AFN crisis deepens as Gusau’s faction suspends George, declares independence
‘Awka Congress remains illegal’
THE lingering crisis in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) was heightened yesterday in Awka, Anambra State, where the faction loyal to the embattled president of the federation, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau suspended the body’s vice president, Olamide George and his loyalists.
The George faction had on Tuesday in Abuja met and, among other things, suspended Gusau and elevated the vice president to acting president. They also set up a committee to investigate the several allegations against Gusau.
But in Awka yesterday, Gusau’s board cut short the euphoria that greeted the George elevation as its acting president, as it passed a vote of confidence on his leadership.
Apart from George, the AFN also suspended five others, including Brown Ebewele, Gabriel Okon, Ms. Rosa Colins, DIG Sani Mohammed (rtd.) and
Fidelis Gadzama from the activities of the Federation. Similarly, the board noted but rejected the resignation of its First Vice President, Solomon Ogba from the board. It urged Ogba “to continue contributing to the growth and development of athletics and indeed other sports in Nigeria.”
A communique issued after its extra-ordinary congress held at the Golden Tulip Hotel and Suite, Agulu Lake, Anambra State, and signed by Saidu Suleiman, Emmanuel Okonkwo and Shehu Adamu, Chairman, secretary and members, approved the appointment of Irikefe Ogbogbo, a lawyer, as the Federation’s legal Adviser and okayed the appointment of Siminialayi Young Pepple as its director-general. It also considered series of letters from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on the alleged removal of Sunday
Omotayo Adeleye as the elected Athletes’ Representative on the Board of AFN and Technical Director of the Federation and “rejected them in their entirety as they contravened the provisions of the constitution of the AFN, Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) and World Athletics.(wa).
In addition, it noted that the body known as Athletics Union of Nigeria is not recognized by the AFN, CAA and WA.
In conclusion, the Federation declared its autonomy and independence from the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development and fixed its next congress for December 20, 2020.
The congress was witnessed by Chief Executive Officer of CAA, Lamine Faty,
Ogba, who represented the President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Ahmed Gumel and some chairmen and secretaries-general of states’ associations.
But while the congress was going on in Awka, George, who was named acting president in the Abuja meeting on Tuesday, issued a statement dismissing the pawka congress as illegal. He said, “It has come to our notice that the suspended president of our federation, Shehu Ibrahim Gusau gathered some impostors in Awka in the name of a congress which is in clear violation of the federation’s constitution Article 6.1.4 which states unambiquosly thus: The convening to the congress shall be sent to each member association by the AFN Head Office at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of the congress.”
SEagles’ Former Striker, Odion Ighalo is the only Nigerian player in the latest CAF 10-man shortlist for the African Footballer of the Year Awards. This means that Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Lille’s Victor Osimhen are no more in the running for the prize.
Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala is among five players competing for the Women’s version of the award and she has to see off the challenge of Ajara Nchout (Cameroun & Valerenga), Gabrielle Onguene (Cameroun & CSKA Moscow), Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi & Jiangsu Suning) and Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa & Beijing Phoenix FC). Osimhen will take solace in the fact that he is still in contention for the Youth Player of the Year along with four other candidates namely Villarreal’s Samuel
BARCELONA prodigy, Ansu Fati has signed a new two-year contract with the club, which will keep him at the Camp Nou until at least the summer of 2022. The 17-year-old has exploded into Ernesto Valverde’s first-team plans this season, and Barcelona confirmed their latest star agreed new terms on Wednesday, via the club’s official website. A statement from Spanish champions read: “FC Barcelona and Ansu Fati have reached an agreement to improve the player’s contract through to 30 June 2022, extendable by two further seasons, and his buyout clause has been raised from 100 to 170 million euros.”
Chukwueze, Achraf Hakimi (Morocco & Borussia Dortmund), Krépin Diatta (Senegal & Club Brugge) and Moussa Djenepo (Mali & Southampton).
The updated Men’s Coach of the Year is without Super Eagles gaffer Gernot Rohr, while ex-super Falcons boss Thomas Dennerby will battle four other coaches for the Women’s Coach of the Year. The Super Eagles and Super Eagles remain in contention for the Men’s National Team of the Year and Women’s National Team of the Year respectively.
The nominees for the African Player of the Year are André Onana (Cameroon & Ajax), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco & Ajax) Ismail Bennacer (Algeria & AC Milan), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal & Napoli), Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool),.
The teenager’s buyout clause will rise further to €400 million ($443 million) if he signs a professional contract and becomes a permanent member of the first-team squad.
Fati offered his thoughts after committing his future to the club:
“For me, La Masia is the best school in the world. They helped me from the first day I arrived and I am extremely grateful to everyone who works there. They are all spectacular. From the first day I have learned things from everyone. And they have also been there to support me through difficult times.”
“Working every day with the best is a dream, and also a reward. From now onwards, what I have to do is keep working, even harder than ever, to keep getting chances and carryon on enjoying myself. The rest will come after.”