Sports
BFN President Applauds Falcons’ Gesture, Seeks Wider Recognition for Other Sports
By Joel Ajayi
A passionate call has gone out to the Federal Government not to let the hard work and sacrifices of athletes in non-football sports go unrecognized, as stakeholders in the Nigerian sports community commend the government’s recent gesture toward the Super Falcons while urging more inclusive recognition.
This call was made by the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, during an interview with Journalists on Friday in Abuja.
Orbih praised the government for honouring the Super Falcons following their triumph at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), but emphasized that other athletes who have also brought glory to the country deserve equal treatment.
“We commend the Federal Government for what they did for the Super Falcons. It was unprecedented and well deserved.
“But there are many other athletes from different sports who have also done Nigeria proud, and their efforts must not go in vain.”
He pointed to the recent exploits of Nigeria’s para-badminton star, Eniola Bolaji who stunned the world by defeating the reigning world number one at a major international competition in Britain.
According to him, this achievement not only made headlines globally but also affirmed Nigeria’s growing strength in the sport.
Bolaji’s performance was outstanding. She beat the same player who denied her gold at the last Paralympic Games.
“She’s currently ranked number two in the world, and she’s closing in on the top spot. For an entire week, she was the most talked-about athlete in global badminton circles. That is no small feat.”
He strongly advocated for Bolaji and other athletes in different sports federations to be recognized at the highest level, including through a presidential reward.
The BFN president also used the opportunity to reflect on recent developments in the sport, particularly the return of the National Para-Badminton Championship, which hadn’t been held since 2022.
He said the event served as a successful test-run ahead of two major international tournaments scheduled for September and October this year.
Orbih lauded the Abia State Government, under Governor Dr. Alex Otti, for its remarkable support in hosting the championship. He cited the provision of new equipment, including an accessible sports bus and specialized mats, and the renovation of the International Conference Centre in Umuahia to international standards.
He concluded with a call for the institutionalization of athlete recognition policies across all sports.
“Let’s make it a matter of policy. Every athlete who lifts the Nigerian flag high—whether in football, Badminton, Gymnastics, swimming or any other sport deserves equal recognition,” he said
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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