Ex-FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura joins African Collaborations …

African Collaborations Group (ACG), the leading strategic project origination and collaboration platform focused on the industrialisation of sport in Africa through the origination of bankable sport and entertainment district ecosystems, today announced the appointment of Fatma Samoura to its Advisory Board.

Recognised as one of the most distinguished sport administrators of her generation, Ms Samoura brings more than three decades of international leadership experience spanning sport, development, humanitarian affairs and global governance. ipl-today.in

Ms Samoura served as Secretary General of FIFA from 2016 to 2023, becoming the first woman and the first non-European to hold the position in FIFA’s history. During her tenure, she oversaw FIFA’s global administration across its major operational and institutional functions, including the delivery of two FIFA World Cups and two FIFA Women’s World Cups. She also played a leading role in strengthening FIFA’s governance, member association services and international development programmes.

Before joining FIFA, Ms Samoura spent more than 21 years with the United Nations, holding senior leadership positions in humanitarian and development operations, including with the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Her UN career took her across Africa, Central and South America and Asia, giving her extensive experience working with governments, international institutions and development partners.

She has served as a Senate Member of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) since February 2022.

Her appointment strengthens the ACG Advisory Board with exceptional expertise in global sport governance, institutional leadership, international development, federation relations and the delivery of major sporting events — capabilities directly relevant to originating and structuring large-scale sport and entertainment district projects across the African continent.

“Fatma Samoura is one of the most distinguished sport administrators of her generation. Her unique experience at the intersection of global governing bodies, national federations, governments and international institutions is precisely the calibre of expertise ACG needs as we originate a new generation of bankable sport and entertainment district ecosystems across the African continent. Her presence on our Advisory Board is a genuine strategic asset,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), Founder and Executive Chairman of ACG.

The ACG Advisory Board provides strategic guidance as ACG originates and structures large-scale sport and entertainment district projects across the continent, aligning governments, development finance institutions (DFIs), investors, sport bodies and infrastructure partners to support the development of financially sustainable, mixed-use district ecosystems.

Africa’s sport economy is projected to reach $20 billion by 2035, yet the continent continues to lack the integrated district ecosystems required to support large-scale development. ACG addresses this gap by originating bankable sport and entertainment district projects, moving beyond single-venue development models towards mixed-use, revenue-generating and financially sustainable district ecosystems.

Through its collaborative model, ACG convenes governments, PPP authorities and regulators, development finance institutions, private investors, developers, designers and engineers, legal and transaction advisors, operators, sport federations and leagues, event promoters, media and broadcast partners, academic institutions and host communities, creating structured pathways from concept to feasibility, bankability and delivery.

The post Ex-FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura joins African Collaborations Group Advisory Board appeared first on SportsAfrica - Sports news | Live scores | Match highlights | Betting tips.

Deux semaines après l’éboulement meurtrier survenu à la décharge de Dar-es-Salam, quartier populaire de la banlieue de Conakry, l’heure était aux derniers adieux ce vendredi 4 septembre. À la mosquée turque de Bambéto, familles endeuillées, autorités, responsables religieux et citoyens se sont retrouvés pour rendre hommage aux 36 personnes qui ont perdu la vie dans cette tragédie. La cérémonie a été suivie de leur inhumation au cimetière des Martyrs de Bambéto.

For the first time in a long time the Springboks have made minimal changes to their match 23, ahead of the third Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test against the All Blacks at the FNB Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 5:10pm).

The Boks have gotten used to a heavy rotational policy that sees them make multiple changes to their match day squad between Tests, which they did during the Nations Championship earlier this year.

After their first Test loss against the All Blacks at Ellis Park the Boks initially made seven changes to their match 23 for the second Test in Cape Town, which became six after an injury to Handre Pollard ruled him out, but from the second to third Test the Boks have made just one injury enforced change to the playing squad.

One change

Damian Willemse was ruled out with a hamstring injury, with Cheslin Kolbe moving to fullback and Kurt-Lee Arendse coming onto the wing, and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick explained that it is because they are trying to use the series to mirror Rugby World Cup knockouts.

“To be honest about it, the goal for this Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry from the beginning was to treat it like the World Cup playoffs. Even the changes we made after the first game, a few of them were due to injuries,” said Stick.

“So when it comes to continuity the players understood that was the plan and goal for this tournament. Because if you are in this position at the World Cup you are always going to try and play your best possible 23.

“It’s unlucky for some guys, like Paul de Villiers, he is a youngster who has taken his chance (with both hands) and played very well, but Siya (Kolisi) was injured and that is why we made that change when he was fit to play.

“As a coach I really enjoy seeing the youngsters pushing the senior players, and that is the kind of competition we need in our squad. But the reason we have made less changes this week is because of our goal of playing like this is the playoffs.”

Building consistency

Captain Kolisi admitted that the few changes have helped the team build cohesion and consistency over the past two weeks, and they want to take advantage of that.

“It does help us with continuity. It was also my first game back (last weekend), and I have played with these guys quite a lot. But sometimes to train with the same team over a week, then play with them, and train with that same team over another week helps us,” explained Kolisi.

“We have learned things from the previous game and been able to build on that in training with the same group again. But at the same time we know coach Rassie (Erasmus) always has a plan and he tells us it from the beginning.

“So when guys get an opportunity it is great for us. Because then when I am down (injured), I know the next guy who will play is as good as me or better. At the end of the day as long as the team is successful, then it doesn’t matter who is wearing the jersey as we will all be successful as a squad.”