Sports
Sports Minister Arrives Asaba, Joins Gov Okowa To Receive Torch of Unity
The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has today, Tuesday, November 29, 2022 arrived Asaba the Delta State Capital, venue of the 21st edition of the National Sports Festival.
On his arrival, the Minister and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, joined the Executive Governor of Delta State Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa to receive the Torch of Unity after touring the 36 States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The event signifies the commencement of the festival with its arrival in Asaba the host State.
The 21st National Sports Festival Torch of Unity commenced its movement after it was flagged off by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
The President who was represented at the occasion by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, stated that the Sports Festival was the engine room that has produced great Nigerian Sporting Champions who have written the name of the country in gold.
With the opening ceremony scheduled to hold at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba tomorrow, the country is set to witness the emergence of more budding talents who will fly the nation’s flag higher at the global level.
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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