Sports
Habu Gumel Olympic Marathon Walk Debuts in Abuja as Dikko Flags Off Event
Joel Ajayi
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, on Saturday officially flagged off the maiden edition of the Engr. Habu Gumel Olympic Marathon Walk Tournament in Abuja, describing the initiative as a step in the right direction toward promoting national wellness and raising awareness through sports.
The event was organized by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in honour of Engr. Habu Gumel, a former president of the Society and current President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), in recognition of his outstanding contributions to both engineering and sports development in Nigeria.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Dikko commended the NSE for its visionary approach in combining professional excellence with physical fitness.
“This marathon walk is not only a fitting tribute to Engr. Habu Gumel, but also a commendable initiative that promotes health and wellness among Nigerians, especially members of the engineering community,” he said.
“This is a step in the right direction and aligns perfectly with the Commission’s commitment to encourage mass participation in sports for the benefit of national health.”
He further assured participants and organizers of the Commission’s continued support, adding, “There’s no doubt the NSC will be part of this again next year.”
Dikko also lauded the NSE for honouring Engr. Gumel in such a meaningful way, describing the event as one that would leave a lasting legacy in both sports and professional circles.
In her remarks, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, described Engr. Gumel as a towering figure in Nigerian sports whose lifelong dedication has made him “synonymous with sports” in the country.
“We began organizing these games in 2011, and each year they’ve grown in scale and significance,” she noted. “This year, we introduced the Habu Gumel Olympic Marathon Walk as a symbol of a new chapter in our collaboration with the Nigeria Olympic Committee. It’s a partnership we’re incredibly proud of.”
Oguntala highlighted Gumel’s dual contributions to engineering and sports, stating: “Engr. Habu Gumel has long been a pillar in Nigerian sports.
He has served as President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee for many years and continues to serve with distinction. He is also a revered past president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, having held the position in 2001.”
Also speaking at the event, an elated Engr. Gumel expressed deep appreciation for the honour bestowed upon him.
“We are here today with strong support from the leadership of Nigerian sports.
“This marathon bearing my name is a great honour. It marks the beginning of something special an initiative I believe will grow stronger and more impactful with each passing year. I’m delighted that the Chairman of the National Sports Commission is here with us today, alongside my dear friend and former NSC Chairman.”
He emphasized that the event represents more than just a walk; it embodies a larger vision of integrating fitness and professional life through engineering games and wellness activities.
“I also want to thank the National Sports Commission for the facilities provided for this event. Their support has been invaluable, and I am confident they will continue to back this initiative.”
Concluding his remarks, Gumel said, “Today is not about long speeches, but about heartfelt gratitude. I sincerely thank the President of NSE and the entire Council for honouring me in this way. I deeply appreciate it and pray for blessings on everyone here. I pledge to continue supporting this initiative in every way I can.”
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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