Governing Bodies
AMOS ADAMU’S PREDECESSOR IN FIFA, BHAMJEE IS DEAD
Ismail Bhamjee, who was succeeded by Nigeria’s Dr. Amos Adamu in the then FIFA Executive Committee in 2006, is dead. The man who was a founding Board member of the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC), former leader of the organisation reportedly died of Covid-19.
Bhamjee’s “impact will resonate to the sporting fraternity forever”, BNOC President Botsang Tshenyego said following his death at the age of 77.
The BNOC has led tributes to Bhamjee.
Calling Bhamjee “an important member of the BNOC family”, Tshenyego insisted that his “legacy will continue to live on and be cherished”.
Bhamjee helped establish the BNOC, which went on to receive International Olympic Committee recognition in 1980 – the same year Botswana debuted at the Games.
At the Moscow 1980 Olympics, Bhamjee was a referee for the football contest.
Initially BNOC secretary general, Bhamjee went on to be President from 1988 to 2000.
When Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa Zone VI was founded in 2000, Bhamjee initially served as secretary.
Bhamjee was also a leading figure in African football, going so far as to serve on the FIFA Executive Committee as a Confederation of African Football representative.
President of the Botswana Football Association from 1991 to 1995 and then 1997 to 2000, Bhamjee also led the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations for a period.
“It is with great sadness that we have learned from our honorary secretary general Ashford Mamelodi this morning of Ismail’s passing, after having spoken to him just 10 days ago,” said COSAFA secretary general Sue Destombes, who had worked with Bhamjee since the COSAFA Cup was inaugurated in 1997.
“Ismail has remained a loyal friend of COSAFA over the years.
“Our sincere condolences to Mrs Bhamjee and the family.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also wrote to the Botswana Football Association to express “deepest sympathy” following Bhamjee’s passing.
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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