Sports
Nigeria Grabs 24 Gold on Day One of African Armwrestling Championship, as Cameroon and Ghana Follow Behind
The host nation, Nigeria, delivered a dominant performance on Day One of the 14th African Armwrestling Championship in Abuja, capturing a staggering 24 gold medals, alongside 19 silver and 19 bronze, in the Left Hand competition.
The thrilling opening day of action at the M.K.O. Abiola National Stadium witnessed power-packed matchups as Cameroon and Ghana followed closely with 14 gold and 13 gold medals, respectively. With over 400 athletes from 20 countries competing, the championship is living up to its billing as Africa’s biggest showdown in armwrestling history.
Day One Medal Table (Left Hand):
Nigeria: 24 Gold, 19 Silver, 19 Bronze
Cameroon: 14 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
Ghana: 13 Gold, 12 Silver, 1 Bronze
Benin Republic: 12 Gold, 15 Silver, 6 Bronze
Mali: 5 Gold, 2 Silver
Egypt: 4 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
Chad: 1 Gold
Burkina Faso: 1 Silver
Niger: 1 Silver
Togo: 2 Silver, 2 Bronze
Senegal & Mauritius: 1 Bronze each
With the Right Hand contests set for today, all eyes are on the final battles that will determine the overall team champion. The closing ceremony will follow immediately, featuring cultural displays and an official flag handover.
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Hon. Adeboye Adeyinka, praised the athletes’ performances and the professionalism of the event so far
“From the intensity of the contests to the unity we’ve witnessed among nations, this has been a showcase of African strength and excellence. We look forward to a grand finale that will leave lasting memories.”
The President of the African Armwrestling Federation, Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, added:
“African armwrestling has taken a bold step forward. The performances are world-class, and the spirit is inspiring.”
Fans can watch the finals live on YouTube as the continent’s best battle for the remaining medals and qualification slots for the 2025 World Championship in Bulgaria and the 2027 All-African Games in Egypt.
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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