Sports
Gov Bala Mohammed declares 2024 National Beach Volleyball Tour Open
…Customs, Emeralds win first Match
The Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, on Tuesday officially declared the final phase of the 2024 National Beach Volleyball Star/Open Tour open.
Governor Mohammed, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Salis Gamawa, expressed the state’s commitment to becoming a hub for sports in Northern Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Gamawa conveyed the Governor’s vision, saying, “This is the first time Bauchi State is hosting a beach volleyball tournament, and His Excellency, Governor Bala Mohammed, is committed to prioritizing sports development in the state.”
He continued, “Governor Mohammed is determined to transform Bauchi State into a sporting powerhouse, one that will be the envy of not just other states, but countries across the world.”
Highlighting the state’s sporting achievements, Gamawa shared, “Bauchi State’s women’s volleyball team has already qualified for next season’s Nigeria Volleyball Premier League, while our men’s team has secured promotion to the National Division 1 Volleyball League. These accomplishments are just the beginning of what we hope to achieve in the coming years.”*
The opening day also saw the defending champions, Kada Emeralds, and Nigeria Customs Service secure their first victories in the women’s competition of the ongoing National Beach Volleyball Star Tour.
Kada Emeralds triumphed over Musa Rifkatu with a dominant 2-0 win, securing set scores of 21-11 and 21-5. Speaking after the match, Pamela Bawa said, “We’re thrilled to start with a strong win. We’ve been preparing for this and we aim to defend our title.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria Customs Service defeated Adamawa Queens 2-0, with set scores of 21-19 and 21-9. “It was a tough match, but our team showed resilience and we’re ready to take on the next challenge,” said Francisca Ikehidie.
In the men’s category, defending champions Kada Kings battled hard to secure a 2-1 (21-11, 21-23, 15-11) victory against Wikki Spikers. Similarly, Nigeria Customs Service triumphed over Kada Stars with a 2-1 victory (21-17, 20-22, 15-11).
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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