Category: Sports

Rabat - Projects linked to the organization by Morocco, alongside Spain and Portugal, of the 2030 World Cup have been launched in all sectors, in accordance with the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, said, on Thursday in Rabat, Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa. Morocco will endeavor to ensure the success of this major event, Lekjaa told the press at the end of an enlarged meeting, held as part of the preparations for the 2030 World Cup. It was devoted to the coordination between all the ministerial departments concerned, the setting up of a unified system of joint action and the implementation of an integrated roadmap, based on the proper fulfillment of commitments, the convergence of initiatives and interventions and the harmonization of their programming, within the framework of the complementary roles of the various stakeholders, so as to guarantee the necessary conditions and means enabling the Kingdom to succeed in the challenge of co-hosting this global sporting event with Spain and Portugal. This edition will be, as intended by His Majesty the King, the best in the history of this event, added Lekjaa, noting that this enlarged meeting is part of a series of similar ones held since the announcement by the Sovereign to the Moroccan people of the good news of the organization by Morocco of the 2030 World Cup jointly with Spain and Portugal. The Minister noted that the meeting was an opportunity to take stock of the work accomplished to date and to discuss the actions to be taken as soon as possible, stressing that the joint bid will be presented before the end of July and will be voted on by FIFA before the end of the year. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports Development, Mrs Tinuke Watti has charged administrative and executive officers in the ministry on the need for professionalism and enhanced productivity. Watti made the call on Tuesday in Abuja, at a sensitization workshop for administrative and executive officers in the ministry on professionalism on human resource management in the Federal Civil Service. She underscored the need for ministry officials to do more in obtaining the necessary professional certifications from approved professional bodies in order to enhance efficient service delivery. 'Henceforth Administrative officers are required to obtain professional certifications from relevant and approved professional bodies for progression in the Service. 'Specifically, possession of such certifications shall be one of the conditions for promotion from GL 13-GL 14., in addition to other criteria prescribed in the Public Service Rules and Guidelines on Appointment, Promotion and Discipline,' she sa id. Watti, who stressed the importance of training and capacity building, said the workshop was part of the reforms by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan aimed at efficient service delivery. She expressed optimism that the workshop would go a long way in equipping and enhancing the capacity of officials in line with international best practices. Earlier, Mrs Modupe Bankole, Managing Consultant, Diadems Global Support Services, the lead Resource person at the workshop stressed the importance of professionalism and certification to enhance productivity. 'Given the different reforms from the Head of Service, it is important that competent officials manage human management. 'The staff needs to know what competences they need to acquire, what skills and how they can give their best in the civil service,' she said. Bankole said that given the strategic importance of the sports sector, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the mandate of the ministry was realised. She sa id that accredited professional bodies were also part of the workshop to ensure continuous capacity building, while Diadems will continue to work with the ministry to track deliveries. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that professional bodies at the workshop included the Chartered Institute of Human Resources, and Strategic Management (CIHRM) and Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria. Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Hague - In a strategic move aiming to harness talent and expertise, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB, Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond) has appointed Moroccan coach Adil Ramzi as the new head coach of the Dutch Under-18 team. The announcement was made on Monday, marking a significant development in Dutch football management. Ramzi, a former Moroccan international, is set to commence his tenure on July 1st, as confirmed by the KNVB through their official statement on the social platform X. Expressing his gratitude and excitement for the opportunity, Ramzi stated, "I am proud to have received the necessary trust to work with the greatest talents of the Netherlands," underscoring his commitment to the role. Prior to this appointment, Ramzi had honed his coaching skills within the Dutch football landscape, notably serving as an assistant coach for the A team at PSV Eindhoven under the guidance of Mark Van Bommel. Additionally, he held the position of coach for the B team, demonstrating his mult ifaceted approach to coaching and player development. Ramzi's journey in football leadership also led him briefly to Morocco's Wydad Casablanca, where he assumed managerial responsibilities before his departure in December 2023. The selection of Ramzi reflects KNVB's strategic vision to diversify coaching staff and tap into international talent pools. With his wealth of experience and expertise, Ramzi is poised to play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of Dutch football stars. