Latest news with #FGF
CAF
19-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Serhou Guirassy's surprise visit fires up CHAN-bound Guinea
Guinea international star Serhou Guirassy has boosted the morale of the Syli Local squad with a passionate visit to their training base in Kindia, just days before the team departed for Morocco to continue preparations for the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024. The Borussia Dortmund striker, fresh off a spectacular season in which he scored 44 goals, made the stop as part of a broader humanitarian mission in his native country to launch his charity initiative. However, football was clearly at the heart of his agenda as he spent time encouraging the CHAN-bound squad. Guirassy, who also played a starring role for Dortmund during the recent Club World Cup in the United States, urged the locally-based players to seize the opportunity that CHAN offers and give their all to represent the nation proudly on the continental stage. 'Stay focused and give everything on the pitch,' Guirassy told the players. 'This is a huge chance to show what Guinea is made of. Fight with pride and make the nation proud.' The visit was warmly received by the Guinean Football Federation (FGF), with Mr. Mamadou Barry, FGF Vice-President, leading a delegation that welcomed Guirassy and his team. Also present were Mohamed Lamine Nabé and Hassimiou Barry, both members of the Executive Committee, who expressed their appreciation for the striker's show of solidarity. "On behalf of the Executive Committee, we thank Serhou Guirassy for this symbolic visit,' said Ibrahima Blasco Barry. 'It's a powerful gesture that means a lot to the players and the federation.' The Syli Local team, led by head coach Souleymane Camara, departed for Morocco shortly after the visit, where they will hold a six-day training camp from 13 to 19 July at the next phase of their CHAN preparations. The camp will focus on tactical refinements and cohesion before the team travels to Douala, Cameroon, for a mini-tournament. While in Cameroon, Guinea will face two fellow CHAN participants—Burkina Faso on 24 July and the Central African Republic on 28 July—in matches designed to simulate the high-pressure environment of the tournament. Both games will be played behind closed doors. Guinea have been drawn into a tough Group C featuring Algeria, Uganda, South Africa, and Niger, making every preparatory detail vital. Having reached the semi-finals in 2016 and 2020, Camara's side is aiming for a historic breakthrough at CHAN 2024, which kicks off 2 August and runs until 30 August, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Guirassy's visit is expected to leave a lasting impact on the squad, many of whom look up to the Bundesliga star as a symbol of what is possible through hard work, focus, and love for country.
CAF
16-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Guinea line-up Burkina Faso, CAR friendlies ahead of CHAN
Published: Wednesday, 16 July 2025 Guinea have lined up two high-profile friendly matches against Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic (CAR) as part of their final preparations for the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024. The Syli Local are scheduled to face fellow CHAN-bound nations in Douala, Cameroon, in what will be their final competitive tests before the tournament kicks off on 2 August in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The Guinean Football Federation (FGF) confirmed that the matches will take place behind closed doors, with the first friendly scheduled against Burkina Faso on 24 July, followed by a second fixture against the Central African Republic on 28 July. The two opponents represent a serious test for coach Souleymane Camara's side, with both teams also eyeing strong runs at CHAN 2024. Burkina Faso have emerged as one of the rising forces in West African football, while the Central African Republic are determined to impress in their return to the competition. 'These matches are more than just friendlies – they are a benchmark to test our progress and readiness for the tournament,' said head coach Camara. 'We expect two competitive games that will give us the clearest picture yet of our strengths and the areas we still need to improve.' The warm-up games come at the tail end of Guinea's second phase of preparation, following a six-day intensive camp in Morocco that runs from 13 to 19 July. The team arrived in North Africa to focus on tactical drills and build team chemistry before flying to Cameroon for the friendlies. Guinea will be making their fourth appearance at CHAN and have set their sights on a historic final after reaching the semi-finals in 2016 and 2020. They are drawn into a challenging Group C alongside Algeria, Uganda, South Africa, and Niger – a pool that offers no easy fixtures. Camara has placed a strong emphasis on discipline and mental strength throughout the team's buildup, and the two friendlies are expected to play a critical role in finalising his squad selection and preferred starting XI. The CHAN 2024 tournament features national teams made up exclusively of players who play in their domestic leagues, offering a platform to showcase local talent on the continental stage.
CAF
15-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Guinea begin pre-CHAN 2024 training camps in Morocco and Cameroon
Published: Tuesday, 15 July 2025 Guinea have stepped up their preparations for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a two-phase training programme in Morocco and Cameroon as they target a breakthrough performance at the continental tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Syli Local touched down in Morocco on Sunday to begin a six-day intensive camp, which will run from July 13 to 19, before they travel to Douala, Cameroon, for a final warm-up series of friendlies ahead of the competition's August 2 kickoff. Head coach Souleymane Camara and his technical team are overseeing daily double sessions in North Africa as the West African side looks to fine-tune tactics, build fitness, and foster team cohesion. The team is scheduled to play two high-level warm-up matches in Douala against fellow CHAN 2024 participants Burkina Faso (July 24) and Central African Republic (July 28). The Guinean Football Federation (FGF) confirmed that both friendlies, along with all training sessions, will be held behind closed doors to ensure maximum focus and tactical secrecy. This year's tournament marks Guinea's fourth appearance at CHAN, having previously featured in 2016, 2018, and 2020. The Syli Local's best run came in 2016 and 2020, when they reached the semi-finals but fell short of reaching the final – losing to DR Congo and Mali respectively. Coach Camara is hopeful that this carefully structured preparation schedule will give his players the competitive edge required to go all the way. 'We want to break the barrier and reach the final for the first time,' he said ahead of the training camp. Guinea have been drawn in a tricky Group C alongside Algeria, Uganda, South Africa, and Niger – a group that promises high drama and fierce competition. The team's experience, mixed with fresh local talent, could make them a serious threat in the race for continental glory. CHAN 2024 runs from 2 to 30 August across three host nations – Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania – and features 16 of Africa's top national teams composed exclusively of home-based players.
