Sports
FCT FA Boss Mouktar Wins 2025 Blueprint Sports Icon Award
Joel Ajayi
The Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCT FA), Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed, has been honoured as Sports Icon of the Year 2025 by Blueprint Newspaper in recognition of his outstanding contributions to youth and sports development, particularly within the FCT education sector.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the media Adviser to the FA Chairman Uche Nwudoh Hilary in Abuja revealed that, the award was presented during the Blueprint Annual Public Lecture and Impact Series held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
According to the organisers, Alhaji Mouktar was selected for his exemplary contributions and measurable impact on national development through youth empowerment and sports initiatives.
He was lauded for his steadfast commitment to human capital development, marked by numerous impactful projects and youth-oriented programmes.
Other prominent recipients at the event included the National Security Adviser, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State—each recognised for their distinct contributions to national growth and progress.
In his acceptance speech, Alhaji Mouktar expressed gratitude on behalf of the FCT FA family and the sports-loving people of the Federal Capital Territory. He dedicated the award to Almighty Allah and to the people of the FCT.
“This award is a testament that our efforts are being seen and appreciated,” he said. “It also serves as a reminder that we must continue with purpose and determination to do even more for youth development—not just in sports, but also in education.”
He further thanked the organisers, adding: “This recognition is both an honour and a challenge to surpass our past achievements. Our country’s growth and economic improvement lie in investing in our youth.”
The Blueprint Impact Series is an annual platform that celebrates excellence in public service and honours individuals and institutions making significant strides in shaping Nigeria’s future.
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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