SPORTS
UK not Banning Politicians from Attending
The British government has confirmed that members of the country’s parliament (MPs) are not banned from attending the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
It however said on Sunday that there were no plans for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to fly to Qatar in support of England and Wales.
The number of fans, organisations and cities choosing to snub this year’s competition has continued to rise due to concerns over the Gulf state’s human rights record.
The prime minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “No plans for the PM to attend, but we confirm travel nearer the time.”
Asked if there was a ban on attendance, he replied: “Not that I’m aware of.”
Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell announced last month that Labour would not be sending a delegation to the Middle East nation.
She said this was in a stand against Qatar’s criminalisation of same-sex relationships and its treatment of migrant workers.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, however, said he would be making the trip with two of his Cabinet members for the group stages.
He claimed he would use the platform “to promote Wales and engage in diplomacy.”
Last week the Welsh government said it would now not be attending Wales’ match against Iran.
This was in response to the events which have unfolded since 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the country’s morality police.
The decision was not related to the wider debate about whether the entire visit to Qatar was appropriate, the government said.
Politicians and political parties are not alone in having to grapple with the controversy surrounding the tournament.
National teams as well as celebrities, commentators and members of the royal family have had to make their decisions on the matter public.
The England and Wales teams decided against removing themselves from the running for the world’s biggest sporting event, with their games expected to go ahead as planned.
Both squads have instead opted for wearing the “One Love” armbands in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
The Football Association of Wales said its players have been told they have the freedom to speak out on any issues that concern them during the 28-day-long World Cup.
None of the 32 sides taking part have pulled out in spite of calls by a number of local teams for a boycott.
Australian team the Socceroos became the first team to come out with a collective statement criticising host Qatar’s human rights violations.
In the impassioned video, team members said the “decision to host the World Cup in Qatar has resulted in the suffering and harm.”
They called for better labour rights and the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships.
A growing number of French cities, including Paris, have joined a boycott and will not show World Cup matches in public places or set up fan zones.
The mayor of Marseille claimed the competition had “gradually turned into a human and environmental disaster.”
Football pundit and former England striker Gary Lineker, who is commentating at the World Cup for the BBC, said there was a responsibility with reporting the tournament.
Fellow footballing legend David Beckham has been heavily criticised for accepting 10 million pounds (11.3 million dollars) to be an ambassador for Qatar.
A televised campaign he starred in, which claimed the World Cup will be carbon neutral, has been reported to British and European watchdogs.
Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, has said he has “no plans” to attend the World Cup due to a busy winter schedule.
He however added that he may look at going if England reaches the final.
But as the tournament nears, pressure to boycott the World Cup grows.
Campaigners have began to ask celebrities, such as Robbie Williams, who will be performing in Doha, not to support the World Cup.
Already, world football governing body FIFA has written to all teams competing, telling them to “now focus on the football” following a controversial build-up.
Qatar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said, while responding to the development, that the reasoning behind the boycotts does not “add up.”
“There is a lot of hypocrisy in these attacks, which ignore all that we have achieved,” Sheikh Mohammed added.
Reigning African champions Nigeria are keen to redeem themselves after losing to a late goal by Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses on Saturday in the first of two friendly matches in the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé.
Both teams clash again at the Military Stadium in Yaoundé to conclude a two-match arrangement organised by the two countries’ football federations as part of preparations for this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The Lionesses, who will face Ghana, Mali and Cape Verde in Group D at this year’s tournament in Morocco, scored in added time of the second half at the same venue on Saturday evening, in what many consider a timely reality check for 10-time continental champions Nigeria.
Yvana Mbomezomo’s long-range effort in stoppage time beat debutant goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor for the only goal of the match. However, Erhabor delivered a composed and confident performance on her debut and can take positives from her outing.
Second-half substitutes Joy Omewa, Precious Christopher, Folashade Ijamilusi, Esther Onyenezide and Michelle Alozie increased the pressure on the Lionesses, but goalkeeper Ange Bawou was in fine form and stood firm for the hosts.
On Tuesday, head coach Justin Madugu is expected to tweak his tactics and possibly make changes to his personnel as the Falcons aim for victory, having previously defeated the Lionesses 1-0 in the final of the 2016 Women’s AFCON.
