Sports
SPOJAN ELECTIONS: Adewale Ajayi, Remi Sulola, others elected
The Sports Journalists Association of Nigeria (SPOJAN) has elected Adewale Ajayi as the inauagural president of the Association. The hitchfree election was conducted on Saturday 23rd, October 2021 as members elect officers into various executive positions.
SPOJAN is an Association of Nigerian journalists residing within and outside Nigeria with aim of providing enabling environment for its members by offering trainings, seminars, and most importantly taking in to cognisance welfare of members.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected president of the Association, Wale Ajayi thank members for the opportunity bestow on him to lead the Association while also admitting the skepticism arrogated to the Association but promises to steer the course to a desireable destination.
The acceptance letter reads in part:
“A journey of a thousand miles has started in earnest with a big step. With great humility and with a heart full of joy, I say thank you to everyone that participated (in the voting exercise) and to everyone that voted for me.
“I also want to thank my big brother Mr. Dapo Sotiminu for believing in me and in this dream and for having the humility to step down for a younger brother to climb.”
SPOJAN is an apolitical Association and became a doctrine of necessity owing to series of challenges facing Nigerian journalists which the Association is commited to finding a lasting solution to.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone that voted today. We have all taken the first step towards re-writing and redefining our story as sports journalists. There are too many opportunities out there that most of us are not aware of. This is the time to explore and discover these opportunities. We are in this together and together we shall rediscover ourself in a profession that promises so much but offers so little.”
Contrary to misconception by many, SPOJAN has no plan to set up a parallel group against the constituted journalist’s body rather the Association is ready to be affiliated to the parental body which is the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
Wale Ajayi reiterate the need to create opportunity for Sports journalists as this was echoed in the concluding part of his acceptance speech.
“Many are willing to learn so we must create opportunities for them to learn and acquire more knowledge. It is a massive task, a huge responsibility but these group of men and women elected as your SPOJAN executives are not shy of responsibilities or scared of challenges.
“This is a new dawn for sports journalism in Nigeria. Many are scared of this movement and many are also skeptical. There are a few among us that don’t want to be seen as joining a rebel group and are cleverly playing save.
“This is not a rival or rebel group, this is a movement of strong progressives and we are ready to take our destinies into our own hands. We are in SWAN, we are with SWAN but we not tied to that string that has tied us to a world of uncertainties.
“Journalism is big. It is a big profession and in it, there are business opportunities. Let’s go out there and explore.
Other elected executive members are
Arafat Aliu (1st Vice President, Diasporal), Enitan Obadina (Vice President, Nigeria), Kisu Sulola (Secretary), Ikenna Nwokedi (Assistant Secretary), Aleshinloye Owolabi (Treasurer), Mike Osarieme (Financial Secretary), Olawale Quadry ( Public Relation Officer), and Tobi Adepoju (Welfare Officer).
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.
-
Featured6 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured5 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured6 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured4 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports3 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News9 months agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured6 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
