Sports
NOC President Hails Water FC Boss Makanjuola for Impactful Grassroots Football Development in Nigeria
Joel Ajayi
President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, has hailed grassroots football advocate, Nureni Makanjuola apopularly known as “MK”—for his unwavering commitment to the growth and development of football at the grassroots level in Nigeria.
Gumel made the commendation on Sunday while receiving the CEO of Water Football Club, based in the Federal Capital Territory.
During the meeting, he praised Mr Nureni’s impactful work behind the scenes, which has helped nurture thousands of young talents across the country.
“Meeting you today brings me great joy. It took me a while to finally know the face behind the smiles of so many young Nigerians. Your contributions through football are truly inspiring,” Gumel said. “We must continue working together to uplift our youth and society at large.”
For over two decades, MK has remained a silent force in grassroots football development, mentoring young players, guiding them to national and international stages, and using sport as a tool to combat poverty and instill discipline.
Despite operating largely outside the limelight, many of the players developed under Makanjuola’s guidance have gone on to represent Nigeria at major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, Africa Cup of Nations, and various youth championships globally.
In recognition of his long-standing, selfless service to youth development and nation-building through sports, MK was recently listed among the 100 Most Influential Progressive Nigerians by Progressive Media.
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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