Sports
Ex NFF General Secretary Praises NNL/Prostar/Sportslight Hub for Consistent Awards Initiative
Former General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Musa Amadu, has commended the Nigeria National League (NNL) for its continued efforts in recognizing and rewarding outstanding contributions in Nigerian football.
Speaking at the second edition of the NNL/Prostar/Sportslight Hub Awards, Amadu described the initiative as a laudable step towards promoting and elevating the league’s image.
“I think this is a commendable initiative by the NNL,” Amadu said. “It will undoubtedly help enhance the brand’s visibility. The NNL remains the most competitive league in the country, offering great exposure to its players, coaches, referees, and administrators.”
Amadu also expressed appreciation for Prostar and Sportslight Hub for supporting the initiative, urging them to sustain their partnership with the league.
“I am delighted to see Prostar and Sportslight identifying with the most important league in Nigeria. This kind of support is invaluable, and I encourage them to continue. For the players, coaches, and practitioners, this should serve as motivation to achieve more. The league is gaining the recognition it deserves, and I say kudos to everyone involved.”
Speaking at the event, NNL Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Attah, described the second edition of the awards as one of consolidation, acknowledging the commitment of their partners in sustaining the initiative.
“We appreciate Prostar and Sportslight Hub for their commitment to the NNL. Their support has been instrumental in keeping this initiative alive. As we move forward, we hope to strengthen this partnership and continue recognizing excellence in the league.”
As part of the awards, Solution FC’s head coach, Emmanuel Deutch, was honored with the Best Coach Award for his impressive unbeaten run in three matches, which helped his team climb the standings in Conference B.
Other awardees are Oladeji Joshua of Crown FC of Ogbomosho who emerged as the best goalkeeper of the month, Abdullahi Umar, Most Valuable player and Highest goal scorer of the month, Babatunde Taofeek , scored the goal of the month, Gateway United emerged the best team of the month, while Ogunfolajun Joshua was adjudged as the Best Referee of the month.
The NNL continues to establish itself as Nigeria’s most competitive league, and with initiatives like this, it aims to further reward and motivate excellence within the football ecosystem.
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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