Sports
Senator Ned Nwoko Pledges Support for Youth Sports Development at Senate President’s Cup, Donates 10M to Finalists
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In a show of unwavering commitment to youth sports development, Acting Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Ned Nwoko, has pledged to partner with the organizers of the Senate President’s Cup. The Senator, known for his passion for sports, made the announcement during the closing ceremony of the 10th Senate President’s Cup, U-18 Boys Unity, themed the Renewed Hope Edition, held at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.
Representing Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio GCON, Senator Nwoko expressed his excitement at the display of talent and skill by the young athletes during the tournament. He remarked, “I was elated with the passion and skills showcased by the young talents. I can tell that most of the players will get to the pinnacle of their career, playing for various national teams and foreign clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and other big teams.”
Senator Nwoko, speaking in his capacity as the Acting Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent. “I have been a fan of catching them young, so they can be nurtured and groomed for the big stage. My passion for sports led to my big project, the Sports University, and I hope to see the next edition hosted in my Sports University,” he stated.
The final match of the tournament witnessed a thrilling showdown as Qatar Academy of Bornu state succumbed to Greatness Sporting Club of Ebonyi state in a penalty shootout, ending the game in a stalemate. In the third-place match, Tanko Baba Academy of Nasarawa state narrowly lost 5-4 on penalties to Kebbi Selected of Kebbi state.
Senator Nwoko generously donated ten million naira to the four semifinalists and encouraged all teams to persevere in pursuing their dreams without relenting.
Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, Senator Ita Enang, expressed his satisfaction with the successful organization of the competition and revealed that plans were already underway for next year’s edition.
The Senate President’s Cup not only showcased the raw talent of young athletes but also highlighted the unwavering support and dedication of leaders like Senator Ned Nwoko towards nurturing the next generation of sports stars.He thanked the Tournament Coordinator Hon.John Bassey Ekpeyoung for working round the clock in ensuring a successful tournament.
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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