Sports
NOC AGM: All Roads Lead To Bayelsa
It is that time of the year, where the stakeholders of the sport gather to take stock and inventory of how sports and its business has been in the past one calendar year.
The Jolly good ride of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be taking everyone to the fun city of Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, South-South, Nigeria for two nights and three days.
His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa state is extremely excited he has the opportunity to host the AGM of the Olympic family in Nigeria.
According to His Excellency, the Chief Host, “It’s been almost 20years since we hosted the Nigeria Olympic Committee Annual General Meeting and it’s a privilege to be considered to host the most important stakeholders of sports in the country in Bayelsa on 16th December 2021. We will showcase Bayelsa’s hospitality which is full of excitement and attractions plus cultural display to our guests on the eve of the AGM and make their stay worthwhile.
The President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Ahmed Gumel is full of praise for His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa state for opening his arms to welcome and accommodate the Olympic family at this period of the year.
As we look forward to a successful hosting and fruitful deliberation at the AGM, we wish all safe journey and journey mercies.
Welcome to Bayelsa State, the Glory of all Lands.
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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