Dr Adamu confirmed as WAFU boss

Abidjan, April 22, GNA - Dr Amos Adamu, Director General of the National Sports Commission of Nigeria officially took over as the new president of the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) on Monday during the 11th Ordinary General Assembly of the zonal union.

The Nigerian takes over from Jacques Anouma, whose 4-year tenure officially ended on April 17, 2008. In his handing over address, Anouma, who also heads the Ivorian

Football Federation (IFF) urged all members of the union to work hand in hand to achieve the common developmental goals of football in West Africa.

Anouma, also a member of the FIFA Executive Committee recalled that WAFU had seen eight presidents since 1975 and each assumed office after a crisis.

"This means that a new president every four years and this hasn't helped our course. We need to stop all this infighting and remain focused for the better of the game." Dagobert Banzio, Ivorian Minister of Sports reckoned that WAFU was a vital tool for Africa football, hence the need for it to be run smoothly.

He said West Africa had been a dominant force in African football despite the fact that it consisted of only 16 of the 53 countries on the continent.

"During the World Cup in Germany, there were three team from West Africa; Ghana, Togo and Cote d'Ivoire. "And for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, West Africa has two of Africa's three representatives; Nigeria and Cameroon."

It will be recalled the CAF Executive Committee at its meeting on June 5, 2007 in Cairo, Egypt ruled that Mr Anouma should hand over the presidency to Dr Adamu when his tenure expired in April 2008. This was after the Nigerian had been elected president during the 1Oth Ordinary General Assembly held in Accra in April 2007, which led to an impasse between the two officials.

Dr Adam and his elected Executives will serve a four year term. Meanwhile, the 11th General Assembly of WAFU, which began on Tuesday, April 21 ends on Thursday, April 23, 2008. Ghana is represented by Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, Secretary General Kofi Nsiah and Sly Tetteh, President of Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals.