Sports
UK High Commission Donates Kits to Nigeria Rugby Football Federation
By Joel Ajayi
In a move aimed at promoting the game of rugby in Nigeria, the British High Commission has donated rugby kits to the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF). The donation, which includes over 19 cartons of shirts and balls, was presented on Thursday at the Media Centre of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Speaking during the presentation, the UK Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, emphasized the potential of Nigerian rugby on the international stage.
“Over 120 countries globally participate in rugby. Why shouldn’t Nigeria be one of the countries climbing up the league tables both in Africa and beyond? I believe Nigeria can achieve that,” she said.
Lever praised the country’s rapid progress in the sport, noting that Nigeria had moved from being ranked 24th in Africa to 8th in less than three years.
“That’s fantastic progress—well done and congratulations! I’m particularly impressed with the efforts to bring more women into the sport. Emerging rugby nations like Nigeria are helping grow the sport, especially among young girls and women,” she added.
She also highlighted rugby’s positive impact on society: “Rugby is famous for its team spirit, shared goals, and strong values like integrity, honesty, and respect. It’s a physically tough game that teaches mental resilience and promotes social inclusion.”
Representing the National Sports Commission Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Maigidasama, Assistant Director in the Ministry of Sports, expressed appreciation to the British High Commission for the generous donation.
“We have over 40 sporting federations in Nigeria, so this support to rugby is a huge plus. We urge the UK Commission to extend similar gestures to other federations. I assure you that these kits and balls will be put to good use for the development of sports,” he said.
In his welcome remarks, the General Manager of the NRFF, Azeez Ladipo, acknowledged the role of SOS Kit Aid, a UK-based organization renowned for supporting sports teams globally.
“This journey started in March 2024, when we applied to SOS Kit Aid. Today, through the support of the British High Commission, those kits have arrived in Nigeria via diplomatic means, with no cost to the NRFF. That’s something we’re truly grateful for.”
Ladipo also highlighted the progress of Nigerian rugby under the leadership of Dr. Ademola Are, which includes: Climbing from 24th to 8th in Africa’s rugby rankings.
Launching the Rugby Rising Play Programme, a girls-only initiative for teenage girls aged 10 to 18 across 15 states. Hiring Steve Lewis, a two-time USA Coach of the Year, as Nigeria’s national rugby coach.
Winning the President’s Cup against Ghana.Reviving the women’s rugby programme;Re-admittance into the National Institute of Sports.
He concluded by reaffirming the federation’s commitment to growing rugby across the nation and thanked all partners involved.
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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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