By Emma Peter, Abuja
The Gwagwalada Area Council has kicked off a 32-team football tournament as part of activities marking the first 100 days in office of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Kasim Mohammed Ikwa.
The competition, organised by the Gwagwalada Football Council in collaboration with the Special Assistant to the Chairman on Sports and Recreational Development and under the supervision of the Supervisory Councillor on Education, Hon. Caleb D. Yakubu, commenced at the Government Day Secondary School, Gwagwalada.
The tournament brings together teams drawn from the ten wards of the Area Council, with organisers describing the competition as an avenue to promote grassroots football, discover emerging talents and strengthen unity among youths across the community.
In the opening fixture, Dukpa United faced Ejuemi FC in an entertaining encounter. Ejuemi FC broke the deadlock in the 29th minute of the first half through Ajime Benjamin. Despite efforts by both sides after the interval, neither team was able to find the back of the net again as Ejuemi FC held on to secure victory.
Speaking with journalists after the opening ceremony, Chairman Ikwa expressed delight over the tournament, describing it as a significant component of activities marking his first 100 days in office.
He commended the organisers for taking the initiative and translating his administration’s vision for youth development and sports into practical action.
According to him, his appointment of a sports professional was deliberate, stressing that he wanted the right people in the right positions to drive development in the sector.
Ikwa also disclosed that his administration was engaging relevant authorities over the proposed sporting complex within Gwagwalada, noting that the area is under the management of the Federal Capital Territory Administration despite being located within the Area Council.
The chairman said sports remained an important instrument for youth engagement, wealth creation and social development, adding that sporting activities could help reduce idleness and discourage youths from engaging in social vices.
He said the tournament would provide an opportunity for the administration to interact with residents while demonstrating what could be achieved within a short period.
Ikwa also linked sports development to the completion of the long-awaited Gwagwalada Town Hall, saying the project, whose foundation was laid in 2010, is now scheduled for commissioning on September 24, 2026.
He said his administration inherited substantial financial obligations but refused to use the situation as an excuse for failing to deliver on its promises.
“Sports is even more than just celebrating 100 days in office. Sporting activities create wealth, alleviate poverty and bring people together,” the chairman said.
He assured the sporting community that his administration would support not only football but other sporting disciplines capable of bringing residents together.
The chairman further pledged to support talented footballers from Gwagwalada who secure opportunities to join academies or professional clubs within and outside Nigeria.
He noted that the emergence of a professional footballer from Gwagwalada would not only bring personal success to the player but would also promote the identity and reputation of the Area Council.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Chairman on Sports and Recreational Development, Barrister Babatunde Akintade, said the tournament was conceived out of a desire to revive grassroots football in Gwagwalada.
Akintade, who is also Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council and a board member of the FCT Football Association, said football development had suffered setbacks in the Area Council for several years.
He explained that the decision to draw teams from the ten wards was aimed at using football as a platform for unity, talent development and community integration.
According to him, the backing of Chairman Ikwa has provided a fresh opportunity to reposition football at the grassroots.
Akintade said his office had also commenced plans to ensure that scouts could monitor the tournament and identify promising players.
He disclosed that arrangements had been made to have matches recorded and publicised so that scouts who could not physically attend the fixtures would still have access to footage of the players.
“We are optimistic that at the end of the day, one or two players will definitely move forward. That is our prayer,” he said.
The Sports Adviser also promised that the competition would not be a one-off event, insisting that plans were already in place to sustain the initiative beyond the current administration.
“As far as I continue to live, as far as strength is on my side and God is with me, I will surely ensure that this programme does not end even after my tenure. It is going to be a continuity,” Akintade said.
The Supervisory Councillor on Education, Hon. Caleb D. Yakubu, commended the Area Council Chairman for providing the political support and enabling environment for the tournament to take place.
Yakubu described the competition as a landmark development for sports in Gwagwalada and expressed confidence that Akintade would use his experience to further strengthen football in the Area Council.
He said he was particularly pleased to have the Sports Adviser working within his supervisory portfolio and prayed for greater opportunities for him to contribute to sports development.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Ibrahim Bako, praised the chairman and the Sports Adviser for reviving activities at the football ground.
Bako expressed optimism that with sustained administrative support, Gwagwalada could produce a team capable of competing at the highest level of Nigerian football.
He pointed to the growing presence of teams competing at higher levels as evidence of the football potential within the Area Council.
He said the ultimate objective should be to develop players and clubs capable of representing Gwagwalada and the FCT on bigger football stages.
The tournament is expected to provide a competitive platform for young footballers across Gwagwalada, while giving coaches and scouts an opportunity to identify players with the technical ability, pace, tactical awareness and discipline required to progress into professional football.
With the Area Council leadership pledging continuity and greater investment in sports, organisers are optimistic that the 32-team championship will become a regular grassroots football development platform in Gwagwalada.
