Governing Bodies
NIGERIA AMONG EIGHT FEDERATIONS OPPOSED TO AHMAD’S CAF PRESIDENTIAL RE-ELECTION
Forty six out of 54 presidents of CAF affiliated football associations have reportedly endorsed Ahmad to seek re-election as president of the Confederation of African Football.
According to information gathered by the Sports Village Square, Nigeria along with Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria, Botswana, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe are the only ones, whose football federations have refused to back Ahmad, the Madagascan who goes by a single name.
Ahmad has been the CAF president since March 2017 when the ancient regime of Issa Hayatou was overthrown in Addis Ababa. His regime however has been characterized by internal chaos, leading to FIFA taking control of it in July last year and seconding its General Secretary, Fatma Samoura to be in charge for six months.
There have been series of allegations against Ahmad ranging from corruption to sexual harassment. He has also been a subject to an investigation by FIFA’s Ethics Committee.
With barely a month to the close of picking nomination form, Ahmad has yet to confirm interest in seeking re-election. Surprisingly, Tunisia which federation is among the 46 to have endorsed the candidacy of Ahmad has two candidates who have shown interest in becoming CAF president.
One of them is FIFA Council member, Tarek Bouchamaoui. The other is Waddie Jary, the president of the Tunisian Football Federation (TFF).
CAF regulations stipulate that only one candidate can come from a country.
Surprisingly, the TFF is noted as one of the 46 federations backing Ahmad. But according to sources, the two Tunisians only signified interests, but yet to pick the forms. The closing date is 12 November.
According to BBC, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) chieftain, Amaju Pinnick ‘refused to rule himself out’ of the race, saying there were ‘a lot of things fundamentally wrong in CAF right now’.
Last week, the NFF board “unanimously approved and endorsed. Amaju Melvin Pinnick to vie for any elective position in the forthcoming CAF and FIFA elections as deemed appropriate.”
But as at this Sunday, neither he nor any candidate has picked nomination form.
Ahmad, according to BBC, has previously said he would seek guidance from the continent’s football fraternity before deciding to run, saying he does the role out of ‘collective motivation’ not ‘personal ambition’.
The statement of the 46 out of 54 heads of the FAs reads:
“Today, we, Presidents of the six Councils of African Football Associations, supported by 46 presidents of our 54 member associations, call on President Ahmad to run for a second term in order to continue with his achievement,” the statement read.
“If he decides to do so, we will support him.” The statement calling for Ahmad’s re-election said he had “brought new impetus to football in Africa”.
“The reforms initiated on the first day of his mandate have built a demanding institution, strong, modern, rising each day a little more to international standards,” the statement read.
“In four years, he managed to set up a new system of governance, collegial, allowing all goodwill to participate in the life of football.
“The fundamental reorganisation of the institution has made the administration more efficient.
“Transparency – particularly financial – has become a major concern, which is improving every day.
“CAF is doing better, but the situation remains fragile.
“Transformations in the institution are bearing fruit, but reforms must continue and good practices take root.
“The culture of high standards must become a habit.
“This requires time, perseverance and vigilance that only stability can bring.”
The statement insisted African football needed to a “vision” and a “modern project” in place, but felt efforts made by Ahmad were “promising”.
“President Ahmad has already spoken of his desire to make football accessible to everyone, regardless of ethnic, economic, religious or gender differences,” the statement added.
“We agree, and we welcome also the historic progress already made in women’s football materials.
“We too are convinced that our sport is a way to create links between all Africans.
“That must be a path to emancipation.
“We believe in the virtues of exemplary football, able to serve as a model for African youth.
“The work carried out on refereeing over the past four years points in this direction.”
A simple majority is required to win the CAF presidential election.
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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