Governing Bodies
Nigeria @ 61: Media men, the unheralded heroes of Nigerian sports
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Year in year out, Nigerians celebrate the attainment of self government by reeling out sectoral marks including that of sports. Mention is hardly given to those people whose efforts had seen Nigerian sports leaping over national frontiers.
These are the media men, the sports journalists who have in various forms contributed to national development. They represent the factor responsible for the spread of sports which have helped in building bridges.
They are the bridge for the fans, the participants and the sports disciplines. If people talk about a factor responsible for spread of sports’ passion, they are directly talking about the sports writer.
In the 61 years of Nigerian independence, while growth in sport has been dynamic, the mass media undoubtedly, are in the vanguard of factors leading to its growth and popularity.
The media make it possible for sports to vault over regional, national and even continental frontiers. Through the mass media, it is possible for the prowess of a hitherto local star to stimulate the invasion of foreign scouts.
The mass media have therefore been partly responsible for the fame and wealth some of the footballers are getting.
Also, through the works of the sports journalists, the local fans become privy to the exploits of the legion of Nigerian players abroad.
The attention which the mass media lavish on sports generally, and football in particular, is illustrated by the comparison with other segments of the national life.
Radio and television broadcast have special time allocated to sports reporting. It is even more glaring in newspapers.
Globally, since the 1870s when the Hungarian-American newspaper publisher, Joseph Pulitzer organised the first sport department in his just purchased New York World, it had become traditional for publications to separate sports news from the rest.
While economic, political and other social matters are often parts of regular news reports; sports have their distinct pages and often encroach into pages for regular news such as front page when the events assume greater proportions.
Some editors have found the need to make sports pages the selling factor of their newspapers.
The relationship between sports and the media is therefore inter-dependent. The newspapers have the tendency to believe that they need sports, to sell more copies.
Sports too, need the media to sell themselves. The relationship is therefore symbiotic.
It is therefore to the credit of sports journalists that passion for sports, especially, football has been pervasive. To the overwhelming fans that are relegated to the anonymity of spectators’ stands, the sports journalist serves a vital role.
It is through his works that the fan follows the actions in his favourite sport and improves his knowledge of the star performers.
Larry Izamoje set up the first sports radio in the country and the station has done so well in getting many Nigerians informed. Thanks to the penetrating effect of radio.
The media men have not only kept alive the entertainment values of sports, but have also supplied informative and educative news on the game. Through surveillance journalism, the Nigerian sports writers had supplied vital information on Nigerian oppositions, so that in the march to victory of the Super Eagles for instance, the press played vital roles.
When in 1989 Nigeria suffered a two-year ban on infringement on age-regulations, the National Concord, through a series of articles, revealed FIFA’s double standard on the issue as some notable football powers – Brazil and Italy – had committed similar offence.
Since 1960, the media has produced an array of sports journalists. For purpose of easy comprehension, football writing will be used to illustrate the illustrious contributions by the media men.
Football undoubtedly gains its pride of place, owing to the lavish attention of the mass media, both traditional and the new.
The mass media undoubtedly, are in the vanguard of factors leading to its growth and popularity. The newspapers, the radio, television and lately, the social media, make it possible for football to thrive.
Through the mass media, it is possible for the prowess of a hitherto local star to stimulate the invasion of foreign scouts. The mass media have therefore been partly responsible for the fame and wealth some of the footballers are getting.
Practitioners are now moving from the era of merely reporting the game to administering it. Many well respcted sports journalists have moved from what they were reporting to perform rescue jobs in administration.
One of the well-respected sports journalists, Paul Bassey (Paul or is it “Sport” Bassey), was called up for rescue mission in his home state, Akwa Ibom and has twice the club into continental competitions and a one league tile.
Bassey is treading a path that is not too unfamiliar for the sport journalists. Aisha Falode, a queen in sportscasting, has been a recurring face in women football administration.
