By Abdulgafar Oladimeji

World football governing body FIFA is in a stalemate in finding solutions to the lingering crisis between Israel Football Association , IFA versus Palestine Football Federation . PFF.

IFA was affiliated to FIFA in 1948.

PFF had a Provisional affiliation to FIFA in 31 May 1995, became full member in 1998

FIFA has continued to hold its breath from taking a definite decision on the matter involving both football governing bodies.

Palestine Football Federation had asked FIFA to suspend or expel of Israel FA over the allegations bordering on the restrictions of the movement of players between Gaza and the West Bank.

PFF also alleged that Israel was hindering the Palestine federation from gaining access to the importation of football equipments.

Sepp Blatter and Jacques Rogge, then presidents of FIFA and the International Olympic Committee had travelled to the region in efforts to find solutions to the dispute, this moves failed to yield the much anticipated solutions to the dispute.

In May 2024 at the FIFA Congress, meeting held in Bangkok, PFF asked for a vote on a proposal to exclude Israel, the congress then referred the matter to FIFA Council.

FIFA has continued to hope and search for mechanism through which the dispute could be resolved, considering that both federations are its affiliate that are entitled to enjoy equal treatments in all football matters.

The autumn council meeting, in Zurich, resorted to the implementation of an “independent legal analysis” by allowing for the governance, audit and compliance committee for an investigations into PFF’s allegations of discrimination in breach of FIFA regulations.

Also there were claims on the alleged participation by clubs from Palestinian territories in competitions organized by Israel.

Speaking on the dispute , Infantino said: “The FIFA Council has implemented due diligence on this very sensitive matter and, based on a thorough assessment, we have followed the advice of the independent experts.

“The ongoing violence in the region confirms that, above all considerations, and as stated at the 74th FIFA Congress, we need peace. As we remain extremely shocked by what is happening, and our thoughts are with those who are suffering, we urge all parties to restore peace to the region with immediate effect.” Infantino said .

The Kano Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN, organised a one-day workshop for Kano journalists on the role of reporting sporting activites.

The one-day workshop was held in Kano on Thursday, at Kano State Sports Commission, to inhence the importance of reporting on sports, which is key to maintaining the quality of delivery of sports journalists.

The General Manager of Kano Pillars FC, Abba Galadima, emphasized the importance of factual reporting by sports journalists.

Speaking at the ceremony, the National President of SWAN, Benjamin Isaiah, said sports journalism is factual, and calls for standing up to the facts about reporting sports events.

Represented by the SWAN National Ex–officio, Lurwanu Idris Malikawa, urged sports journalism to be factual while reporting sports.

Also, the lecturer at the Khalifa Isyka Rabiu University Kano, KHAIRUN, Dr. Yusuf Datti presented his paper on “Understanding tennis rules, surfaces and match technics.

In his remark, Abdulgafar Oladimeji, a Sports Veteran, called for journalists to always be mindful of the sports sector, urged them to focus on the investigation of sports activities.

The workshop was attended by the different sports presenters in Kano, commended SWAN leadership under Zahradden Saleh for organizing the workshop, acknowledging the support and cooperation.

The Kano State contingent at the ongoing 8th Edition of the National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, has made a special appeal to Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf for assistance.

A source within the entourage, speaking off the record, revealed that the State Sports Commission had earlier submitted a proposal through the office of the Secretary to the State Governor to expedite the release of funds.

Despite the release of the funds, the Commission has not yet received the money to distribute to the team members.

The source lamented that during the previous edition of the Games, the state contingent, which had a larger team, was allocated more funds than this time around, even though the local currency has depreciated and inflation is on the rise.

The contingent also called on the current administration, through the Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Mustapha Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, to address the issue promptly to protect the state’s reputation as a leader in various fields.

The athletes fear that if the situation is not urgently addressed, Kano may lose the opportunity to win medals, as they have occasionally arrived late to game venues.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to contact the Commissioner or his representative regarding the issue have been unsuccessful.