Sports
Promise Uwaeme Returns as LOC Chairman for 9th Adamu Yola Gombe South Unity Cup
Promise Uwaeme has been reappointed as Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 9th edition of the Adamu Yola Gombe South Unity Cup—marking his sixth consecutive term at the helm of one of the region’s most celebrated football tournaments.
Renowned for his visionary leadership, Uwaeme has been pivotal in transforming the Unity Cup into Gombe South’s premier grassroots football competition. His innovative strategies and passion for community development have made the tournament a vital platform for talent discovery and youth empowerment.
Reacting to his reappointment, Uwaeme said:”This is another opportunity to serve the people of Gombe South. This is what we love to do. I accept to serve with everything I’ve got.”
Beyond his role with the Unity Cup, Uwaeme has continued to build on his credentials in football administration. In March 2025, he completed a VAR Technician/Operators Course in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Most recently, in June, he became a certified National Technical Referee Instructor following an intensive training session in Abuja—further solidifying his technical expertise in the game.
Preparations for the 9th edition are already in motion. Activities will kick off in August with a Capacity Building Seminar for LOC members, followed by a Press Conference to officially open team registrations.
While Uwaeme’s return as LOC Chairman has been confirmed, the full list of committee members is expected to be announced in the coming days.
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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