Sports
Armwrestling Will Create New Opportunities for Nigerian Youth-Adeyinka
By Joel Ajayi
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2025 African Armwrestling Championship and Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adeboye Adeyinkahas affirmed that armwrestling is emerging as a new platform to empower Nigerian youth and uncover untapped sporting potential.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 14th African Armwrestling Championship and the 7th Para Armwrestling Championship on Saturday in Abuja, Adeyinka emphasized that the sport—once considered obscure—is now offering exciting opportunities for young athletes across the country.
“This championship has unearthed new talents, and I believe Nigeria is ready to compete—and win—at the World Cup level,” Adeyinka said. “We thank God for blessing our country with so many gifted athletes.”
He credited the success of the tournament to the unwavering support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda, he said, is revitalizing the entire Nigerian sports ecosystem.
“This is the first time Nigeria is proudly hosting an international armwrestling championship, and it has been a resounding success. It proves that so-called lesser-known sports like armwrestling can provide real opportunities for our youth,” he stated.
Adeyinka extended his appreciation to the African Armwrestling Federation for granting Nigeria the hosting rights and applauded the media for amplifying awareness of the sport throughout the nation.
“We’re grateful to the African Armwrestling Federation for the trust they placed in us. And we deeply appreciate the role the media has played in putting armwrestling on the map in Nigeria,” he added.
The LOC Chairman stressed that the success of the championship signals a promising future for Nigerian youth who are passionate about sports beyond the mainstream.
“Under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we are witnessing a deliberate push to broaden access and investment in sports, especially at the grassroots level. This will open doors for countless young people to develop and showcase their talents,” he said.
He also praised the Federal Ministry of Sports and the general public for their ongoing belief in sports as a tool for empowerment, unity, and national pride.
“Despite the challenges we encountered, the firm support from Mr. President helped us overcome them. His commitment was consistent, intentional, and transformative,” he noted.
Adeyinka concluded by expressing optimism that the success of the armwrestling championship will lead to more international sporting events being hosted in Nigeria, further expanding opportunities for the nation’s youth.
“Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to everyone who made this historic event a reality,” he said.
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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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