Sports
Why We’re Introducing Young Players to Volleyball for Empowerment and a Brighter Future – Pindar
Joel Ajayi
Chairman of the FCT Volleyball Association Commodore James Aliyu Pindar (RTD) has reaffirmed his commitment to discovering young talents and creating job opportunities through volleyball across the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.
Speaking during the ongoing 2025 CAVB U-18 Beach Volleyball Continental Cup in Abuja, Pinder—who is also an aspirant in the upcoming Nigeria Volleyball Federation elections—emphasized that volleyball is not only a sport but a platform for youth empowerment and career development.
“My goal is to expose more young players, create job opportunities, and prove that volleyball can be a viable career path,” he said. “We’ve made significant progress in the FCT, and I want to replicate that success across the entire North Central zone.”
Pindar, expressed confidence in the region’s potential to excel in the sport at national and international levels.
“We’re even considering setting up a dedicated North Central team to participate in national leagues and possibly the African Club Championship. We have the talent; what we need now is coordination and support,” he added.
He revealed that the FCT Volleyball Association is already planning to host an end-of-year beach volleyball tournament, which he described as a key part of efforts to grow the sport at the grassroots level.
“Every club in the FCT will be encouraged to have a beach volleyball team. That’s why we’ve brought in younger players today—many of them students on holiday—to get them involved early,” he said.
Pindar also highlighted previous initiatives under his leadership, such as the CNS Program, which helped secure employment for talented players, allowing them to build sustainable careers through volleyball.”
He reiterated his inclusive approach to talent development, noting that his focus is strictly on ability and potential, not background.
“I don’t discriminate based on state, religion, or ethnicity. What matters to me is a player’s talent and willingness to grow. I will always support such individuals, no matter where they’re from.”
With these initiatives, Pindar hopes to transform the volleyball landscape in the FCT and the entire North Central zone, using sport as a vehicle for youth development, unity, and employment.
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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