Latest news with #sportsministry
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Sri Lanka ex-ministers jailed up to 25 years for corruption
A Sri Lankan court sentenced on Thursday two former ministers from the government of deposed president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to decades in prison in a landmark corruption case. Ex-sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former trade minister Anil Fernando were found guilty by the Colombo High Court of misappropriating 53 million rupees ($177,000) of state funds. The pair were also fined $2,000 for using government money to donate board games -- including 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts sets -- in an attempt to boost the failed 2015 re-election bid of Gotabaya's elder brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa. Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years in jail. Fernando was sentenced to 25 years. Aluthgamage is now the most senior member of a Rajapaksa-led cabinet to be successfully prosecuted for corruption. The cases against both men were initiated six years ago, when the Rajapaksa brothers were out of power, but the case had been making slow headway until a new government took office last year. Aluthgamage also faces a separate investigation into allegations that he authorised in 2022 a payment of $6.09 million to a Chinese supplier for a fertilizer shipment that was never delivered. He caused a stir in 2020 when he accused Sri Lanka's national cricket team of rigging the 2011 World Cup final in favour of India, triggering an investigation that ultimately failed to substantiate his claims. Aluthgamage, who served as sports minister from 2010 to 2015, said in June 2020 that he had "not wanted to disclose" the alleged match-fixing plot at the time. "In 2011, we were supposed to win, but we sold the match. I feel I can talk about it now. I am not implicating players, but certain sections were involved," he said. Sri Lanka lost the final at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium by six wickets. Both Indian and Sri Lankan players have strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Free Malaysia Today
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Fifa lifts Congo Republic's suspension
Fifa had set a number of conditions for lifting the suspension. (AFP pic) ZURICH : Fifa has lifted its suspension on the Republic of Congo's football federation three months after it was imposed over third-party interference in its affairs amid a dispute with the country's sports ministry, the global governing body said yesterday. The long-standing dispute had resulted in the closure of some sports facilities and the Congo federation's headquarters. Days after the suspension was introduced, sports minister Hugues Ngouelondele had said they would get in touch with Fifa to discuss lifting the ban. Fifa, which had set a number of conditions for lifting the suspension including the return of full control of the federation's headquarters to Fecofoot, said the requested conditions had been met. Witness football history in Malaysia as Manchester United take on the Asean All-Stars – it's the clash you can't afford to miss. Book your seat now at before they're gone!
Reuters
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
FIFA lifts Congo Republic's suspension
May 15 (Reuters) - FIFA has lifted its suspension on the Republic of Congo's soccer federation three months after it was imposed over third-party interference in its affairs amid a dispute with the country's sports ministry, the global governing body said on Wednesday. The long-standing dispute had resulted in the closure of some sports facilities and the Congo federation's headquarters. Days after the suspension was introduced, sports minister Hugues Ngouelondele had said they would get in touch with FIFA to discuss lifting the ban. FIFA, which had set a number of conditions for lifting the suspension including the return of full control of the federation's headquarters to FECOFOOT, said the requested conditions had been met.
CNA
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
FIFA lifts Congo Republic's suspension
FIFA has lifted its suspension on the Republic of Congo's soccer federation three months after it was imposed over third-party interference in its affairs amid a dispute with the country's sports ministry, the global governing body said on Wednesday. The long-standing dispute had resulted in the closure of some sports facilities and the Congo federation's headquarters. Days after the suspension was introduced, sports minister Hugues Ngouelondele had said they would get in touch with FIFA to discuss lifting the ban. FIFA, which had set a number of conditions for lifting the suspension including the return of full control of the federation's headquarters to FECOFOOT, said the requested conditions had been met.
