Sports
Adama Wins Historic Silver for Nigeria at World Aquatics Junior Championships in Romania
Joel Ajayi
The Nigeria Aquatic Federation (NAF) proudly announces a landmark achievement in the nation’s sporting history as Abduljabar Adama clinched the silver medal in the men’s 50m butterfly at the ongoing World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania.
Adama touched the wall at 23.64 seconds, a performance that not only earned him second place on the global stage but also marked Nigeria’s first-ever medal in world swimming history. This feat represents the highest achievement by a Nigerian swimmer at any World Aquatics event since the inception of the sport in the country.
Earlier in March this year, Adama had stunned the continent at the 16th Africa Junior Swimming Championships in Cairo, Egypt, where he won three gold medals, one bronze, and set multiple records, including a new African Junior record in the 50m freestyle. His continued rise confirms his status as one of Africa’s brightest swimming prospects.
The Nigerian team, which trained in London for two weeks before departing for Romania, The President commended Adama’s performance, describing it as a “historic breakthrough that will inspire future generations of Nigerian swimmers to dream bigger and aim higher.”
“This medal shows the world that Nigeria can compete at the very top level of swimming. Abduljabar has not just won silver, he has opened the door for many more to follow,” Chief Daphey-Aliyu added.
The National Sports Commission has also congratulated the team, reiterating its commitment to supporting swimming as a podium sport for Nigeria, with Adama already a beneficiary of the Elite Athletes and Podium Performance Program.
With this achievement, Nigeria celebrates not only a medal but the dawn of a new era in aquatic sports. Abduljabar Adama’s silver in Romania is a reminder that with sustained investment, dedication, and exposure, Nigerian athletes can compete and triumph on the world stage.
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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