Governing Bodies
Sports Minister urges senators to replicate Sen. Dickson’s investment in sports development
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare Tuesday commended Sen. Seriake Dickson, the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State for his contribution, over the years, to the development of grassroot Sports in the country.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Competition as the Special Guest of Honour, Dare stated that the launch of the competition is a validation of Dickson’s interest, support and investment in Sports development, with Wrestling standing out very clear.
The Chief Host, Sen. Seriake Dickson earlier stated that apart from the launch of the Wrestling Competition, the Seriake Dickson Foundation is also rewarding Bayelsa indigenes who have done the State proud in Sports, prominent amongst them is Blessing Oborodudu, the first African woman to clinch a Silver medal in Wrestling at the Tokyo Olympics.
“The Future of Sports development is the classification of Sports as business and it has two legs, Government and the Private Sector. I thank you sincerely for the recognitions you have given today to medalists, both dead and alive, and I think we will also take a cue from here as the Federal Government to reach out to as many of our athletes, and not wait until they have gone to the great beyond before they are recognised and validated”, the Minister emphasised.
Dare also acknowledged the support of Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth and Sports Development, Sen. Obinna Ogba, lauding his collaboration with the Ministry, especially on efforts to revive and bring back the National Sports Commission (NSC). “We hope to jointly deliver a revitalised, restructured and refocused NSC before the end of the first quarter of 2022”, Dare asserted.
The Minister concluded by charging Blessing Oborodudu’s coach, Victor Kode to produce more medalists for the country ahead of the forth-coming Commonwealth games and Olympics, whilst urging Senators across the nation’s 109 Senatorial districts to take a cue from Sen. Seriake Dickson and adopt a Sports to develop, peculiar to their constituencies.
Asides the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, other dignitaries that graced the event include Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth and Sports Development, Sen. Obinna Ogba, first Military Governor of old Rivers State, HRH Alfred Diete-Spiff, Commissioner of Sports, Bayelsa State, representing Governor Duoye Diri, Daniel Ighali amongst others.
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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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
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