Also, more than any position, journalism can lay claim to the soul of Nigerian league! Four of the current 20 clubs, almost a quarter of the fold in the elite Nigerian league, are being run by journalists.
Tell me of another career that can boast of the feat. It is a reward for the services journalism has rendered
to the beautiful game.
Before Bassey in the present dispensation, we have Emeka Inyama, who took Abia Warriors from the lower rung of the league to the premier division.
Inyama is a journalist, who had worked at the Imo State-owned Statesman, Champion Newspapers and later the Sportslink.
Godwin Enakhena, whose daily presentations on radio and television are delights, steered the MFM team from the Nigeria National League, the second-tier division in Nigerian football, to the premier league. As the General Manager of the club, he steered it to become the winners of a global tournament among churches in 2014.
Also, Moses Etu, the journalist who transited from being a media officer to chairman of continental title chasing Warri Wolves. His story is almost like that of the Biblical Joseph. He was probably thinking on how he would consolidate his position as media officer of Warri Wolves, a position he assumed in 2013, but he got a surprise package as he was named the ‘supremo’ of the club on January 5 this year.
Prior to his joining the club, he had been a freelance journalist with National Sportslink, SoccerStar before joining the Delta State-owned newspaper, The Pointer in 2008.
Before the quartet of Bassey, Inyama, Enakhena and Etu, Fan Ndubuoke, another notable journalist steered Heartland to win the Federation Cup in 2012, just as Bode Oyewole who had been a journalist at Radio Nigeria
Ibadan led Shooting Stars to win the league in 1998.
Perhaps, as a tribute to journalism, that was the last time the club tasted national honours. Journalism did not just end at putting its personnel in high position of running the clubs; the control of football associations has been getting journalistic influences.
Fan Ndubuoke once headed the Imo State FA, just as his ‘twin’ brother from another mother; Emeka Inyama did some years ago in Abia State. Frank Ilaboya, another journalist headed the Edo State FA. Journalists are not done yet.
Nduka Irabor, another notable journalist midwifed the present dispensation of the improved premier league as the pioneer boss of the League Management Company.
In other category, Alloy Chukwuemeka, who was a freelance journalist at both Sportslink and SoccerStar later became the Team Manager and later General Manager of the Ilorin-based ABS club.
For some time, he has been the secretary of the Club Owners Association.This brings to relevance, the age long quote of former England and West Ham United player, Malcolm Allison: “A lot of people in football don’t have much time for the press; they say they’re amateurs. But I say to those people. ‘Noah was an amateur when he built the Biblical Ark, but the Titanic (supposedly unsinkable, but sank in its first voyage) was built by professionals.
The Confederation of African Football has dismissed Yasin Osman Robleh, the Djiboutian official who headed its judicial bodies for the past six years, in a move aimed at restoring confidence in the organisation’s disciplinary processes.
According to reports from convergence sources, the decision was confirmed on Saturday by CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba, bringing an abrupt end to Robleh’s tenure overseeing the confederation’s disciplinary and investigative committees since 2019.
Robleh’s position reportedly came under increasing pressure following the controversy surrounding sanctions imposed after the Africa Cup of Nations Final between Morocco and Senegal. The disciplinary decisions that followed the match sparked criticism from several quarters and placed CAF’s legal framework under intense scrutiny.
In response to the situation, CAF’s Executive Committee has appointed Togolese lawyer Cedric Egai, currently the confederation’s Director of Legal Affairs, as interim head of the judicial bodies.
Egai is expected to stabilise the organisation’s legal arm while CAF works toward appointing a permanent successor to Robleh.
Disciplinary Decisions Delayed
The leadership change has already affected ongoing disciplinary processes within the confederation. CAF’s disciplinary committee reportedly held hearings last Thursday on several cases, including the high-profile encounter involving Egypt’s Al Ahly and Morocco’s AS FAR.
However, decisions on those matters have been temporarily put on hold pending the confirmation of new leadership within the judicial structure.
