Sports

Nigeria records major victory as Silas Agara wins continental seat in Abuja

Published

2 months ago

July 23, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

President of the Nigeria Karate Federation, Hon. Silas Agara, has been elected as the 4th Vice President of the Africa Karate Federation (UFAK), marking a significant milestone for Nigeria in continental sports leadership.

Agara emerged victorious during the General Assembly of UFAK held on Wednesday in Abuja, defeating his Congolese opponent, Mr. Freddy Kombo, with 20 votes to 11 in a keenly contested election.

The event, which attracted delegates from across the continent, also witnessed the physical presence of the President of the World Karate Federation (WKF), Antonio Espinós, underscoring its importance.

In other outcomes, incumbent UFAK President, Souleymane Gaye, was re-elected after defeating Morocco’s Mohammed Mouktabil. Bashir Cherish, Saheed Nasri, and Sonny Pillar were elected as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice Presidents respectively, while Mr. Bertin Dongmo was elected unopposed as Secretary-General.

Speaking after his victory, Hon. Agara dedicated the win to Nigeria and the entire West African region, pledging to use his new role to promote the growth and development of karate across the continent.

“This is a victory for Nigeria, for West Africa, and for all karate practitioners in the region,” he said. “It is a call to action—to do more, to support the development of the sport, and to create more opportunities for our youth through karate.”

Reflecting on his campaign, Agara stated that his achievements in Nigeria helped earn the confidence of voters.

“I simply presented what we have accomplished back home—our efforts, programmes, and results—and allowed the delegates to decide. I’m glad they recognised our work and gave Nigeria this honour.”

Agara also reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Sports Commission, to strengthen grassroots karate and deliver impactful, well-aligned programmes.

“We’ve always maintained a collaborative relationship with the Sports Commission. We don’t run programmes in isolation—we align with national development priorities. With their continued support, we can raise the standard of karate and other sports in Nigeria.”

Speaking on the ongoing African Karate Championship taking place in Abuja, Agara said the event is poised to deliver a high-impact continental showdown.

He acknowledged the tough competition, particularly from countries like Morocco and Egypt, who have come fully prepared.

“Morocco is here with 10 top-ranked athletes and Egypt with five. The level of competition is world-class—there are no underdogs. This is a defining moment for the growth of sports in Africa.”

No fewer than 1,000 athletes have arrived in Abuja for the 2025 African Karate Championship, which is scheduled to run from July 21 to July 28.

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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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