Sports

53 Clubs Ready to Participate At 2025 FCT Volleyball Challenge Season 2

Published

5 months ago

April 29, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

The grassroots volleyball tournament known as the FCT Volleyball Challenge, popularly referred to as the Abuja Volleyball Challenge, is set to deliver thrilling action as 53 teams—comprising 32 male and 21 female clubs—clash in the highly anticipated Season 2 of the championship.

The event, scheduled to take place from April 30 to May 4, 2025, will be held at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Package B, and promises to be a showcase of raw talent and intense competition.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, Commodore James Aliyu Pindar (Rtd), Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the FCT Volleyball Caretaker Committee, expressed excitement about the upcoming event, noting that this year’s edition will be a massive upgrade from the inaugural season.

“The aim of these competitions is to foster good and friendly relationships among volleyball players and enthusiasts within the FCT and its environs,” he said. “It also seeks to positively engage youths and identify talented players for development at both national and international levels.”

He added that the tournament also plays a vital role in youth sensitization, security awareness, and national development through sport.

The competition is designed to form standing FCT volleyball teams capable of representing the region in national and international competitions.

The LOC Chairman also revealed additional events in the FCT Volleyball calendar, including:‘Catch Them Young’ U-17 FCT Volleyball Challenge – September 1–7, 2025, FCT Beach Volleyball Challenge 2025.

Sensitization Seminar for players, referees, and coaches, culminating in a Fundraising Dinner from November 1–7, 2025.

Notably, the 2025 tournament will see increased participation from 53 clubsides (32 male and 21 female), with matches played across both the indoor and outdoor courts of the stadium.

Highlighting the benefits for participating teams, Pindar listed: Participation grants for all 53 teams, Trophies for overall winners, Medals and cash prizes for teams finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, Individual awards for outstanding players (six male and six female), MVP T-shirts from the quarterfinal stage onward.

Others includes, Certificates of participation for all clubs, Water as well as incentives for teams during matches.

With such incentives and planning, the FCT Volleyball Challenge Season 2 promises to be a significant sporting event in Nigeria’s volleyball calendar.

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Sports

FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification

Published

42 mins ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

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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