Sources indicate that once a permanent successor is appointed, CAF will move swiftly to conclude outstanding disciplinary rulings affecting both clubs and national teams.
Restoring Confidence
The move is widely seen as part of CAF’s effort to restore confidence in its judicial system following weeks of controversy surrounding disciplinary decisions at major competitions.
Robleh’s departure closes a significant chapter in CAF’s legal administration, while Egai’s interim appointment signals a potential shift in leadership and governance at a critical time for African football.
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Governing Bodies
Countdown Rule Introduced To Crack Down on Time-Wasting in Substitutions and Spot Kicks
Global football’s law-making body, The International Football Association Board (IFAB), has approved a landmark package of reforms aimed at protecting effective playing time, reducing time-wasting and strengthening disciplinary oversight ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The decisions were taken at IFAB’s 140th Annual General Meeting (AGM), chaired by Mike Jones, President of the Football Association of Wales, during celebrations marking the FAW’s 150th anniversary.
The reforms, which will apply from the 2026/27 season and be implemented at the 2026 World Cup and other competitions, respond to growing calls across the football community for measures that preserve match tempo and reduce deliberate disruption.
Five-Second Countdown for Throw-Ins and Goal Kicks
Building on last season’s amendment preventing goalkeepers from holding the ball for excessive periods, IFAB has extended the countdown principle to throw-ins and goal kicks.
If a referee judges that a restart is being deliberately delayed, a visible five-second countdown will begin. Failure to put the ball back into play within that period will result in possession being awarded to the opposing team. In the case of a delayed goal kick, the sanction escalates to a corner kick for the opposition.
The measure is designed to eliminate a common time-management tactic frequently deployed late in matches.
Strict Timelines for Substitutions
To further streamline match flow, substituted players must leave the field within 10 seconds of the substitution board being displayed or the referee’s signal being given.
Players who exceed that limit must still exit immediately, but their replacement will not be allowed to enter until the next stoppage after one minute of running clock time has elapsed — effectively discouraging slow exits intended to run down the clock.
Mandatory One-Minute Absence After On-Field Treatment
Under another significant change, players who receive on-field medical assessment — or whose injury prompts a stoppage — must leave the pitch and remain off for at least one minute once play resumes.
The rule aims to curb tactical injury interruptions while still safeguarding genuine medical needs.
IFAB also approved further trials to assess goalkeeper-related tactical injury delays and explore deterrent options.
VAR Protocol Expanded to Include Second Yellow Cards
In a notable development for officiating, IFAB expanded the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol.
The VAR will now be permitted to review:
- Red cards resulting from a clearly incorrect second yellow card;
- Mistaken identity cases where the wrong player is cautioned or sent off;
- Clearly incorrectly awarded corner kicks, provided the review can be completed immediately without delaying the restart.
The move addresses longstanding criticism that second cautions — unlike straight red cards — were previously outside VAR review scope, despite their decisive impact on matches.
IFAB also confirmed continued trials of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) and ongoing development of FIFA-led Football Video Support (FVS).
Amendments to the Laws of the Game 2026/27
The next edition of the Laws of the Game, effective 1 July 2026 (with early adoption permitted), will introduce further clarifications and adjustments:
- Law 3: Senior ‘A’ international friendlies may now allow up to eight substitutes, expandable to eleven by mutual agreement.
- Law 4: Non-dangerous equipment will be permitted if safely covered.
- Law 5: Referee body cameras (head- or chest-mounted) may be used at competition discretion, with organisers controlling footage.
- Law 8: Clarifies that a dropped ball will be awarded to the team that would likely have retained possession.
- Laws 10 & 14: Formal incorporation of guidance on accidental “double touch” penalty incidents.
- Law 12: Where advantage is played for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity and a goal is scored, the offender will not be cautioned.
Focus on Discriminatory Behaviour and Player Protests
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, IFAB agreed that further consultation will be undertaken to develop tougher measures against discriminatory conduct.
