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SPORTS IS RESULT OREINTING NOT A TOOL FOR DESTRUCTION AND EGO

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FELLY MAMMAH N.

It is no longer news that the Chairman of the newly transformed National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Shehu Dikko has assumed duty at the Commission. Dikko, a well known sports administrator has exhumed confidence, fearlessness and hope of fulfillment without the fear of the unknown expectations that may occur. Unlike what was hitherto the practice, his presence in office has been without the noisy sirens, but with large crowd of jolly good fellows that desire to continue with him in his successful part ways.

President Bola Tinubu may streamlined the security entitlements of ministers with 3 vehicles to aid their movements, but surprisingly, Dikko is different in this regard as he does not seem to be moved with power neither is he security conscious. He looks a man that believes in the genuineness of intellectuals and has exhibited a true characteristic of a typical northerner who believes in divine protection of his life and divine will for him.

Both his arrival and departure from the office so far have been without notification because that power intoxication with security alarm seems not to be a priority to the expectations in his assigned responsibility in the Commission.
From press interactions and interviews he has granted since assumption of duty, he has been highlighting his cardinal focal points which includes merging all sports even though he is grounded in football sector.

Among his priorities also, is how to raise the GDP of the country’s economy through sports and most importantly, build sporting infrastructures that people can utilize at will. His being a businessman and selflessness in nature, makes his vision very clear and visible. History has it that first in his thought has always been what he will give to his country and people. How to impact people’s lives and develop them, adds colour to his administration and this classifies him among divine chosen ones with mission of leadership, and above all discovering result oriented system.

However, his contribution in data presentation on how sports policies can be driven to actualize success could be said to be one of the main reasons he was selected among his equals by President Bola Tinubu to bring his wealth of experience to develop the sports sector.

The Chairman, notwithstanding is highly grounded in the area of football and has spread his tentacles in the different bodies of the football associations. Having worked in a domain where events are calculated earlier before execution, timely, with work force readily available and accessibly, he may be faced with the challenge of too much bureaucracy, backwardness, waste of time, excuses for failure, having inherited staff from the defunct Ministry of Sports Development.

His expectations of being ahead of events may also, be frustrated by delay of movement of files for attention due to interests as it was in the defunct ministry. I wish to however, draw the attention of the Honourable Chairman to the need to dialogue with his heads of departments to enable him understand some of their ideas so that they will reflect sporting activities in this present digital world.

Part of my plea to the Chairman is for him to have a data structure of his staff with particular interest on their job schedules and date of exit from service. This is important because in most cases, staff have been incapacitated and not able to deliver due to lack of working equipments.

Most times the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and some federations have had to borrow the least tools to enhance the athletes training. Some Secretary Generals in the Federatio’s would rather channel their focus to advantageous international trips than insist on the provision of working tools.

The credibility of who represents the federation should also, be part of his priority as credible persons will thus be his focal lens on the performance of the athletes both globally and locally. Some of the retired qualified directors can as well be made relevant to strengthen the system more so as some good professionals will someday be exiting service.

Alhaji Shehu Dikko is properly placed in global sports and understands the politics. He has touched and parted with all currencies and being a businessman that has passion for sports with human face, he wants to involve strong hands in his administration despite tribe and religion but cognizance of the fact that a man who places God first, will have his guidance and direction.

The scriptures tell us all that God blesses the work of man’s hand and at the same time we are reminded that there is no food for a lazy man in this new era of National Sports Commission.

FELLY MAMMAH N.

PRESS – NATIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION

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FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification

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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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