Governing Bodies
Managing coronavirus outbreak at the pandemic Olympics
The Tokyo Olympics will be like no other Games, with the spectre of coronavirus hanging over every part of the event, and organisers determined to prevent an outbreak.
Here is a look at some of the ways they will try to prevent infections among some 11,000 athletes, and what will happen if cases do emerge at the Games, which open on Friday (July 23).
What safety measures are there?
The latest rulebook for athletes and sports officials is 70 pages long, and the requirements start before they get to Japan.
Athletes must test negative for the virus twice within 96 hours of travel, and again when they land.
They are tested daily while in the country, and they have to leave the Olympic Village within 48 hours of their competition ending.
And there is no chance to soak up the atmosphere: they are not allowed anywhere except their accommodation and competition venues, with a ban on using public transport.
Masks are mandatory, even on the medal podium, with exceptions only for eating, sleeping, training and competing.
What about vaccines?
Olympic officials say 85 per cent of the athletes and teams staying in the Village will be vaccinated. Getting jabbed is not a requirement, but has been strongly encouraged.
But the anti-coronavirus rules are the same for those taking part in the Games, whether they are vaccinated or not.
Tokyo 2020 has organised vaccinations for 38,000 officials, volunteers, local media and airport staff, among others.
What happens if there is an infection?
Athletes are given daily saliva antigen tests, and if they come back positive or unclear, they will have a follow-up saliva PCR test, which is more sensitive.
If that test is positive, they will have a nasal and throat swab PCR test. A third positive result will mean the athlete is out of the Games.
They have to isolate or be hospitalised, with no chance of rejoining the competition.
What if you are a close contact?
Things are a bit more complicated for “close contacts” of an infected person.
The term only applies to people who have spent 15 minutes or more within one metre of the infected person without wearing a mask.
That might include a roommate, or a dining companion but probably not a tennis partner, for example.
Close contacts are separated from others, put in individual rooms and asked to eat alone.
Initially, organisers said a decision on whether they could compete would be made on a “case-by-case”, based on the risk of them spreading infection.
But now they say close contacts who test negative six hours before an event can take part.
What if someone gets really sick?
Medical staff and facilities are key at any Games, but the stakes are higher given the pandemic.
Organisers say there will be some 7,000 medical staff, including doctors and nurses, but have declined to specify the number of beds available.
The push to find these resources has been controversial in Japan, given a recent surge in infections that stretched the local healthcare system.
To head off that criticism, the International Olympic Committee has pledged to bring additional medical staff from outside to reduce pressure on resources.
Is everyone insured?
Olympic participants from overseas, including athletes, team officials and media, are required to have insurance that will cover medical treatment and repatriation.
Olympic rulebooks specify that the insurance must include cover for Covid-19.
Before they enter Japan athletes will need to sign a “written pledge” to obey coronavirus restrictions, and take responsibility for their trip.
“Despite all the care taken, risks and impacts may not be fully eliminated,” warns the Olympic playbook, which details anti-virus measures.
“Therefore you agree to attend the Olympic and Paralympic Games at your own risk.”
-AFP
The president of the Confédération of African Football, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has announced five new CAF Vice Presidents. They are:
- CAF First Vice President: Mr Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco)
- CAF Second Vice President: Mr Kurt Okraku (Ghana)
- CAF Third Vice President: Mr Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon)
- CAF Fourth Vice President: Ms Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- CAF Fifth Vice President: Mr Feizal Sidat (Mozambique)
In addition, the CAF President has co-opted Yacine Idriss Diallo, President of Fédération Ivoirienne de football, into the CAF Executive Committee.
The CAF Executive Committee also approved the names to fill vacant positions on several CAF Committees.
Organising Committee for the African Nations Championship (CHAN)
- President: Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon)
CAF Technical and Development Committee
- President: Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
- Vice President: Malouche Belhassen (Tunisia)
CAF Medical Committee:
- President: Dr. Mohammed Bouya (Mauritania)
- Vice President: Dr. Thulani Ngwenya (South Africa)
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Governing Bodies
Nigeria becoming an epicentre of global badminton as Francis Orbih enters the Badminton World Federation Council
Laurels on the courts and now glory in the boardroom sums up the mark that badminton is making in Nigeria.
The President, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, has been elected as a council member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
The election took place during the BWF Annual General Meeting on Saturday in Xiamen, China.
Orbih emerged victorious over top contenders from other African countries.
He will join Cameroon’s Odette Assembe Engoulou on the council, while Chipo Zumburani (Zimbabwe) and Hadia ElSaid (Egypt) missed out.
An elated Orbih expressed his gratitude to fellow badminton presidents across the globe for their trust and support.
He said, “I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me by my peers across the badminton world.
“I look forward to quality representation, driving development initiatives, and strengthening badminton’s global reach over the next four years.”
Orbih also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly the National Sports Commission (NSC), which he said played a significant role in his successful bid.
“The Chairman and the Director General of the NSC monitored the entire process. I’m grateful for their involvement and confident Nigeria will benefit from this,” he stated.
He further appreciated the BFN board members and the Nigerian badminton community for their prayers and continued belief in his leadership.
“From the day I declared my intentions, the board members of BFN have been supportive, and I promise not to disappoint them,” Orbih concluded.
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A former member of the FIFA Council, Mamoutou Toure, has been released from jail in Mali after almost two years in detention for alleged corruption, Malian media reports said on Wednesday.
Toure, president of the Malian Football Federation since 2019, was released after 622 days in prison on Tuesday.
He served on the FIFA Council, world football’s all-powerful decision-making body, for four years until last month when he lost his seat after failing to contest new elections.
The 67-year-old was arrested in August 2023 on allegations of embezzling $28 million of public funds but was granted a provisional release order by the Malian courts, reports said.
He was accused of misconduct during his time as the National Assembly’s financial and administrative director from 2013-2019.
Toure denied all charges and, during his time in jail, was last August re-elected as Malian Football Federation president for a second consecutive term, with his supporters claiming he was a victim of a conspiracy fuelled by detractors.
While in jail, he received a letter of support from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. However, as of last month, Toure is no longer a member of the FIFA Council or the Confederation of African Football’s executive committee.
-Reuters
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