Governing Bodies
VIDEO: NFF holds congress in Lagos on eve of its 89th anniversary
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
The foul air surrounding the holding of the General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Association appears to have cleared. The general assembly originally meant to hold in January this year but was postponed has suffered several set backs.
A court injunction botched the planned congress in January. But when the litigants withdrew the case, another date was fixed for 1Tuesday 16 August in Yenegoa in Bayelsa State.
But now, the train has moved to Lagos where another date of 18 August has been announced. The holding of the Congress in Lagos is almost coinciding with the actual, but yet to be accepted anniversary of the football body.
The NFF, Sports Village Square can authoritatively affirm, was founded as Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on 21 August 1933. The Congress in Lagos on 18 August is just three days short of the 89th anniversary of the football governing body. But the NFF officials across all generations erroneously believe the body was founded on an unknown date in 1945.
In a three minute and 41 seconds video clip circulated across different social media platforms, the NFF Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi, an attorney announced the new congress date even as he gave the background to the whole episode.
The transcript of his broadcast runs thus:
“My dear colleagues, please accept my heartfelt sporting greetings to you and every member of Nigerian football family. In light of all that has been happening in recent times within the realm of Nigerian football, I have decided to send this message of assurance and give my personal stands on this issue.
As you all aware, there has been a dark cloud of uncertainties surrounding the administration of our Football in the past few months. We have situation where, first, the issues of court injunction has affected our Football administration
“Many members of NFF Congress have mandated the Executive Committee to call the AGA within the specified time”
“In line with the views of Football fraternity at various fora, Executive Committee must ensure the 2022 NFF elections hold in September 22 withing the life span of the current Executive Committee”
The plaintiff of Bayelsa State high court has filed for discontinuance of the suite.
In full alignment to the above, I’m aware that NFF Statues is the supreme Law for the administration of Football in Nigeria subject of course to any conflict with the laws of Nigeria
By virtues of NFF Statues, Annual General Assembly as currently constituted is the supreme legislative body for the NFF. In deed, the Executive Committee holds the office at the behest of the congress.
The congress has been informed by the NFF General Secretary that after the botched AGA earlier fixed for 16th August, 2022 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has now been fixed 18th of August, 2022 in Lagos”
As Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, I look forward to receiving you at the Centre of Excellence”
In his submission, The proponent of grassroots Football development affirms that: “I wish to make it abundantly clear that I support the total adherence of the NFF Statues, the supremacy of the congress and the commitments that NFF Elections be held on or before 20 September, 2022”.
As a Football family, this is a yet another time when we are called upon to come together and put Football first.
I thank you for your time and I assure you my total commitment and willingness to see to the bright future of Nigerian football. God bless you “
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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