Sports
NSF Reaffirms Olympic Ambition, Resolves Internal Disputes
By Joel Ajayi
President of the Nigeria Shooting Federation (NSF), Navy Captain Bamidele Olatunji Ayoade, has reaffirmed the Federation’s renewed focus on ensuring Nigeria’s participation in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday shortly after a crucial board meeting, Ayoade described the gathering as the most productive since he assumed office. The meeting, he said, was instrumental in repositioning the Federation and resolving lingering internal issues.
“This has been the best meeting since I came on board,” he said. “We opened up, had honest conversations, and resolved to move forward with a unified vision—qualifying for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. That is now our primary goal.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s absence at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Ayoade attributed the setback to funding challenges and logistical hurdles, particularly issues surrounding the transportation of firearms for competition.
“There were unfortunate incidents in Dubai that prevented our athletes from competing with their equipment,” he explained. “We’ve learned from these setbacks and are putting measures in place to ensure they do not happen again.”
The NSF President noted that the Federation has adopted new strategies and is receiving increasing support from the National Sports Commission. These efforts, he said, are aimed at preparing athletes through proper training, international exposure, and participation in ranking events.
Ayoade also called on the public to disregard negative narratives circulating on social media, emphasizing that the Federation is now more united than ever.
“All our differences have been resolved. We are one family, and our collective dream is to see the Nigerian flag flown in Los Angeles. That’s our goal, and we are determined to achieve it.”
Confirming his intention to seek a second term, Ayoade announced that the Federation’s election has been scheduled for September 22, 2025.
He noted that the decision is part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the NSF’s leadership and maintain its current momentum.
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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