Governing Bodies
TOKYO 2020 VOLUNTEER TRAINING POSTPONED OVER CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
BY MICHAEL PAVITT.
Tokyo 2020 has postponed the training of Olympic and Paralympic Games volunteers due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The first training sessions for volunteers, known as the “Field Cast”, began back in October.
Organisers said at the time that around 300 general training events would take place at 13 venues in 11 prefectures in the host nation by the end of February.
The general training sessions have briefly been halted due to the coronavirus outbreak, with Tokyo 2020 saying these will be rescheduled for a later date.
“As part of efforts to prevent the spread of infection of the novel coronavirus, we have decided to postpone trainings,” a Tokyo 2020 statement read.
“Cast members will be informed of rescheduled dates, venues, and other details in a separate notification.
“The Organising Committee continues to work closely with all related organisations to prepare for a safe and secure Tokyo 2020 Games.
“There are no considerations of cancelling the Games nor will the postponements of these activities have an impact on the overall Games preparation.
“In accordance with the government’s policy for preventing the spread of infectious diseases, we will also evaluate the immediate need for each Games-related event on a case by case basis.
“At all Tokyo 2020 events, we ask that all participants take appropriate measures to ensure that all will be able to participate in safety and with peace of mind.”
The training sessions are aimed at providing volunteers with the essential knowledge needed for the Games.
Sessions include an introduction from the participants and a lecture on what they should expect as a member of the Field Cast.
They will be provided with an overview of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as receiving a history lesson.
Training on diversity and inclusion will also be included, along with the rules and rewards of volunteering.
In total, 80,000 volunteers will support the Games, after being selected from 204,680 applicants.
Volunteers will provide support in guiding spectators, competition and media operations.
They will also be deployed in various locations, including competition venues and the Athletes’ Village.
The Field Cast volunteers will be given their Games-time roles next month, with specific training for the positions beginning in April.
Tokyo 2020 and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have insisted the Games will not be postponed or cancelled because of the virus, given the official title of COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The coronavirus has reportedly infected around 78,000 people worldwide, with 2,362 deaths caused.
While China has had the largest amount of cases with more than 76,000 reported, at least 100 have been detected in Japan.
John Coates, chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Tokyo 2020, claimed this week the organisation was “satisfied” the event will be safe to attend.
During a project review of Tokyo 2020 last week, Coates claimed the WHO had told the IOC there was no case for cancelling or postponing the Games.
Tokyo 2020 President Yoshirō Mori has also remained defiant and blasted what he claimed were “irresponsible” rumours surrounding whether the Games would take place as planned.
–insidethegames
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)
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
A former member of the FIFA Council, Mamoutou Toure, has been released from jail in Mali after almost two years in detention for alleged corruption, Malian media reports said on Wednesday.
Toure, president of the Malian Football Federation since 2019, was released after 622 days in prison on Tuesday.
He served on the FIFA Council, world football’s all-powerful decision-making body, for four years until last month when he lost his seat after failing to contest new elections.
The 67-year-old was arrested in August 2023 on allegations of embezzling $28 million of public funds but was granted a provisional release order by the Malian courts, reports said.
He was accused of misconduct during his time as the National Assembly’s financial and administrative director from 2013-2019.
Toure denied all charges and, during his time in jail, was last August re-elected as Malian Football Federation president for a second consecutive term, with his supporters claiming he was a victim of a conspiracy fuelled by detractors.
While in jail, he received a letter of support from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. However, as of last month, Toure is no longer a member of the FIFA Council or the Confederation of African Football’s executive committee.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Remo Stars are Nigeria’s 21st League Champions
AMAC Crowned Inaugural Champions of FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Councils Football Tournament
Ayanwale, Aiyelabegan set to defend titles at 2025 National Table Tennis Championships in Osun
- WOMEN'S FOOTBALL1 week ago
Naira rain falls on Nigeria’s Flamingos after a 4-0 defeat of Algeria
- Nigerian Football4 days ago
Financial rainfall awaits Nigeria’s Flamingos for every goal scored in Algeria
- OBITUARY6 days ago
NFF mourns the demise of former FIFA referee, Bosede Momoh
- U-17 AFCON1 week ago
Morocco crowned CAF U-17 AFCON champions after dramatic penalty shootout win over Mali
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Nigeria begin CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations title chase with Tunisian clash
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Remo Stars maintain ‘7Up’ lead over Rivers United
- Nigerian Football4 days ago
Former WAFU President, Ogufere mourns Christian Chukwu
- feature6 days ago
Ghana’s Cardinal, Appiah Turkson, listed as a possible Pope