Sports
NSC Partners NTA Towards Development of Sports Broadcating In Nigeria
Joel Ajayi
The National Sports Commission received a significant boost recently as the Director General of Nigeria Television Authority, Comrade Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko and the Director General, Hon Bukola Olapade with the view for a collaborative partnership towards the future development of sports broadcasting in Nigeria.
At the meeting held today at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abuja, the Chairman emphasized the need for collaboration between the NTA and the Commission to reach a wider audience and showcase the talents of Nigerian athletes. He also highlighted the numerous successes achieved by the Commission in recent times, including the impressive performances of Nigerian athletes at international competitions.
The meeting resulted in a fruitful discussion on strategies to promote sports through television and other media platforms. “With the combined efforts and resources of the NTA and the NSC, there is no doubt that Nigerian sports will experience even greater heights”. He said.
The Chairman further explained that as Sports continues to make strides in Nigeria, the NTA will play a vital role in amplifying the efforts of the athletes to a wider audience. Together, he said, they will not only bring glory to the country on the world stage but also unite Nigerians through the power of sports.
Mallam Dikko attests to the fact that the visit by the Director General of Nigeria Television Authority to the Commission, is a clear indication of the commitment of both organizations to work hand in hand for the betterment of sports in Nigeria. “This collaboration will not only increase the visibility of Nigerian sports but it will also inspire a new generation of athletes to strive for excellence”. He said.
Speaking earlier, the Director General of the Nigeria Television Authority Comrade Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, who was warmly received by the NSC leadership, expressed his admiration for the strides that the Commission has made in promoting and developing sports in Nigeria. He acknowledged the important role sports play in bringing unity among Nigerians and creating a positive image for the country on the global stage.
The NTA DG also assured the Commission that they have the equipment and the experience to carry sports further and will not relent in doing so to ensure Nigeria sports is taken to a higher level.
In his remark, the Director General of the Commission , Hon Bukola Olapade expressed his gratitude to the Director for the visit stressing the importance of media coverage in promoting sports in Nigeria, He emphasized the need for the NTA to highlight the achievements and potential of Nigerian athletes to the rest of the world.
The Director General expressed his optimism over the success of the collaboration adding that is a great step towards achieving a more vibrant and successful sports industry in Nigeria.
“We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of this collaboration and the promising future of Nigerian sports”. He enthuses.
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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