Governing Bodies
FIFA president, Confederations chieftains and FA top shots celebrate Amaju Pinnick at 52
The Diplomatic Club, Pearl, State of Qatar
At the sumptuous and waterfront The Diplomatic Club at the outskirt of Doha, biggest names in football administration gathered to celebrate former Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick as he clocked 52 on Thursday.
The informal occassion was graced by FIFA president, Gianni Infantino who came with his wife.
Also in attendance was the President of CONCAF, Victor Montegliani, whose North and Central American confederation will host the largest World Cup in history and the first to be co-hosted by three countries.
The General Secretary of FIFA, Fatma Samoura of Senegal as well as some other FIFA secretariat staff members were in attendance. They include the Deputy General Secretary,
FIFA General Secretary, Mathias Graftstrom as well as CAF Vice president, Souleman Waberi.
The other football chieftains include FIFA Council member, Hani Aborida and his wife as well as the presidents of Romania FA who is also a FIFA and UEFA council member Razvan Bearleneau.
Not left out was Carlos Cordera a former US Soccer Federation President and special adviser to the FIFA President.
At the simple but impressive event were the Germany football boss as well as the head of Chinese FA administration, Mr. Frank and Mrs Lekjaa, wife of Fouzi Lekjaa, President of Morrocco FA and FIFA council member.
Infantino praised the virtues of Pinnick, describing him as one of those who had unalloyed loyalty to him.
He presented him with a customized Qatar 2022 match ball on which there is the inscription: “Amaju Pinnick at 52”.
Also earlier, there was a birthday greeting letter personally signed by the FIFA boss.
It reads: “Congratulations for your 52nd birthday! May this special day bring you happiness, health and success, both personally and professionally.
In this FIFA World Cup year, I am most appreciative of your support and collaboration in making this tournament such a successful and unique event, carrying a message of hope, unity and solidarity.
I wish you a wonderful day with your loved ones, and I sincerely hope we will continue to work together for the development and growth of this beautiful game that unites us all.
Looking forward to seeing you very soon again to congratulate you in person.
Yours in football,
Gianni Infantino”
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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