BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau has been elected as the 1^st Vice President of the West African Football Union (WAFU) B zone.

He thus becomes the fifth Nigerian to hold a top position in the West African subregional football body.

Others before him include the founding president, Joseph Kwamina Tandoh who at the time was a vice chairman of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA).

Others are Jonathan Boytie Ogufere, president from 1988 to 1994; Abdulmumini Aminu (1999 to 2002) and Amos Adamu (2008 to 2010) under whose tenure, the hitherto 16-nation body was divided into two – WAFU A and WAFU B.

Gusau’s election took place this Friday in Niamey, Niger Republic on the sidelines of the CAF African Schools Football Championship (WAFU B qualifying tournament.

The WAFU B zone is now made up of seven countries after CAF split what was the biggest subregional football body, not just in Africa, but also globally.

The WAFU Zone B now comprise Nigeria, Togo, Benin Republic, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Cote d’Ivoire.

 The original 16-nation body was founded in Abidjan on 7 September 1975. But 36 years later, life was snuffed out of the biggest subregional football body when CAF on 16 May 2011 split it into two along the zonal divisions of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA).

However, Sports Village Square recalls that WAFU had existed with another name before the foundation date of 7 September 1975. In March 1959, the West African Football Federation (WAFF) was founded, and it comprised the 16 nations that later became WAFU 15 years later.

Delegates from seven countries met in Accra Ghana for a football conference that led to the establishment of WAFF for the Kwame Nkrumah Gold Cup which replaced an annual Jalco Cup competed by just Nigeria and Ghana.

Reginald Allen and Effiom Okon represented Nigeria at the conference.

Dr. Patrick Ekeji, who retired as Director General of the National Sports Commission in 20l3, has hailed Bukola Olopade’s appointment as the new DG of the newly revived Nigeria’s apex Sports governing body.
Ekeji, who has traversed the wide spectrum of Nigerian sports as a participant, trainer, and administrator, informed Sports Village Square that Nigeria got it right with the combination of Shehu Dikko as Chairman and Olopade as the DG.
“He (Olopade) is competent. With Dikko, I am certain they’ll chart and execute a formidable pathway for success in our sports.”

The Republican’s second term as United States president starting in 2025 is already sending shockwaves through the sports landscape well beyond the country’s borders, influencing everything from international diplomacy to gender politics and global events.

His presidency, marked by an ‘America First’ approach and unpredictable foreign policy, could reshape how the United States interacts with international sports organisations, athletes, and fans worldwide. While his administration would likely bring challenges, it could also present opportunities for American sports on a domestic level, despite the potential for friction in the broader international sporting community.

A key factor in Trump’s re-election is the evolving relationship between the US, and major global sporting organisations. As the AP’s Graham Dunbar observed, FIFA is more likely to maintain a positive rapport with Trump compared to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). FIFA “seems in a better place to resume warm relations” with Trump, based on the history of interactions between Giovanni Infantino and the US president. 

Infantino, for instance, congratulated Trump even before the Electoral College win in 2020, using his Instagram account to send his message. By contrast, the IOC has maintained a “public silence” regarding Trump’s potential re-election, adhering to formal protocol. The IOC’s history with Trump includes a memorable, poorly received visit by IOC President Thomas Bach to the White House in 2017, marking a less-than-ideal relationship.

Additionally, Trump’s divisive statements, including his false characterisation of female Olympic athletes and his stance on gender in sports, could create further tension with the IOC. At a recent campaign rally, Trump “falsely labeled two female Olympic champion boxers as men” and pledged to “keep men out of women’s sports,” a sentiment that could alienate athletes and officials alike, particularly within the IOC, which has been navigating increasingly complex gender identity issues in sports, most recently with the Imane Khelif controversy.

However, Trump’s administration may still play a pivotal role in global sports diplomacy. FIFA, for instance, could find itself in a delicate position with nations like Iran, whose qualification for the 2022 World Cup and subsequent political implications were subjects of concern. With Trump at the helm, FIFA might need to carefully manage these sensitive issues, given the administration’s stance on international relations. 

The Associated Press highlights that FIFA “seems to have an open line of communication” with Trump to address “potential challenges,” signaling a practical, albeit politically charged, partnership. One area where Trump’s re-election could intersect directly with the sports world is the bid for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. The United States is teaming up with Mexico for this bid, which will take place amid heightened tensions between Trump and the US Women’s National Team (USWNT), a team that has been vocal in its opposition to his policies.

Despite the ongoing animosity, the prospect of Trump’s administration derailing the US-Mexico bid seems unlikely. As Ben Rumsby noted in London’s Daily Telegraph, the bidding process for the 2031 World Cup will unfold “against a backdrop of open hostility” between Trump and the USWNT, yet the likelihood of it “torpedoing a bid for the 2031 edition also appears remote.” The US and Mexico’s joint effort will likely overcome the political challenges presented by Trump’s presidency, though the tensions within the women’s soccer community could complicate matters.

Additionally, Trump’s re-election may influence the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which will undoubtedly be a global stage for American leadership in sports. The current president of the IOC, Thomas Bach, has refrained from publicly congratulating Trump on his re-election, which contrasts with FIFA President Infantino’s early show of support.

With Bach set to complete his term next year, whoever succeeds him as “the most powerful figure in sport” will need to navigate delicate diplomatic terrain, especially as LA 2028 draws nearer. As the Telegraph points out, the IOC leader “can ill afford to fall out with the most powerful person in the world if the two are to share a stage come the opening ceremony of LA 2028.” The IOC’s ability to maintain a cooperative relationship with Trump’s administration will be crucial, especially as international political dynamics continue to influence the tone and scope of major global sporting events.

In conclusion, Trump’s re-election is likely alter the global sports landscape in significant ways. His approach to diplomacy, trade, and gender issues could complicate relationships with international sporting bodies like the IOC and FIFA, though organisations such as FIFA might maintain a pragmatic relationship due to their past interactions. 

The prospect of a tense bidding process for the 2031 Women’s World Cup and the approaching LA 2028 Olympics underscores the complexities facing global sports as they navigate Trump’s second term. Despite the challenges, the US may still hold considerable sway in international sports, both through its domestic leagues and its ability to host major global events. Ultimately, how these tensions and opportunities play out will depend on the political climate and the adaptability of the sports world to an increasingly polarised global environment.

-insidethegames