Sports
10 Days Left: One Stadium, One Continent: Abeokuta Set to Host African U18/U20 Tourney
Joel Ajayi
10 days left, and all eyes are on Abeokuta, Ogun State, as the city braces to host the continent’s most promising young athletes at the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships.
From July 16 to 20, the historic MKO Abiola Stadium will serve as the single venue for all events — a unified arena where talent, ambition, and national pride will collide in a celebration of African excellence.
This edition is already breaking records before the first race begins. Thus far, a total of 43 countries have confirmed participation, with 937 athletes and officials set to compete.
The figure marks one of the highest turnout in the competition’s history and reflects the growing significance of youth athletics as a cornerstone for long-term sports development across the continent.
In preparation for the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, the MKO Abiola Stadium had undergone significant renovations, including track resurfacing, improved facilities for athletes and media, and infrastructure upgrades to meet global standards.
The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) endorsed the venue following thorough inspections, applauding the commitment shown by State and national authoritie.
In line with the vision of the National Sports Commission (NSC) sponsors and partner have remained key in the planning of the Championship. They include the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Bank of Industry (BOI), and LEDCO Limited.
The NSC is reinforcing its belief that sport is a powerful tool for youth engagement, national branding, and socioeconomic development.
Final preparations are underway, with hotels across Abeokuta filling up and local volunteers, security teams, and medical personnel on standby to support smooth operations throughout the event. Organizers have assured the public and participating nations that Abeokuta is fully ready to deliver a successful, secure, and inspiring championship.
With the countdown nearing single digits, excitement is building across the continent. One stadium, one city, and one shared dream — the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships promise to be a landmark event in the future of African sport.
Sports
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums
Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.
Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.
In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”
He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.
“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”
Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT
Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.
“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.
Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”
The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.
He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development
As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.
“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”
Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.
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