Rio de Janeiro - The FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 will rely on a security plan comprised of Brazilian federal, state and municipal forces, with more than 54,000 security officers involved in implementing the security plan designed for the competition that kicks off Saturday, 15 June. Details of theConfederations Cup security plan were announced during a press conference held on Friday, 14 June at the Open Media Centre in Rio de Janeiro. According to General Jamil Megid, head of the Brazilian Ministry of Defense's Special Advisory Staff for Security of Major Events, the objective of the security strategy is to act preventively. The national defense contingent relies on 20,000 security officers in the host cities; over 1,100 of this group are military personnel with specializations such as combating terrorism or chemical and nuclear agents. "The main objective in the areas of public security and defense is to provide a safe and peaceful atmosphere. The principal focus is on coordination and integration. Obviously there are several institutions on the federal, state and municipal level, all of whom have their own doctrine and manner of procedure. What we are attempting is to optimize these efforts and build a synergy, with all these institutions cooperating with one another," said General Megid. In addition to plans for the the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, planning national defense and public security for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 also calls for integrating strategies among the armed forces, installing command and control Centres, and buying equipment and technology, all of which totals R$ 1.9 billion (approximately US$ 890 million) in investment from the federal government. Eight Integrated Command Centres have already been installed, in addition to two national Centres (in Brasília and Rio de Janeiro), and one in each host city for the Confederations Cup. On Thursday 13 June, President Dilma Rousseff inaugurated 12 Integrated Mobile Command Centers, two for each city hosting games of the Confederations Cup. The equipment used to help integrate the work of the federal, state and municipal security forces includes monitoring and communications systems to provide security for the duration of the competition. The security plan also includes helicopters with high-technology vigilance equipment, anti-bomb equipment, and other security apparatuses. The Brazilian Ministry of Justice's Extraordinary Secretariat for Security of Major Events has confirmed the contingent will include 3,500 federal police officers; 2,800 federal highway patrol officers, 600 members of the National Public Security Force; 150 members of the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN); 31,000 military police officers; 5,100 firefighters; 3,400 police officers; 6,200 municipal guards; and 2,200 traffic police officers. José Monteiro, director of operations at the Extraordinary Secretariat for Security of Major Events, explains that the investments are enabling a coordinated strategy between security forces from all three levels of government. "The equipment purchased is only the visible part of what has been done over the last few years. The part that cannot be seen, which is just as important as the material legacy, is what we call the operational and doctrinal legacy: bringing the forces together, working and planning in concert." In addition to Monteiro and General Megid, the press conference was attended by Colonel Wanius Amorim, Extraordinary Superintendent for Major Events at the Rio de Janeiro State Civil Defense, and Lieutenant-Colonel Marcelo Rocha, head of the Operational Planning sector of the Rio de Janeiro Military Police.
Tag: football
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54,000 security officers for FIFA Confederations Cup
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Super Eagles draw 2-2 with Mexico
Super Eagles early Saturday morning played a 2-2 draw with the Mexican national team at Reliant Stadium in Houston at an international friendly match .
El Tri started off hot in the contest, but an early straight red card evened out the match.
To start the scoring, it was an early goal by Manchester United striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez who was able to put away a cross from Pablo Barrera.
Unfortunately for the Mexicans, it was just a little time later that Barrera was shown the red card, which resulted in an equalizing goal from the Super Eagles. It was Ideye Brown who was able to sneak the ball past Jose de Jesus Corona on the penalty.
Just before the half, Nigeria was able to charge after a big save from keeper Austin Ejide, which led to John Ogu scoring and putting Nigeria ahead 2-1.
In the second-half, it was Chicharito’s heroics that evened up the game for Mexico just twenty minutes before the final whistle. In a stunning state, four of the five goals Mexico has scored in 2013 have come from the foot of Hernandez. The Mexican offense will need to find more attackers in order to stand out during World Cup qualifiers.
Mexico and Nigeria will now prepare for some tough upcoming matches next week in World Cup qualifying. Mexico will take on Jamaica, Panama and Costa Rica next month, while Nigeria has a match against Kenya.
