Alhaji Dauda Musa Bangura, former Commissioner of the Independent Media Commission and CEO and Publisher of The Owl Newspaper, has hailed the 46th General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as a remarkable success.
Reflecting on the event, he highlighted its significance in bringing together football leaders from across the continent to discuss pressing issues affecting the growth of the sport in Africa.
In his reflection, Alhaji Dauda praised Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for his exceptional hospitality, noting that the event was masterfully hosted.
He also extended his gratitude to CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and Madam Isha Johansen, Sierra Leone’s former FA President, for inviting him to the prestigious gathering.
He promised that upon returning to Sierra Leone, he will cascade the information gathered at the assembly to ensure that the people of Sierra Leone better understand the dynamics of the event.
The assembly, held at the Skylight Hotel, drew a distinguished crowd, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, and senior officials from various African football federations. The proceedings were led by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, whose dynamic leadership set the tone for a highly productive day.
One of the major highlights of the assembly was the decision to increase the annual subvention to Member Associations from USD 250,000 to USD 400,000.
Dr. Motsepe emphasized the need for revisiting existing regulations to ensure fairness and sportsmanship in African football, while also urging Member Associations to uphold the highest standards of integrity in the administration of the game.
Alhaji Dauda, alongside Joseph S. Jida Kiz-Kamara, Station Manager of Eagle Africa Radio and Media Officer for the National Sports Authority (NSA), was selected to represent Sierra Leone at the event.
Their accreditation was approved after successfully completing the CAF media portal registration process, securing their participation at the influential assembly.
The invitation, facilitated by Isha Johansen, is part of efforts to expose Sierra Leonean journalists to international sporting platforms.
This exposure is expected to provide valuable insights into how such assemblies are conducted, equipping local journalists to report more effectively on key developments in the world of sports.