Sports
Nigeria’s Progress in Karate is Commendable-Hon. Silas Agara
…As 2025 African Karate Championship ends in Abuja
President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria, Silas Agara, has commended the progress made so far by Nigerian athletes in the sport, especially with the success of the just concluded African Karate Championship in Abuja, where over 30 countries, 1000 Athletes participated.
Agara while speaking at the closing ceremony of the event inside Velodrome of Moshood Abiola National Stadium acknowledged Federal Government, sports Commission support that contributed significantly to the successful hosting of the tournament.
“We are proud of what we’ve achieved so far. Hosting this championship successfully is a big win for us.
“With the level of participation and competition witnessed here, we are encouraged to keep pushing our athletes,” Agara stated.
He pointed out that countries like Egypt arrived with 10 world-class athletes, yet Nigerian athletes were able to compete strongly with them in the finals.
“Our athletes are now performing at a level where they can share the podium with the best. Morocco, too, came with five world-ranked athletes. For a long time, North African nations have dominated the sport, but Nigeria is now making its mark,” he added.
Agara also noted the presence of other countries such as Senegal and Burkina Faso, which have invested heavily in Karate. “Compared to them, we are newcomers, but with what we’ve achieved—winning medals across various categories—there is every reason to be proud. It shows our athletes are on the right path.”
He concluded by expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future in Karate, stating that with continued investment and development, the country will soon become a force to reckon with in the sport across Africa and beyond.
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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