Sports

Speaker Calls on Lawmakers to Invest Constituency Funds in Sports Development

Published

2 months ago

July 23, 2025

…As House Committee on Sports Distributes Sporting Kits 360 constituency

Joel Ajayi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has urged lawmakers to prioritize sports development by channeling their constituency allowances into grassroots sports initiatives, rather than projects that are often abandoned.

He made this call on Wednesday in Abuja during the official flag-off and distribution of sporting materials to members of the House Committee on Sports.

The initiative, a collaborative effort between the House Committee on Sports and the National Sports Commission, aims to promote grassroots participation and talent discovery across Nigeria’s 360 constituencies.

The materials distributed included football boots, jerseys, and training kits, intended to support youth development in primary and secondary schools as well as community-level sports.
Hon. Abbas stressed the importance of grassroots investment, describing it as the bedrock of national sports success.

“It is unacceptable that a country of over 230 million people continues to return from international competitions without medals, while smaller nations outperform us.”

“The only way to restore Nigeria’s sporting glory is to go back to the basics—back to grassroots and developmental sports.”

He encouraged lawmakers to rethink how constituency funds are spent: “Instead of building skills acquisition centres that may later be abandoned, let us invest in sports infrastructure and programmes at the community level. Sports has the power to engage our youth positively and unlock their potential.”

The Speaker also commended the House Committee on Sports, led by Hon. Kabir Amadu (Mai Palace), for what he described as outstanding performance in a short period.

“This is the first time I am seeing a Sports Committee truly living up to expectations. In just six months, they have set an example that other committees should emulate,” Abbas remarked. “I am elated to see such capable and committed members working for the good of the country.”

He concluded by pledging greater support from the House of Representatives for the continued growth and development of sports in Nigeria.

In his remarks, Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabir Amadu, emphasized that the kit distribution across all constituencies is a deliberate step toward strengthening grassroots sports.

“Every constituency will benefit. Members will take these materials back home to promote youth engagement and sporting talent at the grassroots level,” he said.

“We cannot continue to sit and complain about the decline in grassroots sports without taking action. As a House, we’ve chosen to lead by example and initiate meaningful programmes others can build on.”

Hon. Amadu also revealed plans to construct mini-stadiums across the country, which will complement the distribution of kits and further boost grassroots development.

“Our next project involves constructing mini-stadiums nationwide. This, combined with the kits, will create sustainable opportunities for community sports,” he concluded.

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Sports

FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification

Published

14 hours ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

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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