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
Badminton Federation of Nigeria Targets Grassroots Growth, Coaches’ Capacity Building
Joel Ajayi
The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, says the federation has launched an ambitious reform programme anchored on structured planning, grassroots development, and long-term athlete progression across all levels of the sport.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, after two-day retreat at ANOCA building where board members, technical experts, and stakeholders gathered under the theme: Repositioning Badminton for Sustainable Growth’ gathered to chart a way forward for the Game.
Orbih said the sessions were designed to align stakeholders on a unified four-year strategic roadmap focused on improving governance, strengthening performance systems, and expanding participation nationwide.
He noted that key priorities discussed include technical development, coaching education, athlete welfare, and a more coordinated grassroots structure through school-based programmes.
According to him, the federation has approved the creation of 11 committees to drive implementation of its reforms, with emphasis on accountability, coordination, and measurable performance outcomes.
“We wanted a collective approach where decisions are jointly owned and implemented, with clear and measurable results.
‘’A major pillar of the plan is grassroots badminton development, particularly in schools.’’
He explained that while outreach programmes have existed, the federation is now shifting toward a more structured and data-driven approach with wider national coverage.
Orbih disclosed that the federation currently reaches an average of 25 to 30 schools per zonal outreach programme, but plans are underway to expand coverage across more states and increase consistency of engagement.
He also highlighted gaps in coaching capacity, noting that the number of certified coaches in Nigeria remains relatively low compared to other countries. The federation, he said, will intensify coaching education and certification programmes to close the gap and improve technical standards.
“We have over 100 coaches in Nigeria, but many are not actively engaged in continuous training. We want to strengthen that system and raise the standard,” he added.
The BFN president further confirmed the introduction of structured age-grade development pathways, covering under-12, under-15, under-19, and other youth categories to ensure seamless progression from grassroots to elite level.
President added that, federation plans to organise more age-group tournaments to sustain player development and improve competitive exposure.
Speaking also, the Technical Director of the federation, Tunde Kashim, also emphasised that the technical department remains central to the reform agenda, describing it as the “engine room” of badminton development in the country.
He said the department is reviewing player databases, coaching structures, and competition pathways to ensure a stronger performance system.
Kashim added that efforts will be made to upgrade coaching levels across the country, including progression through certification tiers, while also addressing the declining number of active coaches in the system.
He further revealed plans to expand youth competitions across multiple age categories, including under-12, under-15, under-16, and under-19 levels, aimed at strengthening the talent pipeline from schools to elite competition.
According to him, the federation is also working with state stakeholders to improve facilities and increase participation, while preparing for upcoming national and continental engagements.
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