Sports

Nigeria to Participate in Maiden African School Games in Algeria

Published

3 months ago

July 14, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed Nigeria’s participation in the Maiden African School Games, scheduled to hold from July 26 to August 5, 2025, in Algeria.

The landmark Championship, organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), is set to redefine youth sports development on the African continent.

“This is a milestone opportunity for Nigeria to showcase and nurture its school-age sporting talents on a continental stage,” said the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade. “We are working closely with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), school authorities, and parents to ensure the successful preparation and representation of Team Nigeria.”

Team Nigeria will compete in 10 disciplines, including athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, canoeing, football, swimming, table tennis, cycling, and taekwondo. The official arrival of participants, including Chefs de Mission, and the opening of the Games Village is set for July 23, 2025.

Speaking on Nigeria’s renewed hope sports mandate and the future of Nigerian sports, a Hon. Olopade stated that “this is a fresh air in the NSC as youth are reaping from the sports economy we’re building, a mandate given by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the NSC leadership. 21 federations have competed internationally outside Nigeria since we assumed office, thus giving equal attention to all sports. We’re engaging the youth, building our sports economy, and developing our sports.”

A valid school certificate will be required for all athletes, in line with event regulations. The NSC and NOC will also coordinate with parents and guardians to obtain paternal authorizations for eligible minors participating in the Games.

The African School Games represents a first-of-its-kind event for the continent, dedicated exclusively to young African school children. Its mission is clear: to provide a unique platform for talent identification, grassroots development, and youth integration—while promoting the Olympic values of excellence, solidarity, and fraternity.

The National Sports Commission reaffirms its commitment to empowering Nigerian youth through sport and leveraging international platforms to inspire a new generation of champions.

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Sports

FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification

Published

14 hours ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

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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