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Barcelona star, Lionel Messi and his father Jorge Horacio have denied accusations of tax evasion for more than three years between 2006 and 2009 in the region of €4m.

Messi and his father are under the investigation of Spanish tax authorities for allegedly avoiding payment of charges due from sales of the Argentina captain’s image rights by operating through companies based outside the country.

Prosecutor Raquel Amado signed a complaint and filed it with the courthouse in the Gava district of Barcelona on Wednesday.

But denying the charges, Messi wrote: on his official Facebook account: “We have learned through the media about the claim filed by the Spanish tax authorities. 
“We are surprised about this news, because we have not committed any infringement. We have always fulfilled all of our tax obligations, following the advice of our tax consultants, who will take care of clarifying this situation.”

If convicted, the superstar faces as much as six years in prison.

African champions Nigeria snatched a winner nine minutes from time through Ahmed Musa to beat Kenya 1-0 away and boost their World Cup qualifying chances in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Musa's goal gave the Super Eagles a two-point lead at the top of Group F as closest rivals Malawi were earlier held to a goalless draw by Namibia at home in Blantyre.

Nigeria, who are heading to the Confederations Cup in Brazil later this month, moved on to eight points with two games to play as Malawi failed to keep pace.

Nigeria visit Namibia next Wednesday while Malawi host Kenya at the same time in another crucial round of matches with only the group winners progressing to the third qualifying round.

It was Nigeria's first win since they unexpectedly triumphed at the African Nations Cup in South Africa in February.

They needed an equaliser in added time at home to Kenya in March to avoid a major setback on the road to Brazil and drew 2-2 with Mexico in a friendly last week before travelling from Houston, Texas to Nairobi for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.

Both the club and the Brazilian forward himself have confirmed he will formally put pen to paper on Monday and join the Camp Nou giants this summer

Barcelona has officially confirmed it has reached a deal with Santos to sign Brazilian star Neymar, who will sign a five-year contract with the club on Monday.

The forward himself also broke the news through his Instagram and Facebook accounts and revealed his appearance against Flamengo on Sunday would be his last for his boyhood club.

Germany's capital will play host to the competition's showpiece for the first time in its history, with the Europa League set to be contested in Warsaw.

UEFA has announced that the 2015 Champions League final will be held in Berlin's Olympiastadion.

The stadium was built when the German capital hosted the 1936 Olympic Games but has never staged the final of Europe's top competition.

However, the continent's governing body has confirmed that the showpiece will return to Germany just three years after Chelsea claimed the title at Munich's Allianz Arena.

"I already told Michel Platini at the 2012 final in Munich that we wish to host this worldwide event again soon," German Football Federation president Wolfgang Niersbach said.

"The fact that it happened so quickly is credit to our ability to organize things and be a good host. I am looking forward to a big football party in Berlin."

Meanwhile, the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland will host the 2015 Europa League final.

The arena was built for last summer's European Championship and hosted five matches, including the opening fixture of the tournament, one quarterfinal and one semifinal.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed the  Jose Maurinho is set to end his three-year spell in La Liga following a trophy-less season in the Spanish capital.

Jose Mourinho will leave his role as coach of Real Madrid at the end of the current season, the club confirmed Monday.

President Florentino Perez revealed at a press conference that Mourinho's time in charge at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu is coming to an end by mutual agreement once the 2012-13 season has reached a conclusion.

The announcement comes after a disappointing spell saw Madrid knocked out of the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund in the semifinals and defeated by rival Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, while Barcelona celebrated La Liga glory.

“The club and manager believe the time is right to bring our relationship to an end,” Perez said. “I would like to thank Jose Mourinho for all his hard work over the last three years. The team has improved over his time here and I would like to wish him all the best.

"The achievements of this season have not been sufficient for the demands of a club such as Real Madrid, or a coach like Mourinho."

Perez admitted the subject of Mourinho's future has been on the club's agenda for some time, but insisted a final decision has only been reached now and there is no agreement in place for his replacement despite suggestions Carlo Ancelotti has already agreed on a deal.

"We have come to this decision just now, although it's something that has been at the back of our mind for some time," Perez said. "We have no pre-contract signed with any manager. This is something we have to look at over the coming days."

Mourinho, meanwhile, has been heavily speculated to return to Chelsea, which is looking for a permanent replacement to interim boss Rafa Benitez.

In a Madrid derby that went into extra time, Atletico Madrid found the back of the net twice to emerge winner of the 2012 -13 Copa Del Rey.Thus ending  fourteen years of hurt. Atletico last beat Madrid in 1999.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who was sent off via a red card, gave Real Madrid an early lead. But goals from Diego Costa and Miranda ensured that ATLETICO MADRID secured their tenth Copa del Rey title. Final scores ATM 2: RMD 1.

Sports is one sector where everyone can claim to be a stakeholder.  That’s because the passion we all have for the game. But even that does not give us the liberty to disrespect, ridicule and insult those who have responsibility to administer sports. While criticism if constructive and good intentioned can help sports and make administrators more productive, the bad-mouthing which is the usual fare in the sector is destructive and does no good except to pull down the administrators.

 

 This brings me to one Rashid Balogun.  I first came across his writing about a year ago.  It was a diatribe against someone I cannot recall. But the piece was so badly written; the language poor, filled with spelling and grammar errors that I thought no one would take him serious.  But the man seems unrelenting, posting one article after another and surprisingly some naïve people in the sports sector now reference him! This probably has boosted the man’s ego and feeling like the expert he is not, continued to feed us with his barely readable nonsense.

 

I believe it is time someone told him the truth. Mr. Balogun, you are a very poor writer and your arguments do not make sense, lacking logic and merit. You are like the family member who has a bad case of mouth odour and who no one has told the truth in order not to offend his sensibilities. But anyone who actually did would be doing a huge favour to Mr. Mouth Odour.  So here it is: Mr. Balogun, your articles stink to hell and do not make any sense.

 

 

But don’t take my word for it.  You can read Mr. Balogun’s nonsense in any of the online media that have mushroomed in the country.  He is so prolific at dishing it out that it is obvious that he does not have a day job. It is impossible for a person who is productively engaged to have the luxury of time to post the nonsense Mr. Balogun dishes out nearly every week.

 

 But if those articles make sense and somehow contribute to the development of sports, one can excuse the bad grammar and obvious lack of talents for writing. But they do not. Take the article he wrote sometime in April about “Dictator Ojo Oba takes over NSC (in palace coup).” Typical Balogun, the goal of that piece appears to be to set the Minister of Sports against Dr. Bolaji Ojo Oba, a Director in the Ministry. After several exhaustive readings, what I could glean from it is that Balogun picked issues with Dr Ojo Oba’s comment that secretaries of federations should prepare their handover notes ahead of their redeployment to the Ministry. According to him, this was in defiance of the minister’s directive that the secretaries are to be withdrawn! And so Ojo Oba was a ‘Dictator’ bent on taking over the Ministry from the Minister. What logic!

 

 

The simple truth is that both men were saying the same thing! What I gathered from my investigations was the minister thought it was essential to grant the Federations more autonomy, in which case they, and not the National Sports Commission, NSC, would be responsible for their secretariat. His argument was that the NSC couldn’t blame the Federations for poor performance if it is responsible for their administrative component, which is the job of the Secretaries. And this is a common argument amongst some stakeholders, how the Federations are not autonomous and are tied to the apron string of the NSC.  The minister thus felt it was necessary in line with best practices to free the NSC of this role and make the body play its natural function of making policies, supervising them and ensuring compliance. And the first step towards this was to recall the secretaries who are staff of the NSC. But before their eventual and inevitable recall, they were asked to prepare their handover notes. That was the case Ojo-Oba was making when he said the Secretaries had been told to prepare their handover notes. But Balogun turned this up side down and interpreted it to mean direct defiance of the minister.

 

 Well I am really not surprised, as the man seems incapable of understanding simple procedures. If he does, he would make sense in his writing and not write gibberish such as this:  “An attempt to bite the’ dust’ would not reflect a society norm but will certainly face the wrath of such normalcy. To be an athlete is not a norm but rather a symbol of eccentrics. Let me explain, less than 10% of our society considers themselves as athletes in their lifetime for whatever reason and majority of the population will ask for what purpose would a sprinter be running or who is pursuing him/her or why an individual is chasing after football.”

 

That is the introduction of a piece written by the semi illiterate Balogun who claims to be a Phd holder. Even though I read it 10 times, I could not understand the point he was trying to make. Reason why it grates me each time I read anything carrying his byline. The latest being on the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi. I am sure the minister is capable of defending himself or has hired hands that can, but I think it necessary to expose Balogun for the fraud and charlatan that he is. In his latest piece, he attacked Abdullahi and Solomon Ogba, the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, for using drug tainted American Ellenwood Garfield as coach. This is a blatant lie, which an ordinary Google check could have exposed.

 

Then Balogun seems to be obsessed with vacant position of Director General in the Commission, having sleepless nights over beer parlour rumour over whose names were submitted to fill the vacancy. Ogba is the second rumoured candidate he is attacking. I think he should wait for the Minister to officially declare the position vacant and submit prospective nominees to the President. As it is Balogun is doing a very bad job of being a paid pen.

 

 

By Tunde Akinlabi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nigerian Mitchell Obi has been elected President of the AIPS Africa at the elections held in Sochi, Russia.

With the involvement of 24 countries the assembly backed proposals for a consensus to pick the 13 members for the AIPS Africa Executive Committee following the withdrawal of three candidates Kabulo Muana Kabulo(DR Congo), Mamadou Koume(Seneh) and Morad Moutaouakkil (MOR) in favour of Mitchell Obi(Nigeria).

After reports of AIPS Africa meetings in Innsbruck 2012, and Dakar, coordinated by AIPS Treasurer Jorge Ribeiro the assembly-endorsed members proposed by Mitchell Obi and also co-opted others who had been nominated for various posts.

The newly elected AIPS Africa President who will also sit on the AIPS Executive Board as one of the Vice President said that he is committed to work closely with the present members and get more countries to join AIPS.

"Together we can bring back a voice of AIPS Africa that stands for the future of Sports. Together we can build a treasure that can take care, sincerely the growing needs of a blossoming field of sports journalists in the continent. Here the women journalists are close to my heart and they will provide the reassuring pillar," said Obi who has served on the AIPS board as member since 2005 when outgoing President Moroccan Boumid Belaid took the helm of the continental body.

AIPS Africa Executive Committee

President: Mitchell Obi (Nigeria)

First vice president:  Mourad Moutaouakil (Morocco)

Vice Presidents: Kabulo Kabulo Muana (DRC), Amadou Diouldé Diallo (Guinea

General Secretary: Emmanuel Gustave Samnick (Cameroon)

Deputy Secretary-General: António Gonçalves Ferreira(Angola)

General Treasurer: Felix Sohounde Peperipé (Benin)

Executive Committee Members: Ibrahim Abdallah Mustafa Hema (Libya), Ntoto Lacombe (Congo), Yonas Yeshome (Ethiopia), Mufti Mohamed (Sudan), Mohamed Slimane (Niger), Rougui Alassane Niane (Senegal).

 

Erstwhile Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Shuaibu Amodu has been appointed Technical Director of the country’s football team.

Also, James Peters was appointed National Technical Director for Youth and Women Development while Kashimawo Laloko was appointed National Technical Director for Youth Development. All three coaches have been handed their letters of appointment.

Former Ethiopia Coach, Tom Saintfiet was initially appointed technical Director last year but never assumed office following opposition from a section of the country’s footballing community, leading to a revocation of his contract.

 Amodu, meanwhile, twice qualified Nigeria for the World Cup (in 2002 and in 2010) but he was sacked on both occasions before the beginning of the mundial.

The chances of another El=Classico pitting Spanish giants, Real Madrid against their arch rivals Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley remained alive when the Spanish giants were kept apart in the draw for the quarterfinals.

Barcelona will face David Beckham’s side Paris St Germain - he is the only English player left in the competition - while Real Madrid will take on Turkish giants, Galatasaray. In the other two quarterfinals, Bayern Munich’s reward for seeing off Arsenal is a meeting with the Italian “Old Lady” Juventus, while the other German quarter-finalist, Borussia Dortmund will play Spanish side Malaga. Unlike in previous seasons, UEFA did not also make the draw for the semi-final pairings at the same time - that will now take place next month.

Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho is aiming to become the first manager to win the Champions League with three different clubs, having achieved it previously with Porto and Inter Milan. Real Madrid eliminated Manchester United after very questionable refereeing in the first knockout round and also qualified from a tough group comprising the domestic league champions of Spain, Germany, England and Holland. Galatasaray’s squad includes two former Mourinho favorites - ex-Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and former Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

Barcelona, who came from 2-0 down in the first leg of the last round to beat AC Milan 4-2 on aggregate, will come up against their former striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who now plays for big-spending French clubside, Paris St. Germain.

Fans around the world hope the matches among the last eight will be just as intriguing. Of all the clubs left standing after group play and the first knockout stage, Turkish side Galatasaray and Spanish side Malaga, who often get overshadowed by La Liga counterparts, are the most surprising.

Among the top contenders are Bayern Munich, which reached the final last season before upstart Chelsea claimed the trophy, fellow German club Borussia Dortmund and the two Spanish giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid. The first legs will be played on either April 2 or 3 and will be followed by the second legs the next week, on either April 9 or 10.

Meanwhile, the three English teams remaining in the Europa League were kept apart in the quarter-final draw. Tottenham appeared to be handed the easiest draw after being paired with Swiss side Basle, while Newcastle will play Benfica from Portugal and Turkish side Fenerbahce will face Lazio of Italy.

Rubin Kazan will be tough opponents for Rafa Benitez’s Chelsea team. The Russian side has already knocked out two Spanish teams - holders Atletico Madrid in the round of 32 and Levante, winning 2-0 after extra time. Rubin Kazan were unbeaten in a tough group that include Inter Milan, and are particularly strong defensively, having conceded only three goals in 10 European matches.

Spurs’ opponents Basle scraped into the quarter-finals after Russian side Zenit St Petersburg missed a late penalty against the 10-Swiss side.

With no car, no official accommodation and four months of salary arrears, relations between Keshi and the NFF had degenerated to the point that Keshi had contemplated quitting on the eve of the nations cup tournament.

But for the personal intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan who read the riot act to the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Stephen Keshi’ would have made good his resignation as coach of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles. Keshi rescinded his decision to resign as Super Eagles coach barely 24 hours after tendering his resignation letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Upon learning of the unsavory development which dampened the national mood of triumph and celebration after winning the African Cup of Nations, President Jonathan is said to have called the Sports Minister who officially headed the delegation to South Africa and instructed him to do everything within his power to get Keshi to reconsider his decision and save the country from what was turning out to be a major embarrassment. Jonathan, sources told Huhuonline.com even spoke to Keshi on the phone and pleaded with him to change his mind.

