Sports

Badminton Community Honors Gabriel Gbayan with Night of Tributes in Abuja

Published

11 months ago

November 17, 2024

The badminton community came together in full force to honor the life and legacy of Gabriel Gbayan, a distinguished board member of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria and Chairman of the FCT Badminton Association. The emotional candlelight service, organized by the Mabilla Barrack Badminton Club (MBBC) with support from various stakeholders, was a heartfelt tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on the sport.

Speaking at the event, Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), commended the organizers for their thoughtful recognition of Gbayan’s immense contributions. “I am deeply moved by what MBBC has done here tonight,” Orbih remarked. “It speaks volumes about how much they valued him, bringing together all key stakeholders to celebrate his life. Gbayan was not just a leader in the badminton community, but a kind, gentle, and family-oriented man. His passing is a great loss, not only to Nigeria but to badminton across Africa. As stakeholders, we are committed to standing by his family during this challenging time.”

Adakole Jones, a close friend and confidant of the late Gbayan, struggled to capture the magnitude of the loss. “This is an incredibly painful blow to the badminton family,” Jones shared. “All we can do now is pray that God raises up another person like him, both for his family and for the sport he loved so much.”

Rtd. Real Admiral Yusuf Idowu, Chairman of MBBC, reflected on the significance of the evening, calling the candlelight service “a small but meaningful gesture to honor a man who gave so much to badminton in the FCT and beyond.” He continued, “Gbayan’s legacy and contributions to badminton will never be forgotten. He was a steadfast pillar of support for the growth of the sport and for all those involved.”

In an emotional moment, Mrs. Doom Gbayan, the widow of the late badminton stalwart, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the tributes paid to her husband. “It brings me comfort to hear so many kind words about Gabriel and to know that his efforts are being remembered,” she said. “Though the pain of losing him is overwhelming, knowing that his legacy lives on in the hearts of so many makes it a little easier to bear.”

The night of tributes, though somber, was also a celebration of Gabriel Gbayan’s life and his lasting influence on badminton in Nigeria and beyond. His unwavering dedication, kindness, and vision for the sport will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.

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Sports

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

Published

17 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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