Governing Bodies
German athlete body slams IOC over “prison-like conditions” at Tokyo 2020
Athleten Deutschland has slammed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for allowing athletes to spend their quarantine period in “prison-like conditions” at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics here.
The German athlete body claims there is an “insufficient provision of fresh air” in quarantine hotels with athletes feeling “left alone” and forced to clean their clothes in the sink.
Measures imposed on those that tested positive for COVID-19 have been described as “grotesque” by the Athleten Deutschland.
It has now called on the IOC to “urgently push for substantial improvement” in quarantine conditions amid concerns from athletes.
Anyone from overseas arriving in Japan for the Games are expected to follow strict COVID-19 protocols during their time at Tokyo 2020.
But Athleten Deutschland has revealed it has received reports from athletes over “a lack of supply of basic necessities”.
Dutch skateboarder Candy Jacobs, among the athletes to have been ruled out of competing at Tokyo 2020 after testing positive for COVID-19, described the quarantine conditions as “inhuman”.
“In the current quarantine hotel, for example, there is an insufficient provision of fresh air,” a statement from Athleten Deutschland read.
“The food supply is neither rich nor balanced and does not meet the specific nutritional requirements of high-performance athletes.
“Athletes who have resumed training activities in their rooms have to clean their sweaty clothes in the sink, which hardly dry afterwards.
“They feel left alone, having to obtain a lot of information on their own.
“It is unclear to them what the exact procedure of quarantine is and what steps have to be taken after it is over.
“We have been told of language barriers in communication with medical staff.”
Athleten Deutschland insists “there is no question” that the strict quarantine requirements must be adhered to at the Games following a positive COVID-19 test in a bid to ensure it does not become a “global super-spreader event”.
The organisation adds that athletes do not anticipate being put up in luxury hotels but expect organisers will provide “adequate quarantine conditions” that meet their “legitimate physical and psychological needs”.
“The IOC has refrained from developing a Plan B from the very beginning and therefore has a special responsibility towards all those involved, including the athletes,” said Maximilian Klein, representative for international sport policy at Athleten Deutschland.
“It generates billions in revenue from their work and their performance without letting them participate in the profits as essential contributors.
“On top, the IOC has also dumped the residual risks from heat and COVID-19 on the athletes through liability waivers.
“It therefore appears grotesque that athletes who test positive have to spend their quarantine in prison-like conditions, while IOC members stay in expensive luxury hotels and are provided with high daily allowances.”
Athleten Deutschland claims the IOC “neglected” the quarantine conditions in the planning of the Games and believes it did not use its capabilities to implement acceptable solutions with those in charge.
In response, IOC Presidential spokesperson Mark Adams expressed his sympathy for those having to quarantine and claimed measures were being taken to improve their experience.
“It is always concerning, but there are extra measures that have to be taken in terms of isolation,” Adams said.
“We fully sympathise with everyone in this situation.
“There are certain regulations that the Japanese authorities imposed.
“The relevant stakeholders are able to have contact with their people who are in isolation.
“We understand it is not easy but it has to be within the Japanese rules and regulations.”
Two athletes from Trinidad and Tobago, 400 metres hurdler Sparkle Ann McKnight and long jumper Andwuelle Wright, were unable to compete in athletics events today after testing positive for COVID-19.
They became the latest athletes to be forced out of the Games because of a positive test for the novel coronavirus.
More than 20 athletes have been ruled out of Tokyo 2020 because of COVID-19, either after testing positive before travelling or in the Japanese capital.
Organisers today confirmed there had been 21 more positive COVID-19 cases in Japan among those accredited for the Games since July 1, bringing the total in that period to 246.
The IOC has claimed the number of infections is what it had been expecting and is proof that the rules in place at the Games, which have been criticised by health experts in Japan, are working.
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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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