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Napoli signs Benitez
The outgoing Chelsea manager has been confirmed by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis as the replacement to Walter Mazzarri at the Stadio San Paolo
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has claimed that Rafa Benitez has been hired as the new coach at the Serie A club.Despite finishing second in Serie A, Walter Mazzarri parted ways with the Partenopei and, until Friday’s tease from the owner, who would replace him in the Stadio San Paolo was up in the air.
However, De Laurentiis has ended the speculation by revealing that the outgoing Chelsea boss – who helped the Blues lift the Europa League trophy this season – will soon step into Mazzarri’s shoes on a two-year deal.
He told Sky Sport Italiaon Friday: “I’ve given myself a birthday gift, I’ve signed Benitez. I’ll make it official in the next few days as Benitez needs to end things with Chelsea.
“He’ll have a two-year contract, no longer. We need to get to know each other first, then we’ll see.”
Despite achieving continental glory with the Blues and securing a Champions League spot by finishing third in the Premier League, the former Liverpool boss is not expected to remain in charge at Stamford Bridge. -
FIFA Cup: No extra incentive for Super Eagles – Amadu
NFF scribe Musa Amadu has said that no further incentive would be given to the Super Eagles players at the forth coming FIFA Confederation Cup holding in Brazil in June.Amadu said that the players and their officials would receive only their normal winning bonus of $5,000. “It is a service to our fatherland, no extra incentive would be given to them. They are at the tournament to make a mark, and that is what all Nigerians expect from them. If God’s willing they win the tournament, Nigerians would surely reward them adequately. It is a call to duty” he said told Nationsports.The FIFA Confederation Cup will begin on 15th June, with the Super Eagles playing their first match against Tahiti on 17th June. The African Champions will take on their South American counterpart Uruguay on 20th June, while their last match would be against World and European Champions Spain on 23rd June.Two teams are expected to qualify from each group for the semi finals. When Nigeria last participated in tournament in 1995, they finished fourth, losing the third place match to Mexico on penalties. -
Rio Ferdinand retires
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has announced his retirement from international football with England.
Ferdinand, 34, has just celebrated winning his sixth Premier League title with United and his desire to continue playing for the English champions was central to the decision.“After a great deal of thought, I have decided the time is right for me to retire from international football,” Ferdinand said in a statement on the FA’s official website.
“At the age of 34, I feel it is right for me to stand aside and let the younger players come through, which allows me to concentrate on my club career.
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GUMBA BEATS GONG FOR FOOTBALL ‘It has lessened my high blood pressure’
You don’t have to look further than Adamu Ibrahim Gumba, Chairman, Senate Committee on Sport and Social Development, to affirm the belief that sport is the elixir of life, following his disclosure that the beautiful game of football has suppressed his troublesome high blood pressure.
Sports and wellness go hand-in-hand, and late Prussian explorer and philosopher Alexander von Humboldt redoubtably stated that ‘true enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are united.’
At the lobby of the posh Ryad Mogador Menara on the popular Mohammed V Street in Marrakech, Senator Gumba was truly in a joyous mood as he conversed with The Nation Sport & Style the day after the Golden Eaglets thrashed Tunisia to book their place in the Final of the 2013 Morocco CAN Under-17 Championship.
“Until now, I didn’t even watch live football matches, rather,” stated the 65-year-old former Deputy Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs, “I preferred to watch a repeat after I might have known the result which gives me the room to watch the game peacefully and enjoy it without tension.”
But this is no longer the case for Senator Gumba. Known for his quest for excellence and not doing things at half measure, Senator Gumba has literally poured his heart into his job as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sport and Social Development so much so that he has been lavishly rewarded.
“I was never a sport freak at all until I became the chairman, Senate Committee on Sport and Social Development,” admitted the former teacher whose life is a study in perseverance, having risen through the rank to become Bauchi State’s Head of Civil Service on his way to the 7th National Assembly. “In fact, I was not even interested in watching football because I’m hypertensive and always very anxious.
