Sports
Sports Committee Pays Tribute to Hon. Ekene Adams One Year After Passing
Joel Ajayi
The House of Representatives Committee on Sports has paid glowing tribute to the late Hon. Ekene Adams, former Chairman of the Committee, on the first anniversary of his passing.
Born 16th April 1985, Hon. Adams, a Nigerian politician from Labour Party and respected sports administrator and lawmaker, died on July 16, 2024. One year on, his impact continues to be felt across Nigeria’s sporting community and legislative landscape.
Led by the current Chairman, Hon. Kabiru Amadu, the House Committee paused to honour Adams’ memory and legacy, describing him as a committed and visionary leader whose efforts helped lay a solid foundation for sports policy and development nationwide.
In his tribute, Hon. Amadu said: “Honourable Ekene Adams was a passionate and selfless leader whose dedication to Nigerian sports was unwavering. He championed the welfare of athletes, advocated for better infrastructure, and promoted youth empowerment through sports. His absence is still deeply felt by all who worked with him.”
Amadu also offered prayers for the family Adams left behind, expressing hope that they continue to find strength in the legacy he built. “His memory lives on not only in our hearts but also in the reforms and progress he inspired. We will continue to uphold the principles and values he stood for.”
The Committee further described Adams’ leadership as bold, innovative, and service-driven—qualities that earned him admiration across political and sporting circles. They reaffirmed their commitment to building on the vision he left behind.
“Today, as we reflect on his life and service, we are reminded of the powerful impact one individual can make. Hon. Ekene Adams’ work continues to inspire us,” the statement concluded.
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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