Sports
2 Days to Go: Excitement Reaches Fever Pitch as Enugu City International Marathon Draws Near
…World Press scheduled to hold on Friday
Joel Ajayi
With just two days to go, anticipation is building across the country as the Enugu City International Marathon gears up to take center stage this Saturday, May 3rd.
Set against the scenic backdrop of one of Nigeria’s most vibrant cities, the marathon promises to be a landmark event in the nation’s sporting calendar.
In the lead-up to the big day, a World Press Conference is scheduled for Friday evening, where organizers, sponsors, and key stakeholders will address the media on the logistics, expectations, and vision of the marathon. The press conference will also set the tone for the race and offer insights into Enugu’s broader sports tourism landscape.
The Coal City is already buzzing with excitement as final preparations are made for what is expected to be a spectacular showcase of athleticism, culture, and community spirit.
Thousands of spectators and participants are expected to converge on Enugu to witness and take part in the prestigious race, which features two competitive categories: a 10km race and a full 42km marathon.
The 10km race will begin at the Eastern Nigerian Medical Centre, while the 42km marathon will kick off from Shoprite, as both races will have their finish line at the historic Okpara Square. These routes will not only test endurance but also highlight the beauty and topography of Enugu.
Among those expected in attendance are the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Peter Mbah; Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko; NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade; Nollywood legend, Nkem Owoh, fondly known as “Osuofia” amongst others.
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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