“Particularly, when any team from Nigeria is involved I usually feel that my blood pressure would increase and I may have some health complications. But since I became the chairman, Senate Committee on Sport and Social Development, it becomes extremely important for me to watch sport and football matches live.
“Over time, I have been able to develop the strength and resistance against having high blood pressure and I have gradually overcome the problem.
“I can now watch football with little or no tension at all and as a result, I’m very much interested in watching football or any other sport for that matter live at the stadium,” enthused the holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in Government from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.
Speaking further on his new-found love for football, Senator Gumba reckons that the beautiful game has become the opium of the Nigerian people, hence the need for government to pay more than lip service to its growth and development.
“Football has brought so much joy to Nigerians and at this stage of my life, I want to use every available opportunity to ensure the unity of this country,” noted Senator Gumba who is a Fellow, Nigeria Institute Of Management and a proud recipient of the 1977 Kano State’s N.Y.S.C Chairman Award.“Sport, and particularly football, is one opportunity that we can explore for the benefit of building a strong indivisible, great nation.
“The only thing that brings unity in Nigeria today is sport and that is why when there is a match involving Nigeria, everybody is involved. This is an area which the Nigerian government and politicians should explore to unite the country and that is why I want more government’s funding for sport.
“More than any area of life, sport is the best thing that can unite us in this country and I usually devote my time and attention to watching Nigerian teams play now.
“Strangely, I don’t support any specific club, rather I pick a club at the start of a match, so I’m less attached to any particular team which has helped in reducing my tension,” he revealed, as he spoke candidly about issues befuddling the administration of the game in the country. Excerpts.
On the never-ending crises in Nigerian sport
We in the senate committee on sports are very worried about the crises in sport, particularly football. Last year, we had so many cases in court with several groups against one another, but we thank God that we crossed the hurdle that they were all resolved. But we are as confused as anybody by some of those ugly things rearing their heads again, the infighting in sport by now should be a thing of the past. We all can see that our sport and particularly football can be better if there is better environment. The Super Eagles won the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa; the Flying Eagles came third in Algeria and the Golden Eaglets nearly conquered the continent too. You can see that if we all join forces together and there is unity in the system, our sport would be in good standing. Be that as it may, one is becoming so disturbed with the problem in the administration of the league following the crises with the club owners and League Management Company. We can all see that it is the administrators that are really the problems with sport in Nigeria. We are not happy with this sad development and they should know that the country belongs to all of us. We would continue to talk with them so that they all can be working for the glory of Nigeria.
On poor funding of sport
The budget for sport and not only football is not adequate, and let me restate it that I’m not happy about this. When President Goodluck Jonathan held a special retreat on sport last year, I thought that a special attention that sport deserves was now in the offing but I think I’m wrong. After the retreat, I was expecting an improvement in the budget for sport, unfortunately, that didn’t happen and I’m very unhappy. Frankly, I think the highest authority in the land is just paying lip service to sport. It is about time we were conscious of the fact that it’s an important aspect of our nation and one of the forces that bind us together. Take for instance the performance of the Super Eagles in the final of the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and I believe the Boko Haram too ceased fire that day because everybody was praying for Nigeria to win. You could see that everybody was happy about such development and I expect that the highest authority in the land should as a matter of urgency focus its attention on sport more than ever before. Though, Mr. President wants more private sponsorship and funding in sport, I don’t think it is something that can be done with a stroke of the pen. It has to be a gradual process for us to expect bumper private funding in sport. I expect that government should still ensure proper funding and improved budget for sport until we are able to cross the Rubicon of better private funding. Unfortunately, we seem to be going nowhere with poor funding by government and little or no funding from the organised private sector. Take football as an example, half of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) budget had already been consumed by the AFCON and how do you want them to prosecute other programmes for their FIFA World Cup? There are other qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup; the Confederation Cup in Brazil for the Super Eagles and several other developmental projects; how do we want the NFF, for instance, to cope in such dire financial state? I want government to come to the aid of the NFF as quickly as possible so that their situation is salvaged.
