Governing Bodies
Pinnick eulogizes late Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun, promises support for foundation
President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick has promised to help with the sustenance of the Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun Foundation, and be involved in all its activities in the years to come.
The NFF boss made this pledge in his welcome address as chief host at the 50th year remembrance ceremony of the late Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun, held at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.
Balogun, who achieved tremendous fame as the first Nigerian football player to ply his trade outside the shores of this country, and also shone brightly for the Senior National Team, died on 26th July 1972.
Pinnick praised the family of the departed hero for its uncommon commitment for marking the anniversary of his exit in the last 50 years.
“Right from my secondary school days at Hussey College, Warri, Delta State, the name Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun was a household name among young footballers across the country. Anybody among us who had the hottest shot during games was nicknamed Thunder Balogun. We also heard the fable of how Thunder Balogun’s shot tore a goalkeeper’s stomach while trying to stop his hot shot during a football game. All in all, we grew up hearing the story of Thunder Balogun as the greatest Nigerian football player.
“I am happy to be a part of this event and to be talking about the life and times of a man seen as the greatest Nigerian football player ever.
”I attended Hussey College, Warri, which is acclaimed to be the biggest school that trained national players for Nigeria. But I was not good enough to make it as a footballer because of the high standard in my school. Nevertheless, I told myself that I would strive to become one of the top football administrators in Nigeria. Today, I am not just the President of the Nigeria Football Federation; I am an Executive Committee Member of CAF and Member of the FIFA Council.”
Pinnick dismissed conceptions in some quarters Nigeria Football is going through a poor patch.
“Nigeria Football is making progress by all standards. All our junior national teams, men and women – the Eaglets, Flying Eagles, Flamingos and Falconets – have qualified for their FIFA World Cup finals. The Senior Women Team, Super Falcons, also just picked the ticket to play in the Women’s World Cup finals.
The Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles all won WAFU Cup titles recently. These are noticeable feats that amount to some progress. The only one we fell short was the World Cup qualification. This happens in football. It is impossible to win every match.”
Also in attendance at the Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun 50th year memorial event were the First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi; President of the Nigeria Football and Other Sports Supporters Club, Dr Rafiu Oladipo and; family members of the late Teslim Balogun and members of the Anniversary Committee.
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) will hold its Executive Committee (“EXCO”) meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Monday, 21 October 2024.
The Executive Committee meeting, to be chaired by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, will start at 10h30 local time (07h30 GMT).
The meeting will be held ahead of the 46th Ordinary General Assembly which will also take place in the Ethiopian capital on Tuesday, 22 October 2024 at 10h00 local time (07h00 GMT).
Wahid Oshodi, the newly elected President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) has made an immediate call to the private sector to boost table tennis on the continent.
His approach focuses on not relying solely on public funds but on seeking corporate investment to elevate the sport.
He has launched an ambitious strategy to strengthen the development of table tennis in Africa.
His first step has been to solicit the backing of the private sector, which he sees as crucial to taking the sport to the next level.
In his inaugural address, Oshodi emphasised that relying exclusively on government funding and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) “will not be enough to boost the sport across the continent.”
“It’s time to involve private and corporate organisations to help table tennis flourish in Africa.
“We cannot continue depending solely on government funding. We aim to raise the standards and produce more African superstars who can shine globally,” stated the new ATTF president, seeking a significant financial injection to tackle the challenges and ambitions set out for his tenure.
His election, held on 15 October in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was unanimous. Indeed, a clear acknowledgement of his international reputation and dedication to table tennis.
Oshodi, who was previously elected Vice President of the ATTF in 2019 and Executive Vice President of the ITTF in 2021, has more than proven his ability to lead the sport’s development both in his home country and across the continent.
The Lagos-born leader is not only focused on funding but also on fostering unity among ATTF member associations. He believes that a united continent will be stronger and better positioned to succeed on the global stage. “Unity is key. Together, we can achieve more for table tennis in Africa,” he added.
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.
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