After hours of frantic negotiations which dragged on into Tuesday morning, and with all outstanding issues resolved by the minister who doubles as the chairman of the National Sports Commission, Keshi agreed to stay. He was part of the Eagles’ delegation that arrived Abuja to a tumultuous welcome on Tuesday and was present at the official reception hosted by Jonathan at State House.

Keshi admitted on arrival in Abuja that it took the intervention of the Sports Minister to rescind his decision to quit the Eagles job. The coach said he decided to call it quits because of the way he has continuously been treated by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the technical committee.

Huhuonline.com learnt from a source close to the former national team skipper that Keshi was working under conditions unbefitting of the coach of the Nigerian national team. The source explained that the NFF has treated Keshi without even a modicum of respect; hanging the prospect of hiring an expatriate coach over Keshi’s head like a sword of Damocles and acting as if they were doing Keshi a favor by giving him the job of coach of the national team.

The source told Huhuonline.com that in a malign display of sheer provocation, a member of the technical committee told Keshi his face that the NFF would appoint a foreign technical director and make him the overall boss of all Nigerian coaches, adding: “If you listened carefully, you will recall Keshi always talking about African countries’ penchant of employing carpenters and farmers as coaches because of the color of their skin. This explains why Keshi dedicated the victory of the Super Eagles to all indigenous African coaches,” the source explained.

The rift between Keshi and the NFF, the source explained, had degenerated to the point that Keshi had contemplated quitting the job on the eve of the African Nations Cup, but decided to use his position to prove that indigenous coaches could do better than the foreigners the NFF was thinking of hiring.

Huhuonline.com learnt from NFF sources that several months after he took over the job as coach of the national team, Keshi is yet to get an official car and accommodation. As if that was not enough, the Federation has not paid Keshi his salary for the last four months. Rather, NFF officials have taken turns to interfere with his job; questioning not only his selection of players but also his tactics; something Keshi with over 35 years of big football time experience considers unacceptable.

To add insult to injury, NFF officials reportedly booked their tickets back to Nigeria a day before the Nigeria-Cote d’Ivoire quarterfinal match because they believed the Eagles will be eliminated and even when the Eagles produced a heroic performance and eliminated the Elephants, the officials attributed it to mere luck. “Keshi pondered on his resignation before the final and I was not surprised that he tendered the letter after the game,” the source said.

“I don’t think the NFF has treated Keshi well; even when it was obvious that the coach was on the verge of leading the team to a great feat, he did not get the support of his employers. After the final match on Sunday, some NFF officials visited Keshi in his room in a hypocritical display of solidarity, but the coach walked them out of the room because they never believed in him. Normally, Keshi was expected to join the celebration in the hotel court, but he decided to stay alone in his room because he felt the people that employed him did not believe in him.”

The source revealed that before accepting to change his mind, the Sports Minister promised Keshi would be given a free hand to do his job, while all the money owed him would be settled immediately. He also promised a good accommodation in Abuja, and other appurtenances of his office.

The Nigerian government has already started making good the promises as Keshi received N10 million yesterday at State House during the official reception offered the Eagles by President Jonathan. In addition, he was conferred with the nation’s fourth ranking national honor – Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

 

QPR striker Loic Remy has been arrested on suspicion of rape according to The Metropolitan Police and the France international along with two other men is currently in custody in West London.

The 26-year-old forward is alleged to have raped a 34-year-old woman in west London on May 6.

A 23-year-old man and 22-year-old man were also arrested in connection with the incident at an address in Fulham on Wednesday morning.

The woman said she was raped by three men.

“If ain’t broke don’t fix it” by Bert Lance (1977) (23rd Director of the US Office of Management and Budget). I begin this article with such quote to direct the Presidency attention to the happenings in sports industry after disgraceful London Olympics outing. It is the President of Nigeria that acknowledged systemic failure in the sports industry and by His Excellency order, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) was required to restructure the entire industry since August 2012. Unfortunately, the restructure His Excellency dreamed of is not restructure at all but destruction through recycling of same individuals that brought shame to the country at the London Olympics.

Your Excellency, you directed that Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi supply you with among other things plans and ideas to move sports forward. In that regard, Mr. Abdullahi announced he hired MacKenzie group contrary to the provisions of Procurement Act of 2007 to aid in his approach but when questioned further the Minister said that American group merely setup the ill-conceived party for those that destroyed sports in Nigeria, tagged Presidential Sports Retreat. Monies were wasted that could provide a full year meal for over one hundred hungry athletes in Nigeria. This is not exaggeration.

Your Excellency, the Minister followed up such retreat agenda to confront Chief Executive Governor of Lagos State on stage at the opening ceremony of the National Sports Festival aimed originally for youth as repeated by the Governor while on the podium the Minister said the festival should be open to the same athletes that brought shame to the country in London. On the face of it, there is problem with the Minister agenda but in substance this view was not well thought-out for a Minister Calibre individual in charge of multi-Billion Naira budget. Specifically, the Minister failed to consider that he has annual budget of N500Billion for developing local athletes at grass root level but failed to account for such spending that it has become critical to contradict an Executive Governor that Nigeria cannot develop at grass root in Nigeria rather would rely on children of Nigerians born abroad. A novice might ask, what happened to about N2Billion received in the past four years when Nigeria does not or cannot boast of any athlete in development? Should the country continue to throw away money without any public accountability? There is in fact an individual in charge of the so-called grass root sports development and this writer would like to ask, Your Excellency, is it not your concern that N2Billion was controlled by an individual under direction of the Minister and not one single athlete was developed?

Your Excellency, with due respect again, I ask for what purpose is to restructure an industry full of novices and return such novices to continue? This is based on the rules (not law) to create sports’ federations which by international obligations were outside the mandate of NSC. Those federations were agents of international sports federations including football and for that reason must abide by those foreign rules, the key of which, is the independence of those federations from national government or control or interference. Unfortunately, NSC remained non-compliant and such violations are real time costs and disagreement that is destroying football and athletics. Those two sports received more monies from NSC than all sports combined but yet Boxing is the most productive in terms of investment for the country. Continuation to fund these federations can be seen as wasteful spending and aiding corruption because those entities at no time ever accounted for money received from NSC (I use that term to include verification of spending and paper trail) and in most cases these spending were duplication of grants received from those international sports federations in excess of N500Million (that’s the essence of removing interference of national government). The Minister new this is going on.

Your Excellency, India was recently banned from participating in Olympics in the future because the individual alleged to defraud India people during Commonwealth Games in Delhi was been returned as Chairman due to modifying rules that makes only him qualifies for the position. This is a concern for Nigeria to rethink the way sports are governed. Should the federal government prefer to maintain the current useless structure then, what the Minister did in the so-called federation election that returns the same individuals that were in London must be reversed because most of these individuals lacked skills to lead any sport in Nigeria and some them were thugs to begin with.

Your Excellency, it was further alleged that the Minister setup National Sports Council meeting on the eve of such federations elections in aid to pacify those attending with gifts so as to dance to his wishes and in the end those that agreed with him were part of those that become federation Boards members.

