Sports
NFF President Hails Gov. Alex Otti, Declares Abia the ‘Home of Football’ in Nigeria
Joel Ajayi
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has lauded Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for his unwavering commitment to sports development, describing Abia as “the home of football in Nigeria.”
Speaking during a courtesy visit to Governor Otti at his country home in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, Gusau praised the state’s rich football history, noting that Abia has produced landmark achievements, including back-to-back African continental titles.
“The history of sports in Nigeria cannot be complete without a mention of Abia State,” Gusau remarked.
He highlighted the remarkable growth of Abia Warriors FC under Governor Otti’s administration, recognizing the club as “one of the top three clubs in Nigeria.” The NFF President also called for the rehabilitation of the Umuahia Township Stadium and pledged the federation’s technical support to ensure the facility meets international standards.
In his response, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to sports, promising to sustain Abia’s leading role in Nigerian and African football.
“Sports development will remain one of my topmost priorities to ensure Abia remains a major player in sporting activities at the continental and global levels,” the governor stated.
Governor Otti revealed that work will soon begin on the upgrade of the Umuahia Township Stadium as a short-term solution, while unveiling ambitious plans for a Stadium City project in Umuahia.
“I have already approved the upgrade of the Umuahia Township Stadium to make it what a stadium should look like. That’s our immediate intervention,” he explained.
“But we also have a long-term solution – the Abia Stadium City. The land has been acquired, designs are ongoing, and it will be a complex with an entertainment village, plazas, a conference center, and residential apartments.”
Governor Otti described football and sports in general as a “uniting factor”, stressing that good governance is about positively impacting the lives of the people.
He thanked the NFF for its support and assured that Abia would continue to back the federation’s initiatives. The governor also used the occasion to congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the recent achievements of the Super Falcons, noting their performance as a source of pride for Nigeria.
The visit was attended by key stakeholders, including Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development; John Obuh, Chairman of Abia Warriors FC; and other prominent figures in the state’s sporting community.
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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