
- Abakaliki FC (Ebonyi) 0-0 Ikorodu City (Lagos) – Abakaliki FC win 5-4 on penalties
- Kwara United (Kwara) 1-0 Rangers Int’l (Enugu)
WOMEN’S FINAL
- Rivers Angels vs Nasarawa Amazons
MEN’S FINAL
- Abakaliki FC VS Kwara United
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