Sports
FCT FA Chairman Congratulates NSC DG, Felicitates with NFF President On WAFU B Election
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Capital Territory Football Association Chairman, Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed, has felicitated Chief Bukola Olawale Olopade on his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, describing him as a round peg in a round hole.
Mouktar in a congratulatory message said Olopade, with his wealth of experience spanning decades in sports administration, would no doubt perform beyond expectations in the new role.
The FCT FA Boss, noted that Chief Olopade has carved a niche for himself in sports administration through unwavering dedication and tenacity, adding that the appointment represents a round peg in a round hole.
“I heartily congratulate you on your well-deserved appointment as the Director General of the National Sports Commission. This remarkable achievement is no doubt, a testament to your exceptional leadership prowess, unwavering dedication, and profound contributions to sports development in Nigeria.”
”Your passion and commitment towards achieving excellence in sports have earned you this prestigious role, and I am confident that under your leadership, the National Sports Commission will achieve unprecedented milestones. I celebrate this new chapter in your journey and wish you resounding success as you work to elevate Nigeria’s sports sector to greater enviable heights.”
Similarly, Alhaji Mouktar, is extending warm congratulations to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, on his election as the 1st Vice President of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B.
“You have been crowned for your exceptional leadership. Your election is a clear testimony of your vision and dedication to grassroots and elite development of football over the years in Nigeria.’’
“This is a demonstration of your commitment and dedication to football development in Nigeria, the sub region,Africa and world at large. I am optimistic that you will bring to the fore your expertise that will bring maximum progress to the regional football body.”
Gusau’s electoral victory was announced following the WAFU B leadership election held in Niamey, Niger Republic, recently.
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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