The board will also examine scenarios where:
- Players leave the field collectively in protest of refereeing decisions;
- Players cover their mouths while confronting opponents — a practice viewed as undermining transparency.
A Forward-Looking Agenda
The AGM, attended by representatives from FIFA, The FA, the Scottish FA, the FA of Wales, the Irish FA and IFAB administration, signals what officials described as a decisive effort to modernise the sport.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, IFAB’s reforms represent one of the most comprehensive tempo-focused overhauls in recent years — an attempt to ensure that football remains faster, fairer and more resistant to manipulation of time.
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Governing Bodies
Infantino marks 10 years as FIFA President, hails reforms and global expansion of the game
Gianni Infantino has marked the 10th anniversary of his election as FIFA President by declaring that “we have brought football back to FIFA and FIFA back to football,” while thanking the organisation’s 211 member associations for their support over the past decade.
In a letter sent to the presidents of all 211 member associations, Infantino reflected on his election at the Extraordinary Congress in Zurich, Switzerland, on 26 February 2016, recalling that FIFA was facing a crisis that threatened its very existence at the time.
“By voting for me, the FIFA Congress chose to chart a new path forward built on reform, transparency and development,” he wrote. “I believe we have successfully brought football back to FIFA and FIFA back to football. And we have done so together.”
Infantino stressed that unity between FIFA and its Member Associations had been central to the organisation’s transformation.
“It is therefore with a great sense of unity that I would like to extend my deepest thanks for your work, your dedication and, of course, your unwavering support in making this possible and for your role in bringing FIFA back to football over the last 10 years,” he said.
Describing FIFA as “the glue that binds the footballing pyramid and the wider footballing ecosystem together,” Infantino underlined the importance of a strong and trusted governing body for the continued growth of the sport.
“A strong, trusted and unified FIFA is not only desirable, but also in fact necessary for our sport to continue to flourish,” he added. “Although we live in a world marked by division and conflict, football is still the great power that unites us all.”
Key achievements highlighted
In his message, the FIFA President outlined 11 major achievements since 2016, beginning with increased financial support to Member Associations through the FIFA Forward Programme. Introduced in 2016, funding to MAs has increased sevenfold, with associations empowered to determine how best to invest in football development within their territories.
He also pointed to the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, designed to ensure that every young player has the opportunity to develop regardless of financial background or geography, alongside enhanced capacity building in administration, finance, infrastructure, medical services, safeguarding and women’s leadership.
Infantino noted greater involvement of Member Associations in decision-making through FIFA Executive Summits and newly introduced Standing Committees, as well as reforms aimed at boosting transparency, including annual accounts delivered under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and clearer bidding processes for major tournaments.
On the field, the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in 2018 — now implemented in 83 Member Associations — was cited as a key step towards greater fairness. FIFA has since introduced VAR Light and Football Video Support to widen access to video technology. In 2024, all 211 MAs also unanimously backed a Global Stand Against Racism initiative.
Infantino further highlighted expanded playing opportunities across competitions. The FIFA World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, while the FIFA Women’s World Cup grew to 32 teams in 2023 and is set to expand to 48 from 2031. More than 1,700 women’s development projects have been delivered across 204 Member Associations.
Youth competitions have also been broadened, including the expansion of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for both boys and girls and the introduction of a new festival-style FIFA U-15 Youth World Cup open to all 211 MAs.
The letter referenced relief measures during times of hardship, notably the COVID-19 Relief Plan, which made USD 1.5 billion available, emergency disaster funding via the FIFA Foundation, and a post-conflict recovery fund approved in December 2025 to support football communities affected by war.
At club level, Infantino highlighted the historic first 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, the new FIFA Women’s Club World Cup planned for 2028, and the launch of annual intercontinental competitions and an expanded FIFA Club Benefits Programme.
Concluding his message, Infantino reiterated his gratitude to Member Associations for “keeping the best interests of football at heart,” expressing confidence that a united global football community would continue to drive the sport’s growth in the years ahead.
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