Governing Bodies
Cheers from FIFA as Sanusi gets record-extending tenure
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
In a case that reflects the proverbial Oxford Reference idiom of “while two dogs are fighting for a bone, a third runs away with it”, Dr Mohammed Sanusi is the ultimate winner, getting another term in office as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Football Federation.
The position goes with the title ‘General Secretary’. There were speculations in the news space that he would not be reappointed and two staff member names were dropped as possible successors almost triggering a media battle.
But while that was on, Sanusi clinched the ‘bone’ and thus further extended his existing record of longest tenure in the 91-year history of the football association that is wrongfully believed to have been founded in 1945 instead of the 21 August 1933 actual foundation date.
As of Monday when Sanusi was reappointed, he has grossed 3542 days – nine years, eight months and nine days – in office.
That 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.
Sanusi now has at least another 1,095 days ahead to possibly bring his tenure to 4, 637 days – 12 years, eight months and nine days.
The record may be unassailable for many years to come. He has already drawn accolades from his corresponding office in FIFA.
According to a media release from the communication department of the NFF, FIFA on Monday formally congratulated Sanusi on his re-appointment as General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, for another term of three years.
The letter, signed by FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, read inter alia: “I am very pleased to extend my warmest congratulations on your recent appointment as General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation.
“This role is essential to the governance, daily operations, and long-term success of your association, and your expertise will be instrumental in advancing your federation’s goals in Nigeria and Africa.
“To this end, our Chief of Member Associations, Elkhan Mammadov, together with Gelson Fernandes and the entire FIFA team, are at your disposal to support you in this new role.
“Through our different programs, they are here to collaborate with you and your team on any inquiries related to the development of your member association and your interactions with FIFA.
“ I look forward to meeting you in person in the near future to discuss how we can work together to reinforce our shared mission and make football accessible and inspiring for all communities in Nigeria and around the world.”
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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