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Gusau promises NFF support for futsal, beach soccer

In the frame of providing inspiration, support and encouragement to all aspects of the Nigeria Football sector to grow and attain some level of sustainability, the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led NFF has pledged to support futsal and beach soccer to return to full-steam activities.

Speaking during a courtesy call by a team from Futsal Nigeria, a private entity that is partnering with the NFF officially to promote and project the game of futsal (5-A-Side football) in Nigeria, Gusau recalled that the country previously participated in a Futsal World Cup qualifying fixture against Egypt a decade ago, and has actually made its mark in beach soccer in the continent and globally before a deliberate hiatus some years ago.

“Some years ago, we decided to stop taking part in beach soccer at international level until such a time that we have grown the game locally with a stable league and clubs that have true passion for the game. I believe that we have achieved that now, and it is time that we encourage and support futsal and beach soccer again to return to full action.

“I am delighted that even FIFA is thinking of organizing a Futsal World Cup for women. Our country is blessed with talented footballers at all levels, men and women, and I am sure that even if we are not in the maiden edition, we will soon have a team that will qualify to participate in subsequent editions of the competition.”

Secretary of the NFF Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee, Abubakar Barde, said the committee was eager to see how to bring a new momentum to futsal and beach soccer in the country.

Shamsudeen Tijani Yusuf, Coordinator of Futsal Nigeria, stated that the company is determined to engender interest in 5-A-Side football in Nigeria, being a game that traverses both recreation and competition levels. “Futsal is a very interesting game and we believe our country can begin to make a serious impact at continental and global levels with the talents at our disposal.” He was in company with Futsal Nigeria’s Head of Communication and Strategy, Nurudeen Nyako and Head of Women in Futsal Nigeria, Miss Maryam Bukar.

He then presented T-Shirts and brochures to the NFF President and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

Also present at the event were NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; NFF Executive Committee member, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa; Director of Finance and Admin, Mr. Babatunde Akinsanya; Director of Communications, Mr. Ademola Olajire and Head of Marketing and Sponsorship, Mr. Alizor Chuks.

Ligue 1

NBA Star Durant Invests In PSG

Basketball star Kevin Durant has taken a minority stake in Paris Saint-Germain, the European champions announced Friday, without saying how many shares the power forward had acquired

Kevin Durant, who won gold in the Paris 2024 basketball, has taken a stake in the city’s best-known football club Paris Saint-Germain

The club said in a statement that owners Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) had “signed an investment and strategic partnership agreement with Kevin Durant, one of the most decorated US basketball players of all time and a leading investor in sports and entertainment properties.”

It said Durant would acquire the stake “via his media and investment arm Boardroom”.

The club said QSI would cooperate with Boardroom “on a wide-series of commercial, investment, and content initiatives” including merchandise, media content US and international strategy and “potential Basketball/Multi-Sport expansion.”

“With Kevin, we look forward to developing ambitious initiatives that will drive the continued global growth of Paris Saint-Germain and QSI,” said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of QSI.

Durant, 36, is a power forward with the Phoenix Suns. He won two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors and has four Olympic gold medals, the last from the 2024 Paris Games.

He said in the PSG statement that PSG and Paris were “a Club and a city that is so close to my heart. This club has big plans ahead, and I can’t wait to be a part of the next phase of growth.”

France24.com

News

AFC Completes 5th Coach Education Conference

The AFC has concluded its three-day Coach Education Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it’s 5thedition, that covered a range of topics aimed at advancing coach education programmes across the confederation.

Titled ‘Shaping the Future of Coach Education’, AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh’s keynote address focussed on developing ‘Tomorrow’s Coaches’.

The second day led with a presentation on the membership requirements of the UEFA Coaching Convention, covering aspects such as organising national courses and increasing the percentage of female tutors in the MAs’ coach education landscape.

Debate covered the specific needs of MAs, and the importance of reality-based learning, different styles of leadership, and adapting to technological advancements.

A panel featuring Qatar Football Association (QFA)’s Fahad Abdullah Al Zarraa, Aspire Academy’s Maria Ruiz de Ona, AFC Grassroots and Youth Football Development Consultant Robin Russell, and Education 4 Peace Foundation Founder Mark Milton, highlighted the importance of prosocial responsibility in football.

Participants also received insights into tactical trends and standout individual performances from the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025, the Champions League Elite, and the Women’s Champions League.

The final day featured presentations by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Technical Director Nasser Larguet, and the Football Association of Ireland Head of Coach Education Niall O’Regan, who shared insights into their coach education programmes.

“The AFC Coach Education Conference has not only enabled us to exchange ideas but also hear of success stories which undeniably motivate MAs in improving their existing programmes,” said Faye Chambers, Coach Education Instructor at Football Australia .

“Moreover, a lot of work is being done to empower more women coach educators through exclusive courses, and the impact can clearly be seen, as over the years, more and more women are taking up leadership roles in football, which is a clear indication of the progress being made on the Continent.”

Insideworldfootball.com

News

Somalia Set For Historic Beach Soccer Debut

The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has launched training programs for beach soccer coaches and referees under its REACH Initiative, aimed at getting the ball rolling in all corners of the country which is now preparing for its first ever beach soccer tournament.

The minister for youth and sport, Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali, and Somali Football Federation president, Ali Abdi Mohamed, jointly inaugurated the start of the SFF’s first beach soccer development programme on June 18.

Sixteen coaches and 16 referees from the federation’s beach soccer department are benefiting from the 6-day training courses which are being conducted by Salim Jamal Muwonge (coaching instructor) and Bayige Ivan Kintu (refereeing instructor). Both are from Uganda.

“The launch of such training programs shows a historic moment in our country’s footballing sector particularly it is a significant development in the beach soccer department” minister Abdulkadir Ali, said. The minister pointed out that his government is committed to helping SFF in terms of infrastructure development. “The government is working on the establishment of a beach soccer facility.”

Somali Football Federation president, Ali Abdi Mohamed, said that the revival of futsal competitions after years of absence and the start of women’s football in the country were some of the greatest things his administration achieved after his election as president, two years ago.

“Again we stood to get beach soccer going in the country for the first time and the launch of the training programs today is our first step towards that,” said Abdi Mohamed.

Insideworldfootball.com