Sports

Nigeria Will Soon Be a Leading Force in African, Global Karate – Agara

Published

2 months ago

July 28, 2025

…As 2025 African Karate Championship Ends in Abuja

Joel Ajayi

President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria, Hon. Silas Agara, has expressed strong optimism about Nigeria’s rising status in the sport of Karate, declaring that the country is on course to becoming a dominant force both in Africa and on the global stage.

Agara made the statement during the closing ceremony of the 2025 African Karate Championship, which took place at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The championship attracted over 1,000 athletes from more than 30 countries.

He commended the Federal Government and the National Sports Commission for their vital support, which he credited for the successful hosting of the event.

“We are proud of what we’ve accomplished. Successfully hosting this championship is a major achievement, and it shows that Nigeria has what it takes to lead in this sport,” Agara stated.

He noted that while countries like Egypt arrived with 10 world-class athletes, Nigerian athletes were able to compete effectively, even reaching the finals in several categories.

“Our athletes have reached a level where they can share the podium with some of the best in the world. Morocco came with five world-ranked athletes, and traditionally, North African countries have dominated karate in Africa. But Nigeria is now changing the narrative,” he said.

Agara also acknowledged the efforts of other participating nations such as Senegal and Burkina Faso, known for their heavy investments in karate.

However, he emphasized that despite being relatively new to the global karate scene, Nigeria is making rapid progress.

“With the medals we’ve secured and the strong performances we’ve seen, it’s clear our athletes are on the right path. We are no longer just participants—we are contenders,” he added.

Agara concluded by reaffirming his belief that with continued investment, grassroots development, and the right support structures, Nigeria will soon emerge as a powerhouse in African and international karate.

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Sports

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

Published

10 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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