Your Excellency, it is further necessary to review spending activities of NSC because the Minister simply lacks accounting skill to know that his Ministry spent N4Million on Borehole and N400Million on soft drinks machine.

Your Excellency, over 600 athletes attended Benin athletics competition during the past weekend and before such held a meeting to determine their future and before reaching consensus the athletics federations banned every one of them including three banned for three years. This action was by the same federation leader, Solomon Ogba, that brought a former US drug offender Garfiled Ellenwood to be a Coach of Nigeria’s team in London until protest and just in the past weekend the same outgoing Solomon Ogba hired that individual again. Mr. Ogba has being acting without impunity and as mentioned by many athletes who are constantly in touch with this writer that he acts that way because of his political affiliation. This writer believes that other than the Minister, all in NSC staff must be hired based on merit and should NSC continue federations department, those staff must be hired on merit.

Your Excellency, is it possible to say that the Minister plan is a ‘restructure’? I think not, what the country is witnessing is act of destruction as there are litany of perennial problems including impecuniosity of NSC, Football and many federations. Is there any hope of revival? Yes and it begins with removal of the Minister because he simply endorsed all actions that resulted in embarrassment and disgrace of the country.

I rest

Dr. Rashid A. Balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.), LLM(London)

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

Last season’s finalists, Bayern Munich FC of Germany have been drawn against perennial favourites, Barcelona FC of Spain in the semi final of the UEFA Champions League while Barca’s home rivals, Real Madrid FC will play familiar foes Borussia Dortmund in the other fixture.

Munich will host the Blaugrana in the first leg in their attempt to atone for last season’s loss against Chelsea in the final as well as claim the continent’s top prize for the sixth occasion.

However, Barcelona, playing in its sixth consecutive semifinal is seeking only its third Champions League triumph in five seasons. Pep Guardiola, set to end his coaching break at the end of this season, will be a centre point of the fixture, as the teams represent his old team and his new team, which he will begin handling when current manager Jupp Heynckes steps aside at the end of the current season.

In the second semifinal, Jurgen Klopp's men will play Los Blancos in a repeat of the group stage matches, Dortmund winning the first leg in Germany 2-1 and drawing the second leg 2-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid, campaigning for its 10th European Cup title, will also be looking to enthrone its coach, Jose Mourinho as the first manager to win the UEFA Champions League with three separate clubs, having previously triumphed with Porto and Inter.

Dortmund has only appeared in the final once, in 1997 when it upset Juventus in Munich.

The first legs will be played on April 23 and 24 and the return legs a week later on April 30 and May 1. The most fascinating feature about the final, which holds on May 25 at the Wembley Stadium in London, is the possibility of an all-Spanish or an all-German final.

 

An attempt to bite the’ dust’ would not reflect a society norm but will certainly face the wrath of such normalcy. To be an athlete is not a norm but rather a symbol of eccentrics. Let me explain, less than 10% of our society considers themselves as athletes in their lifetime for whatever reason and majority of the population will ask for what purpose would a sprinter be running or who is pursuing him /her or why an individual is chasing after football. Gratuity / rewards showered on the individual or acceptance that the person partakes in in this endeavor is not the issue rather why less than 10% consider sports good hobby for them.

Who Controls National Sports Commission (NSC)

Few days ago this writer penned a report on observation about the consensus view that the Sports Minister Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi had been reduced below a toothless barking dog by his staffs. Strange enough every single day those staffs had been coming out to reverse his directives. Below is excerpt of one of the directive and latest verbatorial by one of his staff Dictator Ojo-Oba:

·On January 7, 2013(Guardian)

The Honorable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has directed Secretaries of the Sporting Federations to prepare their handover notes ahead of their redeployment to the Commission.

·On January 9, 2013 (Punch)

The NSC on Monday announced that the secretaries of the federations/associations are to be withdrawn and redeployed to the Commission to pave the way for the employment of new secretaries from outside the government setting by the federation in what is explained as a bid to give them greater autonomy.

The minister, who was on his way to Portugal to visit the Super Eagles in camp preparatory to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup, said that there were other fresh ideas being injected to make the federations more professionally run.

·On January 22, 2013

Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi has debunked the claims that the Commission is planning to retrench all sports federation secretaries who have been redeployed to the NSC Headquarters in Abuja.

Trustsports gathered that the redeployment of the secretaries is part of the reform of the sports federations, where the federations will be empowered to appoint their own secretaries, thereby granting them greater autonomy.

Speaking at an interactive session with members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Lagos chapter at the weekend, Abdullahi made it clear that the reform is meant to make the federations function better, just as he said redeployed the secretaries would be posted to all the geo political zones of the country to administer the grassroots programme of the commission.

·On April 8, 2013 (Guradian)

Dictator Bolaji Ojo-Oba said: “So the secretaries are still in place and functional; what we have advised them is that they (sic) should prepare their handing over notes, because they will not remain in office after the new boards have been inaugurated,”

I ask, can anyone believe any new directive by the Sports Minister. I think not. Is Ojo-Oba telling Nigerians that it takes 4 months to prepare hand-over notes?  Talk about incompetency and foolishness on how Nigerians will perceive Ojo-Oba statements. Did the Minister say that those illegal secretaries should remain in office until new Boards?  I don’t think so. Is this not National Sports Confusion I wrote about last year? Is this not a palace coup? Do Nigerians care? I think they should because salaries been paid Ojo-Oba should have been directed towards athletes not him. And I ask who the hell is Ojo-Oba?

Federations’ Election is Scam, Sham and must be slammed!

Ojo-Oba who believes he is the Chairman of NSC when he announced further that the recalled NSC staffs who illegally occupied the federations’ secretariat will conduct those federations’ elections. This usurper may think he has spoken well but I hate to tell him that his pink slip at NSC is been prepared and he has just ‘gassed’-out.

Unsuspecting Nigerians would likely want to know why these Ojo-Oba statements are mere rubbish and ought to be disregarded along with its messenger, to that, I will identify few key areas where even a primary school drop-out will understand.

Firstly, any credible election demands Independent umpire and that is key requirement in conducting any election even for class prefect in schools as well as in Universities that I think Ojo-Oba holds some sport degrees. Now, why would an illegal occupier of the secretariat who also is a potential candidate is mandated to conduct an election where his / her fellow Board members are contesting? Anyone that fails to see a problem in this scenario ought to be severely ‘flogged’. If I have my way Ojo-Oba will be sent to school to learn Basic Ethics in administration.

Secondly, skills required to conduct an election must be learned and I fail to hear or see any federation secretary trained in electoral processes. I should ask, if Ojo-Oba does not know that independence is key in conducting an election then how can he comprehend that special skills are necessary? Either way it’s clear, idiocy is the only requirement because athletes are considered dumb by NSC and they failed to challenge NSC in anything, so far. I personally don’t consider any athlete dumb but I don’t understand why federations’ boards’ leadership run is not part and parcel in athletes’ quest for glory.

Thirdly, infrastructure to conduct an election (credible or not) simply does not exist although no one believes that NSC will spend less than N100 Million in salaries for its so-called illegal secretaries and many ghost workers including cats, dogs, eagles and other animals with dead men (women) names.

Fourthly, the timing is not convenient considering pending NSC Act, training for those illegal secretaries, Dictator Ojo-Oba, Sports Minister, etc. These people are never trained in conducting an election but yet an election is to take place in less than 2 weeks.

