Fund started to support Lomu kids
ALL BLACKS great Jonah Lomu was almost penniless when he died last month at the age of 40, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) said yesterday as it announced the launch of a fund to support his children.
New Zealand was plunged into a state of mourning when Lomu died suddenly from cardiac arrest on November 18 after two decades battling a debilitating kidney disease, leaving behind two sons under the age of six.
Despite being his sport’s first superstar and benefiting financially from the early years of professionalism in rugby, Lomu’s estate will leave insufficient funds to support his children, the NZRPA said.
“It appears that because of Jonah’s wellknown generosity, he had taken on obligations, financial and otherwise, to support others at the expense of himself, Nadene and the children,” NZRPA chief executive Rob Nichol said.
“It is also apparent that his 20-year illness and long dialysis sessions, multiple times a week affected him far more than people realised, including his ability to work and earn.”
The Jonah Lomu Legacy Trust will run its fundraising efforts through the website jonahlomulegacy.com. – Reuters FIFA presidency candidate and businessman Tokyo Sexwale said on BBC TV’s HARDtalk show that he wouldn’t turn his back on his Fifa friends and colleagues – but if they were doing nefarious things the law should take its course.
Speaking on the programme, Sexwale said: “I don’t run away from people I know. So I’m not just close to Mr Blatter and all of them like Mr Platini. These were friends, these are friends, however if any of them have been less than candid with the truth, the law will and must take its own course.”
On Fifa corruption investigations and his candidacy, and his close dealings with fallen president, Sepp Blatter, Sexwale hit back. “These are friends, I repeat, these are colleagues, we’ve been with them in World Cups and all sorts of places. However, if any of them while being friends were doing things... the law must take its own course,” he said.
Talking about sweeping clean Fifa with a new broom, Sexwale said he was prepared to be that broom.
“Yes, I’m prepared as leader of Fifa if I’m elected, to make sure that on the basis of international best practice, transparency, good democracy, openness, financial accountability those are the things that have caused – the lack of them – that have caused the problem right now, so we are prepared to clean up.”
When asked about his bid and whether he would base himself in Zurich permanently and move from South Africa lock, stock and barrel, Sexwale said one did not have to be at the headquarters of Fifa all the time.
“If you look at the reforms that have come, the president of Fifa, in charge of the council, must have a very strong administration in the form of a Secretary General/CEO that’s the person who runs things,” he said. “So, from time to time, you have to be there at the HQ to make sure things happen. But, however, if it means I should move, yes I will move.
“I have always stayed away from South Africa. I was in jail for 13 years. I lived in the Soviet Union, I’ve lived in Tanzania, Mozambique... so it is not rocket science for me, but I believe there’ll be a time when I spend quality time in Zurich and also be at home from time to time. But being in South Africa doesn’t mean you are not doing Fifa work.”
Sexwale believes that Fifa should be very transparent in disclosing their salaries. “It’s not just about disclosing my salary at Fifa; all salaries in Fifa must be disclosed. I’ve operated in companies, in banks, financial institutions listed on various stock exchanges, London, New York, Johannesburg, these things are just a matter of international best practice... not just my salary but the salary of everybody must be known,” he added. – ANA