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Africa U17 Nations Cup: CAF’s SAMIRA OUNAS bars African scouts but open doors for European scouts to Morocco

Published

5 years ago

March 7, 2021

As the forthcoming Africa U-17 cup of Nations begins in Morocco later this month, Top football scouts across Africa continent are finding it difficult to be given accreditation in order to carry out scouting responsibility as directed by their various employers; in this case, Football clubs.

Reliably, renowned football scouts in Africa who contacted the Head of DGS office for Football and Development of CAF, SAMIRA OUNAS in a bid to officially apply for the tournament’s accreditation were shocked when she expressly told them Confederation of Africa would not permit their ilk’s but preference will be given to European football scouts.

“On the record’’ sources; SAMIRA OUNAS have the gumption to ridicule two of the African scouts who are nationals of Senegal and Benin republic respectively.

“I humbly placed a call to her regarding CAF’S accreditation for interested football scouts and she openly said, we are not making arrangements for anyone coming from Africa except those outside this continent. I even tried to know the rationale behind such an irresponsible decision but she rudely hung up the call along the lines and never picked thereafter’’. Diouf Diara recounted disappointedly

Also sharing his disappointing experience with the DGS office for Football and Development of CAF was Saliu Mohammed, who Bemoaned the unprofessional attitude of SAMIRA OUNAS while describing as unfit to have headed such a vital position in Caf;

“From the stead of a cub scout, I engaged her on phone in respect to getting accreditation for the under 17 tournaments in morocco; she overtly and repeatedly told me African scouts are not going to be allowed to be part of this edition of Caf U-17 championship and implicitly said, her office would only entertain European football scouts.

“What is more insanely annoying was her chutzpah to say African scouts and Football agents are barred from discharging their duties when the event kicks off 13th of March, 2021 but considered giving European scouts accreditation in an African football tourney’’ he lamented.

As a reputable media organization, we gathered Egyptian- SAMIRA OUNAS, has reached curriculum vitae; having worked at different international organizations. This is a lady who studied Taxation, Commerce and International Law in France; however, Her terrible idiosyncrasy while dealing with the issue of diplomacy, makes one question the Racistic resolve by not allowing African scouts and Football agents to be accredited for the African under 17 nations cup in morocco, except European scouts. What is more disgusting and saddening about her decision to irresponsibly restrict African scouts and Football agents is that the same Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), accredited a huge number of African scouts at the just concluded Caf under 20 African cup of nations in Mauritania.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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