By Andrew Abah
The Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Kasim Ikwa, has pledged to transform Gwagwalada into a major sporting hub in Nigeria through deliberate investment in sports and the development of grassroots talents.
Ikwa made the commitment during the opening ceremony of the football tournament organised by the Office of the Special Assistant on Sports and Recreation to mark his first 100 days in office.
The chairman said his administration would identify sporting talents across the 10 wards of the Area Council and provide the necessary support to enable them reach their full potential.
“When I appointed Barrister Babatunde Akintade as my Special Assistant on Sports and Recreation, I knew what he could bring to the table, and that is exactly what he has exhibited in this tournament.
“This is just a tip of the iceberg. We are very determined to make Gwagwalada the centre of sports in the FCT and Nigeria in general,” Ikwa said.
On the abandoned stadium in Gwagwalada, the chairman acknowledged that the facility was a project of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and was not solely under the control of the Area Council.
However, he promised to engage the relevant authorities with a view to ensuring the completion of the facility, stressing that youths in the Area Council needed adequate sporting infrastructure to develop their skills.
“Sports is a very important sector that not only enhances good health conditions, it also empowers the youths in all ramifications,” he added.
Ikwa also promised that the final of the tournament would be given special attention and would be made a major sporting event in Gwagwalada.
The initiator of the tournament, Barrister Babatunde Akintade, popularly known as Bocknor, expressed appreciation to the council chairman for incorporating the competition into his 100-day programme.
Akintade pledged his continued support for the chairman’s vision of making Gwagwalada a leading sports destination in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Supervisory Councillor on Education, Hon. Caleb Yakubu, commended Ikwa for demonstrating commitment to sports development and urged the participating youths to maximise the opportunity provided by the tournament to showcase their talents.
The opening match produced an entertaining contest, with Ejiwumi FC defeating Dukpa FC 1–0.
A total of 34 teams representing the 10 wards of Gwagwalada Area Council are participating in the tournament, with the final scheduled for September 25, 2026.
