Sports
5 Days to Go: Dare, Gumel, Ogba, Other Top Dignitaries to Storm Abeokuta for Athletics Championships
With just five days to go, the stage is set and the excitement is palpable as Abeokuta prepares to welcome Africa’s future athletics stars for the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championship.
The prestigious continental competition, which will be hosted at the iconic MKO Abiola Stadium, is drawing in a lineup of eminent dignitaries and leaders from across Nigeria.
Leading the high-profile delegation to Abeokuta are former Minister of Sports, and Special Adviser to the President, Media & Public Communication, Hon. Sunday Dare, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel, 2nd Vice President of the NOC, Chief Solomon Ogba, as well as representatives from Nigeria’s top security agencies.
The list includes the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. Also expected is the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, underscoring the event’s national importance.
The championship is made possible through the strong backing of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and its key partners. Organizations such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Bank of Industry (BOI), LEDCO Limited, and MTN Nigeria have all played instrumental roles in making the championship a reality, demonstrating deep commitment to the growth of sports in Nigeria and across Africa.
Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, emphasized the importance of the event, saying:
“This championship is not just about medals; it’s about rewriting our story in African athletics. With the calibre of young talents coming in, the next Mary Onyali, Deji Aliu, Falilat Ogunkoya, or Olusoji Fasuba may just be stepping onto the track in Abeokuta. The coast is clear—Nigeria is ready.”
Over the decades, Nigerian athletics legends like Mary Onyali, Deji Aliu, Yusuf Alli, Olusoji Fasuba, Falilat Ogunkoya, and Gabriel Okon have left their mark on the global stage.
The 2025 African U18/U20 Championship represents a new era that promises to unearth the next generation of stars destined to follow in their footsteps.
More than 40 countries will be represented, with hundreds of athletes and officials converging in Nigeria for a week of competition, camaraderie, and cultural exchange.
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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