Cision Canada
02-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
OMAN INVESTMENT AUTHORITY REPORTS USD 4.1 BILLION PROFIT FOR 2024, RANKS AMONG TOP 10 GLOBAL SOVEREIGN FUNDS
MUSCAT, Sultanate of Oman, July 2, 2025 /CNW/ -- Oman Investment Authority (OIA), the Sultanate's sovereign wealth fund, closed 2024 with US $53bn in assets under management and a US $4.12bn net profit, enabling a US $2.1bn transfer to the state budget and reinforcing its growing fiscal role. Recognized among the top ten sovereign wealth funds by Global SWF for five-year annualized returns, OIA is harnessing Oman's potential through globally diversified investments in future-focused sectors. OIA invests through three verticals: the National Development Fund (NDF), Future Generations Fund (FGF), and Future Fund Oman (FFO). Spanning over 50 countries, the portfolio remains 63% domestic, with 19.9% in North America, and the rest across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The strategy reduces risk while advancing Oman Vision 2040 priority sectors. NDF deployed US $4.9bn in 2024, surpassing its US $4.4bn target to accelerate domestic projects. Energy dominated at 68% of commitments, including additional funding for Duqm Refinery and launching the 500 MW solar plants. The rest targeted logistics, tourism, mining, and telecoms, with capital allocated to Asyad Container Terminal and reopening copper mines. FGF broadened international exposure through stakes in 13 new funds across AI, healthcare, fintech, and energy transition. As an early investor in xAI, OIA is positioned to capture value from global innovation trends while evaluating its relevance to Oman's economy. Launched in January 2024 to attract foreign investors and scale local champions, the US $5.2bn FFO committed US $865mn to projects including the Sohar PolySilicon plant, set to be the world's largest outside China, and joint funds with IDG Capital and ewpartners targeting ICT, renewables, EV supply chains, and agritech. OIA portfolio companies repaid US $4.7bn in debt, including prepayment US $1.4bn repayment by state energy group OQ. Sovereign guarantees fell to US $4.7bn, nearly half 2023 levels. Six assets were divested, one more than planned, raising fresh capital and broadening local equity participation. The flagship exit was a 25% IPO of OQ Exploration & Production. These reflect efforts to empower the private sector and attract strategic and financial partners. OIA continued supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through startup funding, accelerators, and targeted procurement. In 2024, Small Medium Enterprises accounted for nearly 20% of OIA's supply chain spend, bolstered by ring-fencing and over US $28mn in direct funding. OIA strengthened ties with institutional investors and hosted the largest-ever global gathering of sovereign wealth funds in Muscat. This engagement, along with improved disclosure, earned World Bank recognition and supported upgrades that restored Oman to investment-grade status. Amid energy volatility and geopolitical risk, OIA plans to scale renewables, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals, while trimming hydrocarbons and divesting non-core assets. It also plans to expand co-investment to accelerate knowledge transfer into Omani ventures. With strong 2024 results, deeper capital market access, and a tech-driven project pipeline, OIA is emerging as a key stabilizer of Oman's public finances. The 2024 Annual Report is available at
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Radical asylum change could send small boat crossings plummeting, report claims
A former advisor to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has called on the UK and French governments to copy measures Joe Biden brought in to tackle dangerous migration Asylum centres should be set up in France so people can apply to come to the UK without getting in small boats, a former advisor to Yvette Cooper said last night. A new study calls on the Government to copy the Joe Biden administration's co-operation with Mexico, which drove down unauthorised crossings by 90% for some nationalities. A report published today by the Future Governance Forum (FGF) calls for Britain and France to set up new centres far away from Calais. Beth Gardiner-Smith, a former advisor to the now-Home Secretary, said: 'Currently, there is no way to apply for asylum if you're outside the UK, leading thousands to take irregular and dangerous journeys by small boats instead. Asylum Management Centres, working alongside a future readmissions agreement, would provide the realistic deterrent and incentive needed to prevent people getting into boats.' The report also proposes a cap on numbers, with the UK seeking an agreement with France to return failed asylum seekers on a one-in-one-out basis. It suggests that as relations with Europe are reset, French President Emmanuel Macron might seize the opportunity to stop Calais being a "fortress". Ms Gardiner-Smith continued: 'In its final months in office, the Biden administration demonstrated that this approach could reduce irregular border crossings by some nationalities by over 90%... "The UK-EU reset Summit is an opportunity to seek a similar approach to the Channel.' The FGF argues that processing applications before asylum seekers arrive would give the UK more say in who is allowed in. Its report states: " Keir Starmer may have been more careful to manage public expectations on the Channel than his immediate predecessor, but ultimately the government's performance will be judged on delivery not words. "The question is whether the government is prepared to level with the public on what that means, providing a clear vision for a safer, more controlled system that maintains Britain's commitment to provide asylum to those in need." A Home Office spokesman said: 'To stop the criminal smuggling gangs from undermining our border security, the Prime Minister and Home Secretary have said the UK and France must work closely together to prevent dangerous channel crossings, particularly on vital law enforcement cooperation. 'The French have deployed a new elite unit of officers at the coast and a new specialist intelligence unit. "The Home Secretary has worked with her French counterpart to change their maritime posture allowing them to intervene in shallow waters, and this change should be coming.'