Fifthly, NSC or shall I say Ojo-Oba fails to inform Nigerians who is eligible to vote in such election, are we not to guess that only those illegal secretaries, Ojo-Oba, Sports Minister, current federations’ board members are the only ones allowed to vote. To this end I say the estimated N100Millions for this so-called election is nothing other than redistribution of the country taxpayers’ funds to the pockets of those illegal secretaries, Ojo-Oba, etc. essentially money grabs.

Moving Forward

1.Ojo-Oba must be called to order or dismissed by the Sports Minister immediately.

 2.So-called Federations’ elections must be postponed because those illegal federations’ secretaries lacked the skills to conduct any election and are not independent of those sports federations and I might add any conduct of national election will likely falls within INEC jurisdiction because it has broad powers not just derived from Nigeria constitution (on elective offices) but by any law or decree.  It is my position that independence and skills must not be toyed with, therefore, Sports Minister simply has to invite INEC to assist based on his Ministerial authority (the question is he a Minister with power).

Excerpt of INEC Act

Independent National Electoral Commission Decree (Decree No 17 of 1998)

 4. (1) The functions of the Commission shall be to-

(a) organise, conduct and supervise all the elections and matters pertaining to elections into, all the elective offices provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979, as amended or any other enactment or law;

Electoral Act of 2006 (Update)

Section 2. (1) In addition to the functions conferred on it by the 1999 Constitution, the Commission shall

have power to: (a) conduct voter and civic education.

(b) promote knowledge of sound democratic election processes.

3.The Sports Minister must seek INEC help to determine who is eligible to vote as well, failure of which, the result of such election will be scam, sham and slammed by even ghost workers.

Again, Ojo-Oba you need a serious lesson in administrative ethics, corruption, electoral processes, laws of Nigeria and many other things. I aint mad at you but I royally disagree with you.

I rest.

Dr. Rashid A. balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.),

Our governments have spent billions of naira over time to promote a positive image for Nigerians everywhere.  Regrettably, the popular perception of the Nigerian character remains that of greed, self-interest and other such antisocial escapades.  The promoted brand of "Good People, Great Nation" never really took off, and it has become clear that neither catchy slogans nor sexy packaging can change public perception of what is intrinsically a bad product!  Ultimately, our football team's derisive nickname of 'Super Chickens' became a neater fit of our national image than our own self-invention of 'Giant of Africa'; consequently, most foreigners believed that nothing good could come out of this supposedly 'cursed' land!

The question then is, how did the Super Eagles against all odds win the coveted elusive ‘Africa Nation's Cup’, with qualities and focus supposedly alien to the Nigerian character?  With our tradition of tardy preparations, inadequate funding and poor team selection, how did the shrubs we sowed transform into sweet-smelling roses?

As we celebrate the unexpected exploits of the Super Eagles, we may also draw lessons from the performances of the following three members of the team; Stephen Keshi’s exemplary leadership, the indomitable spirit of home grown Sunday Mba and also, the dynamite and humble enigma called Victor Moses!

Undoubtedly, unity, cohesive teamwork, strong determination to succeed, utmost self-belief, and a driving hunger for personal glory and honour to the fatherland produced the Eagles’ unexpected success! 

Keshi's courageous leadership was certainly a major factor in the AFCON victory; his team list was based on the perceived fighting and winning mentality of each player and the readiness of his selection to play according to instructions.  Indeed, Keshi, himself maintained that individual skills alone do not win such tournaments, and in spite of intense pressure, he remained undaunted and unapologetic for leaving out some star players; for Keshi, merit without consideration of ethnic affiliations or federal character was the benchmark for team selection!

The Coach consistently took full responsibility for his team's shortcomings, without overtly apportioning blame to anyone!  Consequently, he earned his players’ respect and their resolve to give 101 per cent in every match.  Keshi, in return, showed genuine fatherly concern and motivated his players.

Meanwhile, unknown to Nigerians, Keshi was silently hurting; but despite unpaid salary arrears and other official deprivations, he refused to moan but instead encouraged Nigerians to have faith in the team’s ability, and confidently remained upbeat about fulfilling his contract terms to take the Super Eagles to the semi-finals of AFCON 2013,!

Curiously, also, unknown to most Nigerians, midway through the tournament, the Football Federation had allegedly threatened to summarily sack Stephen Keshi if he refused to accept a foreign technical adviser as his boss; in response, Keshi offered to voluntarily resign as Coach immediately after the Super Eagles unexpectedly beat the star-studded tournament favourites, Ivory Coast!  Consequently, Keshi’s dedication of the victory to all African Coaches and the subsequent aborted resignation were clear statements of protest! 

Fortunately, the Eagles camp remained unusually convivial and harmonious despite the distractions!  The excellent team spirit was no doubt a testimony of  resilience and the matured leadership skills of Coach Keshi; an attribute that has unfortunately been absent in the affairs of our nation for too long!

Keshi's effortless response to questions in both English and French must have endeared him not only to French speaking Africans, but also to those Nigerians, who cringe at the poor performance of our national leaders in front of international media. 

In similar vein, Nigerians witnessed the amazing exploits of Sunday Mba, one of six domestic players in Keshi's 23-man team.  The unusually high quota of local content was justified by the excellent performances of Mba and other homegrown players.  Mba certainly lifted the spirits of most Nigerians with his two mesmerizing winning goals against Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals and Burkina Faso in the finals respectively; better-known international icons like Pele and Maradona would have been proud to have scored either goal.  Indeed, despite technical and capacity limitations locally, there are undoubtedly many more Mbas, loaded with the ‘Nigerian Spirit’, waiting to explode in the service of our country in various fields of endeavour whenever the enabling economic environment presents itself.

Mba's electric performance and Keshi's success sent out a strong message that the object of our expensive foreign travails may actually have remained idle in the pockets of our 'shokoto'.  This same syndrome of lack of belief in ourselves, and the cringing adoration for everything foreign, even when the imported quality is inferior can still be observed in all facets of governance and corporate management in our country!

Finally, we cannot comment on the apparent total commitment of Victor Moses to the national team’s success without a twitch of guilt or at best some embarrassment.  Indeed, after his petulance in retaliation to tackles in the pre-tournament match against Cape Verde, it was unlikely that the same player would win the fair-play award in the final match of AFCON 2013.  Moses certainly responded positively to the reformative chiding by a very unhappy Coach Keshi after the Cape Verde match, as the young man subsequently rode more vicious tackles without any visible emotional outburst in the six AFCON matches played by the Super Eagles!  Despite the threatening injury he sustained in the earlier match against Mali, Moses went on to give a superlative account of himself also in the finals.

Surprisingly, Victor had a choice to play for England and ultimately enjoy the same cult status of key players in the English team, but it is to his credit and his sense of loyalty that he chose, instead, to play for his fatherland; unknown to most Nigerians, the parents of this young man were mindlessly murdered in the mayhem that followed the aborted Abuja Miss World Beauty Contest in 2002!  Painfully, the perpetrators of that heinous act remain free; Victor Moses may never forget the brutal separation from his parents, but for him to have given so much of himself to Nigeria in the AFCON 2013 tournament, the young man must have found it in his heart to forgive his countrymen!

Nigerians everywhere thank the Super Eagles, the team's support staff and travelling fans for burnishing our national image and delivering on their promise to put a smile on the faces of longsuffering compatriots; however, we also pray that our smiles become a wider grin at the Confederation Cup in June!  Good Luck!

 

By Henry Boyo

 

 

 

Reports of the resignation of Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, less than a day after winning the 29th African Cup of Nations (AFCON), have been received with sadness by Nigeria fans.

“I did what I feel is right by resigning,” Keshi told Metro FM. “I gave the NFF a letter last night [Sunday] after the celebrations.”

According to the radio station, Keshi claimed to have been sacked before the quarter-final encounter with Cote d’Ivoire because NFF officials concluded that the Eagles had lost the match even before a ball was kicked, and went ahead to book a return plane to Nigeria.

He claimed, too, that it was after the semi-final that he got wind of NFF’s plan but he dismissed it so that the team could concentrate on the final.

One of the fans who spoke to Huhuonline.com lamented that keshi’s resignation is coming at a time when the country should be savouring the joy of Sunday’s monumental triumph.

“This is sad”, he said. “We should be celebrating, not destroying what we have built. I hope everything is resolved very soon.”

Though the news has been denied by Emeka Inyanma of the NFF, it was unofficially confirmed by some staff of the Sports Ministry, who further said the sports management in the country is making efforts to manage the situation because of the embarrassment it is likely to engender..

SuperSports presenter, Robert Marawa, also confirmed that Keshi disclosed he was quitting the position of coach, a report that has left many wondering why the coach would resign after leading the country to victory.

But Huhuonline.com learnt that Keshi was pissed off by the intrigues that followed earlier disappointing performances of the team at the beginning of the tournament.

According to a source in the NFF, while Keshi battled to lead the country to victory, officials of the NFF busied themselves with meetings on how to replace him should the team perform poorly.

"Keshi got wind of this and has now decided that since his employers don't have confidence in him, he would leave now that he has embarrassed them with excellent performance against their expectation.

"The Sports Ministry is not finding it funny and has been pleading with him and thinking of a way out because it means Nigeria would have to start afresh instead of consolidating on what we have currently," the source said disclosing that some African countries are already struggling to appoint Keshi to head their teams. 

The Sports Ministry and the NFF are yet to come out with a statement on the true position, but Inyanma says as far as the NFF is concerned, Keshi still remains coach and has not resigned.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their victory over Burkina-Faso, in the final match of the tournament.

Omeri thanked the Super Eagles for doing the country proud in South Africa, saying the victory was achieved with our collective efforts.

“Nigeria could not have achieved this feat if we did not do the right thing,” he said.

“The biggest point to note from this is that with the support of all Nigerians, positive development will always come our way. We did not just sit down and wished that we win the trophy, the government, the team, the head coach, all played their part. Everybody did the right thing for us to be happy today.”


The agency, in partnership with the National Sports Commission (NSC), had organised a public viewing centre at the National Stadium, Abuja, to enable sport-loving Nigerians watch the finals.

 

Omeri advised the Eagles to maintain the momentum and continue doing the country proud in future tournaments. He also called on Nigerians to be supportive and positive to the team at all times

“You reflect my sentiment exactly… I share your views though… May I also say that you make sense most of the time…” Bolaji Abdullahi, HM, Chairman NSC

 

Introduction

 

This is the last part of my letter to His Excellency, the aim is to set-up a platform for investigative agencies to do their work. From the media firestorms that Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi unleashed to rebut my observations without proof suggesting one or two things that weren’t really helpful towards sports development in Nigeria, I can discern that his cronies such as Enefiok Udo-Bong and Tunde Akinlabi argued about my credentials academically and sports.

 

Intrigues and Sadness

 

Your Excellency, I like to think that Mr. Abdullahi is not paying this cronies part of the N22Million NSC budgeted for promotion without any necessity because media in Nigeria reports the truth (I would think) about the government for free otherwise it is illegal. I will vouch for that any day but cannot remove occasional paid propaganda from my thoughts.

 

Your Excellency, as the Minister cronies shouted that I’m an illiterate; such statement caused me to laugh out loud with my friends and children as such abbreviated version of my academic and professional credential follows:

 

▪     Master of Laws (LLM) with Merit                                       2009

 

       University of London  (UCL & Queen Mary)                    UK

 

 

 

▪     Postgraduate Diploma in European Law                            2008

 

       University of London                                                           UK

 

 

 

▪     Postgraduate Certificate in International Business Law   2008

 

       University of London                                                           UK

 

 

 

▪     Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with Honors                                    2007

 

       University of London, London                                              UK

 

 

 

▪     MBA / Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (PhD)   1990 / 1996       

 

      California Coast University Santa Ana, CA                       USA

 

 

 

▪     Certificate in Business with Accounting concentration   1989

 

       University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) CA           USA

 

 

 

▪     Bachelor of Science in Accounting                                      1988

 

       Minnesota State University (former Moorhead St.) MN     USA

 

                (2yrs Part time & professional training in California)

 

 

 

▪     West African School Certificate (O’Levels)                        1979

 

     Jibril Martins Memorial Grammar School, Iponri, Lagos Nigeria

 

 

 

▪     General Certificate of Education (GCE) O’Levels      1978

 

 

 

▪     Primary School leaving Certificate                               1974      

 

       National primary School, Yaba, Lagos                           Nigeria

 

 

 

▪      Certified Public Accountant (California since 1991)   USA

 

 

 

My past clients include City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport, Sherriff Departments, Public Works, Los Angeles Unified School District, Port (Sea) of Los Angeles, City of Bernalillo, Bernalillo County, Large Financial Institutions, Large Entertainment conglomerates and others. I have only identified public institutions as I’m not at liberty to disclose private clients. Not one of my clients’ revenue falls below $1Billion (or about N200Billion). It takes integrity and top security clearance to be entrusted with such responsibility.

 

Your Excellency, I was also an athlete that represented Lagos State from the age of 14 to 17 (gained from grass root sports development lacking today), qualified along with others at age of 15 to represent Nigeria at World Junior cross country Championship in Poland before the Military regime pulled out. The record is there and my compatriots are alive hale and hearty. Can we say the same thing about Mr. Abdullahi and that Solomon Ogba of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN)? In addition, after a successful untainted (with any drug) career at the American collegiate circle, I maintain assistance to many athletes in excess of 100 including camping about 20 of them in Mr. Abdullahi home state of Kwara. Again, the records are there and the athletes are alive and still on the national team since 2006. Shouldn’t the country worry how an athlete remained on national team for about 8 years? I would and it will definitely bother me even though these are my kids.

 

Your Excellency, Mr. Abdullahi cronies also suggested that they found grammatical errors in my writings; therefore, they can’t comprehend what my articles were about. Unfortunately, from the same media release by Mr. Abdullahi and his cronies the issues were responded to.

 

Your Excellency , the funniest thing is that my writings invite Nigeria’s intellectuals that can read technical writings (not novices) and legal documents and I like to believe the Minister got such skills and if not, he is not qualified to head any Ministry.

 

Interestingly, Your Excellency, that Dr. Ojo-Oba (NSC Staff) in charge of N550Million grass root sports development that failed to deliver a single athlete was charged in criminal case while he was the secretary of football federation N1.3Billion scam and his travel was limited then.

 

Your Excellency, every single proposal delivered to the Minister was free of charge as my contribution to Nigeria but the Minister cronies enjoying N22Million annual paycheques are now having sleepless nights.

 

In fact, the Minister wrote in November 2012 and I quote, “You reflect my sentiment exactly… I share your views though… May I also say that you make sense most of the time…”

 

Your Excellency, the question now is, if the Minister agrees with my writings or proposal (delivered voluntarily and free without any interest in any office as I am happy where I am) and yet he is doing the opposite thing, is it not proper to assume that he lacks integrity, objectivity and interest of the athletes rather he bows to his cronies and cabal with impunity?

 

Your Excellency, I refer to excerpt of my published (copyright) materials again in respect of funding and budget of NSC and you can see why Mr. Abdullahi lacked the skills to remain as a Minister anywhere,

 

“In 201049 NSC continues the same pattern of spending in all those areas noted in 2009 at higher amounts including increase to N550Million for Grass root sports development. Also, N400Million was budgeted for soft drink Equipment, N88Million for security despite the Nigerian Police having such mandate along with questionable African Athletics Centre for N260Million and N880Million for sporting activities.

 

201150budget included similar appropriations noted earlier  in 2009 and 2010, plus cost of resurfacing National Stadium Surulere, Lagos (NSL) by National Institute for Sports (NIS) for N32M while NSC also has budget doing the same stadium for N81M. NIS does not own NSL and did not have such obligation to resurface any tartan tracks (nor does it appear it was done). NSC also had about N5Billion for sporting activities.

 

In 201251, NSC maintains similar level of highlighted expenditures. The commission received approximately N9Billion covering the commission, Football Association and Institute of Sports. The personnel cost out of this budget was about N1.6Billion and capital expenditures amounted to N1.5Billion while the remainders of the appropriations were simply overhead.

 

The budget for 201352 showed a little improvement with reduction in publicity expenditure to about N9Million however; NIS continues its unusual high budget for NSL that NSC has capital expenditures approval away from NIS budget. The National Assembly may have simply missed any of these appropriations except perhaps the notation of unnecessary spending on free facebook.53”

 

Your Excellency, Mr. Abdullahi simply lacked the skill to comprehend necessity for budget or how budget is made or how to read a budget otherwise he would have refer this outrageous spending to EFCC. Well I speak as an expert designated since 1991 before Mr. Abdullahi and his cronies ever step foot on any University campuses, if they truly did. Furthermore, I would think Mr. Abdullahi is subject to requirement to declare his assets and not maintain accounts abroad which I can determine if he maintains an account in UK within minute.

 

Conclusion

 

Your Excellency, my request is simply that NSC be probed and the Minister must step aside to have an effective resolution. Furthermore, AFN leader Solomon Ogba must be probed because multi-Billions received from NSC is simply based on fraud. I have no personal misgiving with the Minister or anyone and my interest is the athletes welfare where there are at least N2Billion in NSC budget for them but some of them cry up to me every now and then for funds, personal issues, travels, education and other concerns. If I can write for about an hour every day until these issues are resolved it saves me telephone costs, travel costs, western union fees and interruptions in dealing with my paying clients’ concerns, so be it because in the end my country benefits and the idiots go home. Simply put I can no longer be “FATHER CHRISTMAS”. Enough is enough. Thank you for listening.

 

I rest

 

Dr. Rashid A. Balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.), LLM(London)

 

rbaloguncpa@hotma

Dictatorship is a word that Nigerians of years past got a glimpse and reality of what the word meant but nowadays when it raised its ugly head or big stomach the governed rise up vigilantly. This writer wrote about National Sports Commission (NSC) leader and Solomon Ogba (disgraced and no longer a leader) of Athletics Federation (AFN) acting dictatorially and victimizing athletes and NSC maintains blind eyes and ears and in fact wants that man to be Director-General of NSC.

Whatever that is between the two of them will soon be revealed in expose but what happened over the weekend justifies a serious look why the Presidency does not see urgent need to bring in credible and acceptable people in sports.

Solomon Ogba (former NSC imposed AFN leader)

The header here is no misnomer Ogba was imposed by NSC on athletes and discriminated against any athlete who refused to compete for Delta State as slaves and those athletes were over 90% of the national team. He also victimized and intimidated virtually all of them to the point that some of them wrote this writer to aid in finding them a country to naturalise and the NSC leader was informed promptly even with the actual email.

London Olympics Games came with surprise to everyone that Solomon Ogba and his entourage hired a drug violator Ellenwood Garfield to coach Nigerian team. The Minister was informed while he was in London but unfortunately this same Minister joined the parade of drug cheats on red carpet, I refer to Nigeria’s own drug violator Mary Onyali showering her with accolades and Nigerians were amazed with this hypocrisy.

Recently, the Minister announced that not just athletes would be banned in the future but also the officials, but that time is now. Specifically, Solomon Ogba hired the same drug cheat Ellenwood Garfield (of London Olympics outrage) to coach Nigeria’s team in Penn Relays over the weekend.

Again, over the weekend to pacify athletes by intimidation Solomon Ogba illegally banned all Nigerian athletes (over 600) in other to prevent them to vote in election for Board leadership. In fact Ogba also threatened athletes who were not part of his so-called Golden league competition (which is a money stealing scheme). He sent skype threats text messages to some athletes vowing he will deal with them for not supporting him in his foolish agenda of thuggery and corruption, a typical area-boy that he is and was.

Bolaji Abdullahi, Honourable (?) Minister

Well, I hesitated on the use of the term ‘honourable’ because that office is honourable but the occupier, this writer is not so sure based on recent events.

This individual supported Solomon Ogba in all his nefarious actions injurious to the nation called Nigeria and for that reason alone, the term ‘honourable’ appendage to his name got a question mark.

Furthermore, this NSC leader pronounced a communiqué on behalf of various states that was never before the so-called National Council of Sports, essentially he was alleged to be lying because that statements was prepared at least one week before any discussion at the Ilorin parley with states sports council representatives. Again, this is not honourable action.

Going back on Ogba issue, Mr. Abdullahi was reported as forwarding Ogba name to the Presidency to become the next Director-General of NSC. Imagine, the entire Nigerian athletes protest against a person the NSC wants to be its Director-General. I will say this, Mr. Abdullahi and Ogba must leave Nigeria’s sports alone and if they don’t they should expect more protests. Next protest will not just be from the athletes but also from the country’s seats of power as this article will be on the desk of every Government agency in Nigeria, all AFN sponsor and international sporting organizations.

We say, Mr. Abdullahi it’s your call to act honourably or be dishonored and disrespected. Until you ban Solomon Ogba and his destroying supporters at AFN from ever be involve in any sport your actions will be suspicious. The country is in democracy and the athletes that should determine their own future wants freedom and justice not threats, intimidation and drug violators around them or being their leader.

AFN has continually defrauded the country and you are aware but did nothing rather you established a panel to intimidate a complainant of Olympics bribery scandal. The country also became aware of your threat to refer a matter on football management withdrawal of N10million to EFCC but not interested hundreds of millions AFN got illegally from NSC or simply demands records from AFN.

The pending federations elections are as noted many times will be a farce, scam, sham and scandalous and must be jettisoned. Failure of acting in the interest of those you governed, we ask that you resign or we will petition the President to remove you, immediately. This we guarantee you.

I rest.

Dr. Rashid A. Balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.), LLM(London)

 

　

 

　

 

The prospect of an all-German or an all-Spanish European Champions League final next month remained alive after Friday's semi-final draw. Last year's beaten finalists Bayern Munich, who have already secured the Bundesliga title, take on Spanish league leaders Barcelona.

In the other match, Borussia Dortmund will play Real Madrid, as representatives of Europe's current dominant footballing powers go head-to-head. The first leg matches will be played on April 23 and 24, with the return games on April 30 and May 1.

But with the Spanish and German teams kept apart when European football's governing body UEFA made the draw for the last four, the Wembley showpiece could just as easily feature yet another Germany-Spain clash.

Remarkably, the four semi-finalists can boast a total of 18 European titles between them. Real lead the way with nine victories, although their last success dates back to 2002. Their arch-rivals Barcelona and Bayern both have four and Borussia weigh in with their single victory in 1997 when they upset favourites Juventus 3-1 in the final.

Neutral fans were probably hoping for a Bayern v Barcelona final, promising a feast of football between arguably the continent's two top teams of the moment. The semi-final is given added piquancy in that former Barca coach Pep Guardiola is to take over the helm at Munich's Allianz Arena next year.

But Jupp Heynckes, the man he is to replace, will have reason enough of his own for wanting to reach the final -- and not simply in order to bow out on a winning note in London. He will no doubt also be hoping that Real win through to the Wembley showdown, as a fitting way to bring down the curtain on his long and distinguished coaching career against the side he led to the European crown in in 1998, bringing the Madrid giants their first title in the competition in more than 30 years.

Bayern, having comprehensively dispatched Juventus in the last round, again have home advantage first but are unlikely to find the Barca defence as porous as the Italians, who shipped four goals without reply over the two legs. However, if they are to reach their third final in four years, Bayern will have to do so without the services of leading scorer Mario Mandzukic, who is suspended for the first leg.

Barcelona, in their sixth semi-final in as many years, showed just how reliant they are on World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi in their hard-fought quarter-final triumph over Paris Saint Germain, eventually prevailing on away goals. But they needed the less-than-fully-fit Messi to come off the bench in the second leg in Barcelona to orchestrate the equaliser on the night that saw them through.

Jose Mourinho's Real are unlikely to relish the thought of another trip to Dortmund in this season's competition.In the group stages, the Germans overran Real 2-1 and then earned a deserved 2-2 draw in Madrid to finish top of the group.

And the way Real struggled to overcome game Galatasary, losing the away leg 3-2, while Dortmund were getting the better of another Spanish side Malaga with two late goals, will doubtless set the alarm bells ringing in the Spanish capital.

There is also the little matter of the bitter memory of their last German semi-final opponents, Bayern, who beat them on penalties at the same stage of the competition last season. The first leg matches will be played on April 23 and 24, with the return games on April 30 and May 1, with the final at Wembley stadium in London on May 25.

Meanwhile, in the EUROPA League semi-finals, Chelsea was drawn against Swiss side Basel while Turkish giants Fenerbache will face one of the competition favorites, Benefica of Lisbon.

Reigning African champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria held its first training session in the Canaan City of Calabar on Monday as the team began its final preparation for the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya next Saturday.

Second choice goalkeeper, Austin Ejide, Michael Babatunde and Fegor Ogude were the first foreign-based stars to join the Super Eagles camp. They were among the 12 out of the 23 players expected to feature for the national team against the Harambee Stars of Kenya that started training in Calabar.

Ogude flew into Calabar with the team from Abuja, while Ejide joined the others at the Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel about an hour after the team’s arrival. Babatunde was just on time to hop into the team’s bus for the day’s training session.

The team departed for training at about 3:30pm at the Abraham Ordia Sports Complex inside the University of Calabar and will repeat same tomorrow and all through the days leading to the match against Harambee Stars.

Head Coach, Stephen Keshi says he expects a full house by this morning, adding that training will be the same time and all players expected should have been in, as he needs a good number of training sessions for the team to jell against Kenya.

“We would have a full house for Tuesday’s evening training and from there we see how ready the players are for the task at hand,” he declared.

The team had a light training session with the UNICAL Football team before it went into its own session that was supervised by Keshi and his assistants. The nine Nigeria Premier League stars in the team are Chigozie Agbim, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwueke, Gabriel Reuben, Sunday Mba, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis, Obinna Nwachukwu and Gambo Mohammed.

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola on Friday announced a cash gift of N54.5m to members of the Super Eagles of Nigeria for clinching the 29th African Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy.

The excited governor made the announcement when he hosted the team in his Lagos House office at Alausa, Ikeja. In addition to the gift, he announced another donation of N2.5m to Coach Stephen Keshi.

Keshi's immediate assistant, Daniel Amokachi received N2m while each of the other four assistant coaches got the sum of N1.5m. Captain of the team, Joseph Yobo also got an extra N1.5 million.

The governor gave each of the players who scored the team’s 11 goals at the tournament the sum of N1.5m each while others got N1 million each. Also, Governor Fashola gave the backroom staff of the team a total sum of N15m while the supporters’ club received another N4.5m.

Describing the gesture as a token, he commended the team for lifting the spirit of the country and its citizens through its excellent performance at the tournament. He described the successful outing as a victory for the country and its sports, especially considering the team’s latest position on the FIFA ranking.

Fashola urged them against relenting, saying they should rather build on the recorded success as they prepare to meet Kenya next month in a World Cup qualifier.

“Let us remind ourselves that Zambia, the immediate defending champions of the tournament, did not make it to the second round,” he said reminding the team of the forthcoming Confederations Cup which is to begin in June.

“The Confederations Cup provides us with an opportunity to improve on our performance. Yes, we have moved from very abysmal ranking to 4th in Africa and 30th in the world but we must remember that the ranking used to be better because in 1994, we were ranked 5th in the world.”

He implored them to always be conscious of the fact that the job is far from completion, saying “We must begin to plan ahead and do all the right things to ensure the team performs better.”

While using the opportunity to call for the improvement of the local league and grassroots football since they both have prospect for the country's performance in international competitions, he urged sport officials to desist from interfering with coaching matters in the national teams.

For a series of wrong calls in Wednesday’s second semi-final match between Ghana and Burkina Faso at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), Tunisian referee Slim Jdidi has earned a suspension from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Secretary-general of CAF, Hicham El Amrani, speaking at a news conference before the Burkinabe FA lodged an official appeal against Jonathan Pitroipa’s red card, revealed the disappointment of the continental body in the referee’s performance.

“There is a meeting tomorrow (Friday) to discuss the Pitroipa incident,” he said. “Pitroipa’s chances of playing in the final depend on the match report sent in by Jdidi because the organising committee does not have the power to change the referee’s decision unless the referee admits he made a mistake in his official report.”

But Gualbert Kabore, manager of the Stallions team, is hoping two-goal hero Pitroipa can still play in the final.

“The Burkina Faso Football Federation wrote an offical letter of appeal to CAF,” he said. “We lodged it in the two hours after the match as stipulated by the regulations.

“We think we have a good chance of winning the appeal.”

Continuing, he said, “There were some scandalous decisions, we don’t know why, we’re asking lots of questions; there are lots of theories.

“Curiously, the players reacted better than us [the team management staff]. They said if the referee is against us that must mean we are the stronger side.”

Referee Jdid infamously booked Pitroipa for a second time in the encounter for supposedly diving in the penalty zone and sent him out of the field but replays then showed the forward was fouled by a Ghanaian defende. Burkina Fasso also scored a legitimate goal that was disallowed while a strong penalty appeal was also turned down despite Ghana having takien the lead earlier off a controversial penalty call.

 

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  3. AFCON 2013: CAF sacks ref who officiated Nigeria vs. Zambia match
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