Olympics
Zambia’s women could be barred from football at Olympics
Zambia’s women could miss out on playing at this summer’s Olympics after FIFA threatened the country’s football association with suspension amid accusations of money-laundering offences against its president, Andrew Kamanga.
FIFA considers the action as “undue influence by third parties”.
Andrew Kamanga, the FAZ president since 2016, was last week charged by Zambia’s drug enforcement commission with obtaining government funds under false pretences and being part of a conspiracy to defraud.
It was alleged that he used the money to fund trips for two associates to the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year.
The general secretary, Reuben Kamanga, was also charged, along with Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame, who travelled to the tournament as part of Football Association of Zambia’s support staff. All have denied the charges.
Zambia’s women’s team qualified for the Olympics last month after beating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate.
They are still coached by Bruce Mwape, who is believed to remain under investigation by FIFA after allegations of misconduct before and during the Women’s World Cup last year that were first made in the UK newspaper, the Guardian. He has denied the claims.
Olympics
Olympic rings removed from Eiffel Tower
The Olympic rings installed on the Eiffel Tower since June to celebrate the upcoming Olympic Games were removed from the Parisian monument early on Friday morning, as confirmed by an AFP photographer. But the Paris City Hall intends to replace them with a more permanent structure until 2028.
The five-coloured rings, measuring 29 metres in length and 15 metres in height, were placed between the first and second levels of the iconic iron structure on 7 June.
According to Inside the Games publication, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo wants the Olympic symbol to continue decorating the monument until the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
But the descendants of the tower’s creator, Gustave Eiffel are opposing the move. They are insisting that the Olympic rings are aesthetically in conflict with the concept and design of the Tower.
The 30-tonne rings initially installed on the Eiffel Tower were also not designed to withstand winter weather conditions.
Olympics
Despite Egypt winning 3 medals at Paris Olympics, President Al-Sisi orders sports system overhaul
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered a comprehensive evaluation of sports federations that participatedat the Paris Olympic Games, following a mission report submitted by the country’s sports minister.
The mandate includes a thorough expenditure check and a performance review to better highlight areas of improvement and fund allocation in future Games.
Additionally, the president plans to take necessary measures against federations —such as limiting funds— that had negative results in the Paris Games.
Egypt’s participation in sports where it lacks a competitive advantage will also be limited, as the president aims to direct resources to promising athletes to ensure optimal results. The president also aims to reduce administrative and technical staff within Olympic delegations and task relevant ministries with preparing future Olympic athletes.
Al-Sisi’s Olympic overhaul is to be presented to the cabinet for approval and urged the government to prioritise amending the sports law for the House of Representatives for review.
Egypt took home a total of three medals in the Summer Games. Ahmed El-Gendy triumphed in modern pentathlon, Sara Samir claimed the silver in weightlifting, and 21-year-old fencer Mohamed El-Sayed earned the bronze.
-Insidethegames
Olympics
Paris 2024 Games break record ticket sales
Paris 2024 sold a record 12 million tickets for the Olympics and Paralympics, beating the Games record previously set by London 2012, organisers said on Sunday.
Some 9.5 million tickets were sold for the Olympics and 2.5 million for the Paralympics, which end on Sunday.
In 2012, London organisers set the record for the Paralympics with 2.7 million tickets sold but only 8.2 million were sold for the Olympics.
-Reuters
-
AFCON1 week ago
Nigeria confirms Eguavoen as Super Eagles head coach
-
International Football5 days ago
Why FIFA banned Samuel Eto’o
-
Governing Bodies1 week ago
CAF gives Yoruba and Arabic interpretations of ‘OLA’ the Super Cup 2024 Official Match Ball
-
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL1 week ago
Justin Madugu takes over from Waldrum as Super Falcons coach
-
CAF Super Cup1 week ago
Ahly and Zamalek set for epic CAF Super Cup showdown in Riyadh
-
Governing Bodies1 week ago
Zimbabwean set to become first African and woman president of IOC
-
CHAN1 week ago
CAF confirms Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania as CHAN 2024 Hosts
-
Nigerian Football6 days ago
Half-time reflection of Gusau’s tenure at Nigeria Football Federation