Sports
SWAN FCT, Turf Arena Sign Partnership Deal.
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria(SWAN), FCT chapter has secured a partnership deal with turf Arena, a foremost sporting center in Abuja.
This is one of the laudable steps taken by the Bunmi Haruna led executive of the association to reposition the body for greater productivity.
The partnership will see the two bodies forming a synergy that will help in promoting the center and their sporting activities in FCT while SWAN will on their part benefit by making use of the center for SWAN week and hopefully, for future engagements.
Speaking about the partnership deal the Chairman SWAN FCT,Bunmi Haruna said this a signpost of what is to come,and that more partnerships with the corporate world are on the way.
” We promised to give the association a new direction and we will not relent.
“Turf Arena, will surely get the milage for partnering with us and other future endeavors
“We thank all our sponsors for the recognition we have received from stakeholders and support from corporate world, these show we are in the right direction.”
He also commended the effort of Chris Onokpegu led SWANWEEK Committee for their drive while charging them not to rest on their oars but to go all out and give us the best SWANWEEK ever.
Meanwhile, Managing Director for Turf area sports center, Mohammed Kamal-Deen expressed happiness over the partnership saying it will be good for sports development in FCT.
‘I am really elated to partner with Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, FCT chapter, which is good for sports in FCT and Nigeria and also for our business,” he concluded.
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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