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Rabat - Moroccan club Renaissance Sportive of Berkane have qualified for the final of the African Football Confederation (CAF) Cup, following the withdrawal of Algeria's USM Alger. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) congratulated RS Berkane on their qualification in a message published on its website. 'The President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa, congratulates the Renaissance Sportive of Berkane, on behalf of the FRMF Board of Directors, following their qualification for the final of the 2023-2024 CAF Cup, after the USM Alger club forfeited the game, this Sunday at the Berkane Municipal Stadium,' wrote the FRMF. USM Alger withdrew from Sunday evening's CAF Cup semi-final second leg against RS Berkane, scheduled for 8.00 pm at Berkane Municipal Stadium. In the final of the CAF Cup, RS Berkane will face Egyptian club Zamalek, semi-final winners over Dreams FC of Ghana. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Ongos Ladies Football Club won their fifth straight league title over the weekend with spectacular goals over Okahandja FC and Namib Daughters on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. A magnificent 14-goal thriller over Okahandja (8-1) and Namib Daughters (6-0) was enough for the team formerly known as Tura Magic Ladies to secure the league in style, and as winners, Ongos Ladies will walk away with a whopping N.dollars 250 000. Ongos Ladies have scored 88 goals and won 17 of 18 games on their way to the title. They have yet to experience defeat. Last year, First National Bank of Namibia (FNB) showed steadfast support by offering a three-season championship sponsorship of the Women's Super League valued at N.dollars 7.5 million (N.dolars 2.5 million annually). With only two games remaining in the league for certain clubs, the relegation battle is heating up as Okahandja and NUST Babes prepare to fight for their survival next weekend. However, NUST Babes and Okahandja will be demoted if Ramblers collect maxi mum points in all of their remaining encounters, putting them in a strong position to escape relegation. The struggle for second place continues, with Beauties FC on 39 points and Galz and Goals on 36 points, with a three-point gap between them. On Saturday, NUST Babes were thrashed by Ramblers Women by four goals to zero, exacerbating their relegation fears, while Khomas NamPol drew one-all with the tenacious UNAM Bokkies. V-Power Angels upset Namib Daughters 1-0 on Saturday, with Ongos Ladies thumping Okahandja 8-1, and second-placed Beauties losing 3-2 to Galz and Goals in a five-goal thriller. Arrows Ladies secured three crucial points with a 1-0 victory over Ongwediva Queens. On Sunday, NUST Babes defeated Ongwediva Queens 2-1, Khomas NamPol upset Galz and Goals 1-0, and V-Power Angels lost 3-2 to Okahandja. Ongos Ladies pulled another upset by scoring six unanswered goals as they defeated Namib Daughters. Beauties and UNAM Bokkies drew 1-1, while Arrows Ladies fell 4-2 against Ramblers Women. S ource: The Namibia Press Agency

The fight for a spot in the Debmarine Namibia Premier League is coming down to the wire, with four clubs vying for the top spot in the Southern Stream First Division (SSFD) with just five games left. Namibian Correctional Service FC presently leads the league after a string of triumphs, including a hard-fought 2-1 win against Davos in Windhoek on Sunday and a 4-1 victory over relegation-threatened Deutscher Turn-und Sportverein (DTS) on Saturday. Blue Boys, a former Premier League contender, put considerable pressure on them for the league crown after winning back-to-back games against Black Africa (4-1) on Saturday and defeating Ramblers 1-0 on Sunday to cut the gap to NCS to two points. Eleven Arrows are not far behind, trailing by 10 points to league leaders on 34 points, while Mariental Football Club is in fourth place with 32. Anything is plausible now that the championship title is on the line, and any missteps by any of the top four teams might cost them the league over their opponents. However, Eleven Arrows failed to gather maximum points, collecting just four out of a potential six, reducing their chances of victory. The coastal outfit crushed Black Africa 4-0 on Sunday after drawing 1-1 with Ramblers on Saturday. Mariental improved their title chances by defeating Oranjemund FC 3-1 on Saturday and Try Again 1-0 on Sunday. Other Saturday outcomes featured two draws: Try Again and Dates Eleven drew 0-0, while Davos and Latinos tied 1-1. Latinos hammered DTS 5-1 on Sunday, adding to their relegation woes, while Oranjemund, who are firmly in the relegation zone, suffered another setback, this time against Dates Eleven 3-1. At the other end of the log standings, only five points separate ninth-placed Black Africa and 12th-placed DTS, leaving four clubs vying for a spot in the top stream division. Source: The Namibia Press Agency