Sports
Jimoh reaches quarter-finals at ITF J30
Nigerian tennis player, Joseph Jimoh, secured a quarter-final spot in the men’s singles event on Wednesday at the ongoing ITF World Tennis Tour Junior J30 in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jimoh earned his place after a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory over Mevi Irimiya in the round of 16.
In his previous match, Jimoh defeated Michael Prosper 6-0, 6-0 in the round of 32. Irimiya, meanwhile, overcame Mohammed Elsheikh 6-2, 7-6(5) to reach the round of 16.
Jimoh controlled the match, taking an early lead and winning in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, to secure his place in the quarter-finals.
He showcased his skill and determination, particularly in key moments. He will now face India’s Vyom Shah, who defeated France’s Raphaël Métrailler 6-1, 6-3.
The 17-year-old Nigerian told NAN that he is only competing in singles this week, having won the doubles category multiple times in previous events.
“I am happy to have won, just like in the first week’s event. I want to keep giving my best and finish on top,” he said.
Jimoh added that his training ground, Aurum Tennis Academy, has five players competing in this tournament and another five playing abroad.
“We are really doing great. We hope to make a statement,” he added.
In other men’s singles matches, Sani Inabo beat China’s Haoran Hu 6-4, 6-7(1), 6-2, while Shah overcame Métrailler 6-1, 6-3. Ezekiel Azi defeated Morocco’s Amine Jabrani 7-6(7), 6-3.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) event, which began on 19 February, is set to conclude on March 1 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Tennis Centre in Abuja.
A total of 11 countries are participating, including Nigeria, Egypt, Great Britain, France, the USA, South Africa, Lebanon, Hong Kong, Morocco, India, and China. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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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