Sports
Nigeria Shines at ICC Annual Conference 2025 in Singapore
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is once again in the spotlight at the ongoing 2025 ICC Annual Conference in Singapore, with strong representation, impactful contributions, and notable recognition at key regional and global forums, including the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) Annual General Meeting.
A major highlight of the Africa Regional Meeting was the re-election of Dr. Uyi Akpata, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), to the ACA Board of Directors. Dr. Akpata, who previously served as an Interim Director, received a renewed mandate reflecting the continent’s confidence in his leadership and his role in advancing cricket development across Africa.
During the meeting, the ACA emphasized deeper collaboration among member nations, including peer reviews and knowledge-sharing strategies aimed at accelerating cricket growth on the continent. The newly constituted board, with Dr. Akpata among its seven directors, is expected to drive this renewed vision of unity and development.
At the ICC Associate Members Meeting earlier in the day, ICC Chair Jay Shah singled out Nigeria for praise, applauding the country’s outstanding performance at the U19 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Malaysia. He described Nigeria as a standout among Associate nations, earning global attention through consistent growth and achievement.
Further commendations came from Mr. Mubashshir Usmani, Chair of the Associate Members, who lauded the Nigeria Cricket Federation’s grassroots efforts. He specifically referenced initiatives like the Criiio Cricket Program and the 9ja Kids Cricket Initiative, recalling his personal experience attending the launch of plastic cricket gear in Lagos. Usmani described the NCF’s work as a “massive investment in the future of the sport.”
In another key development during the African regional engagements, countries in West Africa—including Cameroon—agreed to host the inaugural West Africa U17 Men’s Cricket Tournament in Ghana in Q4 2025. The event is intended to prepare teams for the ICC U19 Men’s Division 2 Qualifiers and Finals scheduled for 2026 and 2027.
To lead the initiative, Emeka Igwilo, General Manager of the NCF, was appointed Coordinator. He will oversee planning and engage with participating nations to finalize the calendar in line with academic schedules. Nigeria’s squad for the U17 tournament will be drawn from the 2025 PwC National Youth Cricket Events.
As the ICC Annual Conference enters its third day, more strategic decisions and resolutions are expected, all focused on strengthening cricket’s global footprint.
Nigeria’s active participation and growing international recognition underscore its rising profile in world cricket—driven by visionary leadership, innovation, and sustained grassroots investment.
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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