Sports
12th CNS Swimming Championships Kick Off in Asaba with Thrilling Performances
By Joel Ajayi
The 12th edition of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Swimming Championships began in Asaba with an exciting display of talent, determination, and national pride, as young swimmers from across Nigeria took to the pool for the prestigious competition.
Day One featured standout performances across several categories including the 50m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 200m freestyle, and the 4x100m mixed freestyle relay.
In the Girls 13–15 50m Breaststroke, Ibidapo Oluwatofunmi claimed gold with a time of 38.41 seconds, edging out Lucky Aiyemi (38.96) and Ebigide Success (41.03). The Boys category saw Megbodo Teminijesu dominate with 33.64 seconds, followed by Tissa Precious (35.28) and Joshua Opute (33.64, tied).
In the 50m Freestyle (Girls 12 & Under), Osogbo Mirabel came out on top in 35.09 seconds, trailed by Momodu Farida (35.81) and Adanna Okoli (44.84).
The Girls 400m Freestyle (13–15) was a repeat triumph for Oluwatofunmi, clocking 5:33.90. Gift Obodo (6:10.65) and New Year Gift (6:12.75) completed the podium.
In the Men’s Senior 200m Freestyle, Clinton Opute (Delta State) won with 2:07.15, ahead of Seleakpobo Israel (Navy) at 2:08.67 and Alfred Gisekeme (Bayelsa) at 2:09.65.
The day ended with a thrilling 4x100m Mixed Freestyle Relay (Juniors, 15 & Under), where Jimi Osinowo’s team clinched victory with a time of 4:40.11. Delta State and Team Edo followed in 4:41.81 and 4:47.18, respectively.
The opening day was met with roaring cheers from spectators, family members, and supporters, setting the stage for more action-packed days at the championship
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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