On drainages in sport
What drainages are we really talking about when the NFF cannot even carry out some of its functions? If they have the resources, would the NFF pull the country out of the CHAN tournament? If they had the resources I don’t think they would be downsizing or contemplate cutting the allowances of the national teams. All of these are just symptoms that they have a very lean budget in executing some of their projects. So this noise about the NFF carrying retinue of people on jamboree is no longer feasible because they don’t have such fund to do that. How much was allocated to them for 2013 and how much have they already expended on so many championships that have brought glory to our country? These are the issues we should look at and not unnecessary distractions. We should look at how much had been budgeted and how much they have spent, it is by so doing that we would appreciate the need for government to improve the budget for sport. It is something that is crystal clear that the NFF as well as other sport federations are groping under lack of fund. Unless government no longer wants Nigeria to participate in future championships and by doing so, you are down grading Nigeria. But we need to be at these major championships due to our sheer size and performance over the years. The private sector is not coming into sport as quickly as we all expect. As a result, I think government should improve its funding of sport until we have improvement from the private sector.
On Golden Eaglets
Coming to Marrakech for the CAN Under-17 Championship gave me the chance to see them physically for the first time after watching their games several times on television and I was more than impressed. My colleagues and I were able to see them and we want to commend their efforts because these are very young boys who have done their best too. We keep motivating these boys because they deserve commendation because it was glaring that the officiating left so much to be desired.
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Havelange resigns as honorary FIFA president
Former FIFA President Joao Havelange resigned as honorary president of soccer’s governing body in a World Cup bribery case that has tarnished the organisation’s image for more than a decade.
FIFA ethics court judge Joachim Eckert said in a ruling published on Tuesday by FIFA that the 96-year-old Brazilian resigned on April 18. The resignation had not been made public until now.
Eckert cleared current FIFA President Sepp Blatter of wrongdoing in the case, which involved millions of dollars in kickbacks from World Cup contracts marketed by the ISL agency which collapsed into bankruptcy in 2001.
Blatter said he received the verdict on his own role ”with satisfaction.”
However, he acknowledged that the 12-year-old case, which has clouded much of his presidency, had done ”untold damage to the reputation” of FIFA.
Havelange, who led FIFA from 1974-98, and his former son-in-law Ricardo Teixeira were guilty of ”morally and ethically reproachable conduct,” Eckert wrote.
The German judge noted that it was not a crime in Switzerland at the time for Havelange, Teixeira and then-South American football confederation president Nicolas Leoz to accept bribes between 1992 and May 2000.
“However, it is clear that Havelange and Teixeira, as football officials, should not have accepted any bribe money, and should have had to pay it back since the money was in connection with the exploitation of media rights,” the judgment said.
Eckert said their conduct pre-dated FIFA’s current ethics code, which came into force last year – after Teixeira resigned from football, including as head of the Brazilian organising committee for the 2014 World Cup and as a FIFA board member.
Leoz also resigned last week, citing health reasons, days after Havelange also secretly walked away.
“Any further steps or suggestions are superfluous,” Eckert concluded. “No further proceedings related to the ISL matter are warranted against any other football official.”
Eckert based his judgments on a 4,000-page investigation report submitted by FIFA ethics prosecutor Michael J. Garcia.
Havelange and Teixeira were previously formally identified last July for taking bribes, when Switzerland’s Supreme Court ruled that a Swiss criminal prosecutor’s report on the case should be made public.
FIFA, Havelange and Teixeira had tried to suppress it.
Havelange also resigned in 2011 as a member of the International OIympic Committee, to avoid sanctions stemming from his role in the ISL case.
ISL was created in the 1970s and helped fuel the boom in sports marketing, while also working closely with the IOC.
Swiss prosecutor Thomas Hildbrand wrote in a case dossier that the agency funneled money through Liechtenstein to pay commissions to officials ”favored in order to promote sports policies and economic goals.”
Six former ISL executives stood trial in 2008 and were cleared of charges relating to fraud.
In court evidence, Leoz was identified as having received two ISL payments totaling $130,000 in 2000. The BBC later reported that he received further payments of at least $600,000.
