Governing Bodies
Russian striker opposes Russia’s invasion of Ukraine!
Fedor Smolov became the first Russian international footballer to express his opposition to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia posting on Instagram: “No to war.”
The 32-year-old Dynamo Moscow striker’s post is against a dark backdrop and followed by a Ukrainian flag and a broken heart icon.
Smolov, who has 45 caps and has been called up to the last three national squads – expressed his opposition hours after the launching of the Russian invasion was announced by President Vladimir Putin.
On Wednesday, (Feb 23) Benfica’s Ukraine striker Roman Yaremchuk celebrated a Champions League goal by revealing a shirt bearing his country’s coat of arms.
The 26-year-old scored the goal that gave his Portuguese club a 2-2 draw with Ajax Amsterdam and then displayed a black shirt with the Tryzub symbol.
“I wanted to support my country. I thought a lot about it and I’m afraid of the situation,” he told CNN Portugal.
“The club support me, they spoke to me and wanted to do everything to help me. I thanked them, although for the moment everything is fine.”
Other prominent Ukrainian athletes, including footballers and boxers, have come out in support of their country amid the hostilities.
Manchester City fullback Oleksandr Zinchenko, who also skippers the national side, yesterday tweeted it was not just the eastern part of Ukraine that was under attack as Russian forces were targeting military installations throughout the country, including the capital Kyiv.
He also wrote on Instagram: “A country whose borders must remain inviolable. My country belongs to Ukrainians and no one will ever be able to appropriate it.”
Former Ukraine coach and the country’s all-time leading scorer, Andriy Shevchenko, said: “Today is a difficult time for all of us. But we must unite. In unity, we will win! Glory to Ukraine.”
Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, whose elder brother Vitali is the mayor of Kyiv, remained defiant in his belief Ukraine will survive the conflict, tweeting: “It has a strong capital, strong cities, villages and a strong solid and united people who value above all their independence, sovereignty and peace in Europe. “Its will to exist is infinite. Glory to Ukraine!”
Former WTA Finals champion and Tokyo Games bronze medallist Elina Svitolina also expressed her sadness at the invasion on Instagram.
-AFP
FIFA has sanctioned two lower division clubs in Kenya and Vietnam for match manipulation, relegating them to the third tier, world soccer’s governing body said on Friday.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee found Kenyan side Muhoroni Youth guilty of “activities related to the manipulation of football matches and competitions”, expelling the club from the second-tier National Super League.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has further ordered the relegation of the Muhoroni Youth senior team to the Football Kenya Federation Division One League (third tier) ahead of next season,” FIFA said.
Vietnamese club Phu Tho was also found guilty of match manipulation. The club’s senior team was expelled from the Vietnamese Football League Second Division and relegated to the third division.
FIFA said the clubs had been notified and can appeal the decision.
-Reuters
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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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