Sports
Sporting Dream, One Touch Emerge Champions of 2025 FCT FA League Divisions 1 & 2
…As Chairman Reiterates Commitment to Talent Development
By Joel Ajayi
Sporting Dream FC and One Torch FC have emerged champions of the 2025 Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCT FA) League Division One and Two respectively, following thrilling finales at the FIFA Goal Project, Area 3 Pitch, Abuja.
Sporting Dream FC sealed their Division One title with a commanding 2-0 victory over the resilient Ushafa FC. Despite a valiant effort from the “Golden Boys” of Ushafa, Sporting Dream’s superior discipline and tactical execution proved decisive in the 90-minute contest.
Earlier in the day, One Touch FC claimed the Division Two title in emphatic fashion, defeating Federal Housing Authority (FHA) FC 3-0. The win capped off a dominant campaign for the team, affirming their status as a rising force in the league’s second tier.
The grand finale drew a passionate crowd, including fans, stakeholders, and FCT FA officials, and marked the climax of weeks of intense football competition across both divisions. Sporting Dream’s consistency, attacking flair, and teamwork throughout the season were instrumental in their success.
With their victory, Sporting Dream FC will go on to represent the FCT in the upcoming Nigeria Nationwide League (NNL) national playoffs—a vital opportunity to gain promotion and exposure on a larger stage.
Speaking after the conclusion of the tournament, FCT FA Vice Chairman and Chairman of the League Committee, Alhaji Salihu 1Kolo, expressed satisfaction with the successful organization of the league and lauded the efforts of the local organizing committee.
“I must commend the organizing team for their dedication. Their efforts ensured a peaceful atmosphere—no fights, no disruptions. We witnessed competitive and promising football from all the teams, and that’s the essence of this league,” he stated.
Alhaji Kolo emphasized that the FCT FA League remains a crucial platform for grassroots talent discovery and development.
“This league is an annual event designed to identify and showcase young talents from the FCT. Already, some of the players have attracted interest from top-tier clubs in the NPFL, NNL, and other national leagues,” he added.
He also thanked the FCT FA Chairman for his unwavering support, particularly in providing trophies, logistical aid, and guidance throughout the tournament.
Also speaking at the event, former Super Eagles player and current FCT FA board member, Femi Ajilore, stressed the importance of the two winning teams representing the FCT with pride at the national level.
“It’s not just about participation. We’ve made it clear that these teams must go out and make the FCT proud. We’re solidly behind them, and the symbolic cheque presented today is just one step—we’re ready to do more, by God’s grace,” Ajilore affirmed.
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