Payments attributed to accounts connected to Havelange and Teixeira totaled almost $22 million from 1992-2000
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Guinness gets certificate for World’s largest football jersey
MAKER of premium brand, Guinness Nigeria Plc have officially received certificate from Guinness World Records for creating the largest football jersey in the world.
The framed certificate made available to Sport Extra reads: The largest football shirt measures 73.55m (241ft 3 in) wide and 89.67m (294ft 2in) long and was created Guinness Nigeria Plc (Nigeria) in Surulere, Lagos Nigeria, on 25 January, 2013.
The largest jersey was unveiled at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere Lagos and the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt in a bid to galvanize the support of millions of fans for the Super Eagles in their quest for victory at the city of Madiba.
According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Seni Adetu, it is a case for double joy for the nation.
“We are elated as a company to have greatly contributed to these successes, putting Nigeria on the world map once again with this feat. Initially, there were doubts as to whether we had broken the world record when we started out. However, today, I am proud to present to you the Guinness World Record Certificate for the largest football shirt in the world proving that we actually did break the world record” Adetu announced.
While the jersey was laid out during the AFCON tournament, over 40,000 fans inscribed their goodwill messages, wishing the Super Eagles victory at every stage of the tournament and Adetu believes it was a great motivating factor for the team.
“As the Super Eagles played at the tournament in South Africa, they were spurred on by the goodwill messages inscribed on the largest jersey by thousands of fans back home in Nigeria. It also raised the team’s morale and they realised they are made of more with the support of their fans back home. Here we are after 19 years of exploit, the Super Eagles are once again, African champions” Adetu enthused.
The Marketing and Innovation Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Austin Ufomba in his remark appreciated the support of the government for this achievement.
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Five killed in Taraba religious crisis
A football pitch argument between two amateur players yesterday sparked an orgy of religious violence in Wukari, Taraba State, leaving at least five people dead.
Many others were injured and properties estimated at millions of naira destroyed as Christians and Muslims took on one another.
The Police immediately swung into action to quell the violence and prevent a spill over to the neighbouring states of Benue and Nasarawa.
It was not immediately clear what the argument between the two footballers was all about during a practice session.
Eye-witnesses only said one of the players, a Muslim, pulled a gun and shot the other, a Christian.
Within minutes hell was let loose and the area was engulfed in violence.
News of the incident soon spread to other parts of the town.
Zealots on both sides were said to have capitalised on the confusion to perpetrate mayhem.
An eye-witness said: “The two players disagreed over a football related issue during play. One of them felt too aggrieved. He dashed home and returned with a gun with which he shot the other footballer.”
Yesterday’s violence came barely three months after a clash between Muslims and Christians in Ibi Local Government Area of the state left over 10 people dead, with churches, mosques, commercial and residential buildings torched.
Police Spokesman Amos Olaoye confirmed the crisis, saying heavily armed policemen were drafted to the crisis zone to maintain law and order.
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Lam-Adesina charges Eagles to win
Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dapo Lam-Adesina has charged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to go all out against the Stallions of Burkina Faso and ensure they win the African Cup of Nations’ trophy on Sunday.
The Commissioner said this in his goodwill message to the Super Eagles of Nigeria who are due to play Burkina Faso in the final of the 29th edition of the African Cup of Nations.
He said the good people of Oyo State like other sports-loving Nigerians are earnestly praying for the success of the team in the match while also congratulating the team for the success recorded so far despite not being considered as favorite.
He charged every member of the team to show the true spirit of Nigeria which has been the driving force and a major contributing factor in reaching the final. Winning the trophy at this time, he said, will be good for the image of the country and serve as encouragement to upcoming footballers.
He particularly praised Coach Stephen Keshi for keeping faith with locally based players who have distinguished themselves.
Lam-Adesina also praised the effort of the technical crew as well as the Nigeria Football Federation for the support given to the team.
He said the present administration in Oyo State is willing to partner with the NFF on Football development in the grassroot which has been one of the cardinal programmes aimed at restoring the lost glory of Sports in Nigeria, while also hoping to see one of the National Teams play their home matches in Oyo State.