By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
The Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCT FA) has reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots development as the second edition of the FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Council Football Tournament got underway in Abuja.
FCT FA Chairman, Adam Mohammed, said the competition is designed to discover, nurture and promote young female football talents across the six Area Councils of the FCT, while creating a pathway for them to develop within the football system.
Mouktar, who spoke at the opening ceremony, said the Association would not wait for clubs and scouts to discover talents after they have developed elsewhere, stressing that the tournament provides players with the opportunity to play, improve and become part of the football ecosystem.
“Female football needs talents, and the FCT is towing this direction because there are many of them in the Area Councils. That is why the FA is taking the bull by the horns to make sure these talents are unearthed, nurtured and showcased to the world,” he said.
He added that taking the tournament to all six Area Councils was deliberate, as it would give players in rural communities a sense of belonging and ensure football development extends beyond the city centre.
The FCT FA chairman also highlighted the wider benefits of women’s football, noting that the sport can help keep young people away from social vices while promoting discipline, courage, determination and sacrifice.
Also present at the opening ceremony was the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Ayo Omidiran, who described grassroots development as the foundation for sustained success in women’s football.
Omidiran said competitions of this nature can empower young girls, build their confidence and provide them with opportunities to pursue football as a career.
She called on individuals and organisations to invest more in women’s football, while urging stakeholders to work together to rebuild the sport’s structures across Nigeria.
Meanwhile, FCT FA board member, Dr Pat Ajuma Ayegba, said the tournament was deliberately designed to tap into the wealth of football talent across the Area Councils.
Ayegba explained that the success of the first edition had shown the potential of the competition, with several players discovered through the initiative already making significant progress in their careers.
She said the second edition, which adopts a home-and-away format, is also aimed at getting more girls off the streets, encouraging them to see football as a viable career and convincing parents of the opportunities available through the sport.
According to Ayegba, talents identified during the tournament will form part of the pool from which the FCT women’s football team will be developed.
The tournament opened in emphatic fashion, with Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) thrashing Gwagwalada Area Council 7–0 in the opening match.
With all six Area Councils competing for honours, the tournament is expected to provide a strong platform for the emergence of the next generation of female football stars from the FCT.