Africa’s top-ranked goalkeeper over the past two years, Chiamaka Nnadozie, could return to the starting line-up, with Alozie also likely to start alongside Oluwatosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale and Glory Ogbonna in defence. Onyenezide, Christopher, Ucheibe, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene and Jennifer Echegini remain options in midfield.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Gift Monday, Rinsola Babajide, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Ijamilusi are available attacking options.
Saturday’s defeat was Nigeria’s first loss in 90 minutes to an African opponent since the third-place match against Zambia at the 2022 WAFCON.
Nigeria head into WAFCON 2026 as defending champions and will compete in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi.
The tournament is scheduled to hold from March 17 to April 3 in Morocco, although its kickoff remains uncertain due to concerns over the hosts’ readiness.
The four semi-finalists at the 2026 WAFCON will earn automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
South Africa produced an unconvincing performance with the bat but beat Zimbabwe by five wickets to set up a semi-final against New Zealand.
An 18-ball 42 from Dewald Brevis at number four proved crucial as wickets tumbled in South Africa’s chase of 154 before George Linde (30 off 21) and Tristan Stubbs (21 off 24) saw them over the line with 13 balls to spare.
South Africa, who have won all seven of their matches in this tournament, are searching for a maiden T20 World Cup title having previously reached the final in 2024.
The result also confirms England, who finished top of Group 2 in the Super 8s, will face either India or West Indies in the last four as neither side will be able to match South Africa’s haul of six points.
They meet in the final Super 8 game at 13:30 GMT, with the winner progressing to the semi-finals.
“South Africa are going to be hard to stop. They have ticked every box in this tournament,” said former Australia wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell.
“They have a massive belief around the group and are starting to bask in the glory of their younger players who have developed.
“Today was about getting some time under the belts of the back-ups in case some players need a rest.”
After restricting Zimbabwe to 153-7, South Africa lost three wickets inside the powerplay, with Sikandar Raza (3-29) removing openers Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram for single-figure scores and Ryan Rickelton for 31 (22).
From 43-3, 22-year-old Brevis combined with David Miller (22 off 16) for a 50-run fourth-wicket stand off 25 balls to break the back of the chase before both batters fell in the space of five deliveries to set up a nervy finish with 53 runs needed from 56 balls.
Earlier, Zimbabwe captain Raza had proved a thorn in South Africa’s side with the bat, striking a defiant 73 (34), including eight fours and four sixes. Clive Madande (26 not out) was the next highest scorer, chipping in with a handful of plate boundaries to take Zimbabwe beyond 150.
Teenage quick Kwena Maphaka was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-21.
From Abel Zwanke, Lafia
The Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO) Football Directorate has appointed six football administrators, including former Lobi Stars and Plateau United officials, as coordinators for the North Central states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of its 2026 National Football Tournament.
The appointments, approved under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, take immediate effect and are aimed at strengthening grassroots football mobilisation in the zone ahead of the tournament scheduled for April 2026.
Announcing the appointments on Sunday, North Central Zonal Coordinator of TSO and Chairman of Nasarawa United F.
C., Solomon Babanjah, said the move was part of efforts to ensure a seamless organisation of zonal eliminations leading to the national finals.According to the list released, retired Director of Information in the Nasarawa State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Patron of Akwanga All Stars FC, Danmusa Mohammed Oweh, will serve as Coordinator for Nasarawa State.
Former Chairman of Lobi Stars F.C. and current Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Creativity, Dr. Philip Ter Nongu, was named Coordinator for Benue State, while General Manager of Plateau United F.C., Barrister Gideon Atu Izang, will coordinate Plateau State.
Others appointed are Shaibu Yakubu for Niger State, Muhammad Abdullahi for Kogi State, Dele Abubakar (MON) for Kwara State, and Mr. Patrick Ngwaogu for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Babanjah said the coordinators would oversee implementation of the football project in their respective states and liaise with local clubs to assemble formidable teams for the zonal elimination series.
“They are to work closely with football stakeholders at the grassroots to raise competitive state teams for the zonal playoffs and ultimately the national finals,” he said.
He added that beyond the tournament, the coordinators are mandated to organise coaching clinics, refereeing courses and football administration workshops to strengthen local football structures.
“The project is not just about competition. It is about talent discovery, community engagement and using sports as a vehicle for social cohesion in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he stated.
The TSO Football Project, according to the statement signed by TSO Media representative Eche Amos, is designed to deepen community participation and promote national unity through sports development initiatives.
According to reports, Dates and venues for the zonal playoffs and national finals are expected to be announced in due course.
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