Sports
Dr. Ibrahim Re-Elected as President of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Sets Sights on Global Dominance
By Joel Ajayi
Dr. Ibrahim Abdul has been re-elected as the President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) following a smooth and peaceful election held during the Elective Congress at the Gymnasium Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Dr. Abdul, who previously led the federation, was returned unopposed with 12 votes, marking the beginning of his second term in office.
His re-election was met with optimism and high expectations for continued progress and development in Nigerian weightlifting.
In the other election results, Mr. Lawrence Iquaiborn emerged as the new Vice President of the federation after defeating Innocent Nwakwo by 8 votes to 4.
Meanwhile, in the Technical ’ representative category, Sefia Onubaye secured a landslide victory over Mr. Christopher, winning 30 votes to 4.
The peaceful conduct of the elections was widely applauded by stakeholders, who described it as a model for other sports federations in the country.
In his post-election remarks, Dr. Abdul expressed deep appreciation to members of the federation for reposing their confidence in him.
He emphasized that the new leadership’s ambition goes beyond local achievements.
“I am extremely humbled to be elected for another four years. I want to thank my colleagues for the trust they’ve placed in me — I do not take it for granted,” he said.
“Our goal is not just to dominate Africa but to conquer the world in the sport of weightlifting.”
He praised the peaceful nature of the election, describing it as a testament to the unity and maturity within the federation.
“There were no quarrels or tension; everything went smoothly. This is how elections should be conducted — peacefully and respectfully. I urge other federations to adopt this model,” he added.
The newly re-elected president also spoke on the importance of teamwork, commitment, and financial independence in driving the federation forward.
“This responsibility is a selfless one. Running a federation requires significant funding, and we cannot depend entirely on the sports commission. We must seek alternative sponsorships and partnerships to sustain our activities,” he emphasized.
Dr. Abdul called on all members of the executive board to take their roles seriously and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the sport.
“If we are financially self-reliant, we won’t be at the mercy of anyone. We will be able to plan, execute and participate in international events without always begging for support.”
He also said that, Welfare of athletes and coaches will be top priority of board saying that our target is to be number 1 in the world
He concluded by urging members to work hard and collaboratively, assuring them that the new administration would be inclusive and performance-driven.
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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