Governing Bodies
Crossfire in Zambia as FIFA and Government go for showdown
Drama is expected to unfold in Lusaka Zambia this Saturday morning over two related but contrasting programmes.
While a court in Lusaka has ordered a halt of a scheduled Annual General Meeting, FIFA, according to a media release by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has threatened sanctions should the gathering fail to hold.
According to Sydney Mungala, the Communication Manager of FAZ, “FIFA has directed FAZ to go ahead with Saturday’s AGM in respect of its statutes with failure to do so attracting possible sanctions from Zurich.”
The AGM is scheduled for Government Complex on Saturday morning with councilors already in Lusaka for the highly anticipated meeting.
The press statement however indicated that FAZ officials will also make appearance at the court same day.
The statement reads:
“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to inform its membership and stakeholders that it has made an application in the High Court for the discharge of an injunction obtained by two non-members seeking to halt Saturday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
“FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga says Football House had not deviated from its long-held reputation of being law abiding by also respecting the laws of the land through following the due process.
“Following an application by our lawyers for the discharge of the exparte (one sided) injunction obtained by two non-members, our lawyers did apply for the discharge of the order and the hearing has been set for Saturday morning,” says Reuben Kamanga, FAZ General Secretary.
The statement continues: “We are a law-abiding organization and fully comply with football rules as prescribed by FIFA and the laws of the land. We will be at the High Court where the inter-parte hearing will be held as prescribed by the court.”
Kamanga adds: “We urge our members to remain calm amidst these turbulences preceding tomorrow’s (Saturday) AGM. We will keep our members informed at every stage.”
The unfolding drama was precipitated by the arrest of FAZ president, Andrew Kamanga on account of money laundering. Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission alleged that Kamanga obtained government funds under false pretences.
Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to the FAZ General Secretary by FIFA and signed by Kenny Jean-Marie, the Chief Member Associations Officer, the world football governing body remarked that it was studying with great concerns, the unfolding events in Zambia.
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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