FIFA chief warns corrupt football officials
Kampala: The President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, has warned football association leaders not to use money meant for the sport for their own gain.
The FIFA President made it clear that if there were any football federation leaders who wished to enrich themselves with football money, they would be caught and sanctioned, Xinhua news agency reported.
"No one should think of using football money for his own gains," Infantino said in an interview.
The FIFA chief was in Nouakchott, the largest Saharan city and the Mauritania capital, to attend the seventh FIFA Executive Football Summit.
Infantino said that with the increased funds FIFA was giving to it's member associations, there was also increased evaluation and monitoring.
"We are asking each football federation to sign a contract with FIFA that focuses on accountability. We are monitoring and auditing centrally to make sure funds are used appropriately," he added.
He also stressed on the merits of having FIFA summits all over the world.
Infantino said the summits were organised so that football leaders could thrash issues instead of coming to FIFA congresses to simply endorse things they do not understand.
"I wanted to change the aspect of football associations just endorsing views during FIFA assemblies. Instead (I want them to) come and sit down and discuss football freely together with the FIFA President," he added.
The summit in Mauritania that ended on Sunday discussed a range of issues pertaining to football, with the focus being on the FIFA Forward programme as well as youth and women's competitions.
Launching the series of summits in Paris in November 2016, Infantino, who made it clear that the game could only develop successfully if FIFA cooperates closely and communicates regularly with its 211 member associations.
Since then, 12 strategic summits have been held around the globe in the 2016-2017 series.
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Navy ensures security of Indian commercial ships, oil tankers: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Visakhapatnam (PTI): Pointing out that 95 per cent of the country’s trade, including energy supplies, is conducted through sea, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday noted the Indian Navy's indispensable role in securing commercial shipping lanes and oil tankers against emerging maritime threats.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of INS Taragiri here, the Defence Minister said the Indian Navy continuously maintains its presence in the Indian Ocean--whether it is the Persian Gulf or the Malacca Strait.
Singh’s comments assume significance following the disruption of oil supplies and blockage of oil tankers in view of the prevailing situation in West Asia.
According to him, a strong and capable navy is not an option for the country, but a necessity.
“There are many sensitive points in the sea where our Navy has continuously made its active presence to ensure the smooth supply of goods. Whenever there is a situation of tension there, the Indian Navy has ensured the security of our commercial ships and oil tankers,” he said.
The Indian Navy has proven that it is not only capable of protecting the interests of the country, but if necessary, can also take every step to ensure the safety of its citizens and trade routes around the world, he added.
Citing history, he said without strengthening the naval power, no country can be considered powerful in the right sense and therefore, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks about Viksit Bharat by 2047, the basis of marine power becomes very important.
