Sports
Lagos Begins “Catch-Them-Young” Multi-Sports Trials Ahead of 2025 National Youth Games
The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has officially launched its “Catch-Them-Young” multi-sports trials, a major step in its preparations for the 2025 National Youth Games (NYG) scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta State.
The grassroots talent discovery programme is designed to identify, nurture, and develop young athletes who will not only represent Lagos at the NYG but also form a pipeline of future champions for national and international competitions.
The ongoing trials, which began a few weeks ago across various sporting facilities in the state, span multiple disciplines including athletics (track and field), swimming, gymnastics, boxing, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, basketball, football, chess, ayo, and others. The programme is open to children aged 9 to 14 from across Lagos State.
Speaking at the venue of the athletics trials, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, highlighted the strategic importance of early talent identification in building a sustainable sports development structure.
“The ‘Catch-Them-Young’ programme represents our commitment to discovering and nurturing raw talent from the grassroots level,” Mr. Fatodu said. “We believe that every child in Lagos has the potential to become a world champion. Through this structured trial system, we are creating pathways for young athletes to turn their dreams into reality.”
He added that the initiative is not only aimed at building a strong Lagos team for the 2025 NYG but also at establishing a legacy programme that will continually feed into the state’s long-term sports development goals.
Mr. Fatodu also revealed that the Commission is exploring partnerships with international sports development organisations to provide further training and exposure for standout talents identified during the trials.
The LSSC is also placing strong emphasis on age verification and compliance with eligibility requirements, while focusing on areas where Lagos has historically excelled, and simultaneously exploring emerging potentials across all sports.
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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