Omidiran pledges stronger partnership with FCT FA to boost grassroots sports development
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has pledged to collaborate with the FCT Football Association (FCT FA) and the FCT Sports Department to strengthen grassroots sports development, talent identification and youth engagement across the Federal Capital Territory.
Omidiran made the commitment when FCT FA Chairman Alhaji Abba Mouktar Mohammed, accompanied by members of the board and management, and Acting Director of Sports, FCT Sports Department, Mr. Iyiola Ogundele, paid her a courtesy visit at the FCC headquarters in Abuja.
Discussions focused on using sports as a tool for youth development, social inclusion and talent discovery, while also increasing the participation of the six Area Councils in sporting activities.
The meeting came shortly after Omidiran attended the opening ceremony of the FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Council Tournament at the Area 3 Football Pitch, where defending champions AMAC defeated Gwagwalada 7-0.
Speaking during the visit, Omidiran said she was determined to make the FCT a leading hub for discovering and nurturing sporting talents across various disciplines.
“I want FCT to be the arrowhead of any detection of sporting talents, not only football but all sports. We have to be intentional and serious, and we have to see sports as something that can make Nigeria richer,” she said.
She also called for greater attention to sports facilities and coaching at the grassroots, particularly.
“We also have to fight for the employment of coaches in schools. We can start by turning teachers who have knowledge of particular sports into coaches while we work towards bringing in professional coaches,” she added.
The proprietor of Omidiran Babes and former NFF Executive Committee member said her involvement in football was driven by a desire to use sport to transform the lives of young people, particularly girls.
“I didn’t go into football to become an NFF board member or anything. I just wanted to use football to better the lives of some people,” she said.
Omidiran, who was also a pioneer member of the FIFA Women’s Football Committee, expressed concern over Nigeria’s recent struggles in women’s football, particularly the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
She called for renewed investment, strategic planning and collective leadership to restore Nigeria’s position on the international stage.
“I am in deep pains seeing that Nigeria can’t even qualify for the Women’s World Cup. If there is any time for anyone to try to change things, this is the time,” she stated.
Earlier, FCT FA chairman Mouktar Mohammed commended Omidiran for her contributions to sports and expressed the association’s desire to establish a stronger partnership with the FCC.
“We are very grateful and honoured to partner with you in as many ways as possible. You are a leader, a pillar and someone who has sacrificed so much,” Mouktar said.
He added that the partnership would help mobilise the Area Councils and increase the FCT’s participation in national sporting programmes.
Meanwhile, Ogundele said the proposed collaboration would extend talent identification beyond football and create structured opportunities for young athletes across the FCT.
He noted that children with natural abilities in areas such as balance and coordination could be identified early and developed in sports including gymnastics and other disciplines.
The stakeholders agreed that stronger institutional collaboration would be crucial to building a sustainable grassroots sports development structure in the FCT.
Join the Savid News channel on WhatsApp:
