Omidiran tasks FCT FA, Sports Department on grassroots talent discovery

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hulayat Omidiran, has called on the FCT Football Association (FCT FA) and the FCT Sports Department to make grassroots talent discovery a priority across the Federal Capital Territory.

Mrs Omidiran also pledged to collaborate with the two bodies to strengthen grassroots sports development, talent identification and youth engagement across the territory.

She made the commitment when the FCT FA Chairman, Abba Mukthar, accompanied by members of the board and management, and the Acting Director of Sports, FCT Sports Department, Iyiola Ogundele, paid her a courtesy visit at the FCC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

The discussions focused on using sports to promote youth development, social inclusion, talent discovery and greater participation by the six Area Councils in sporting activities.

The meeting came days after Mrs 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 last Friday.

‘We have to be intentional’

Speaking at the meeting, Mrs Omidiran said she was committed to making the FCT a leading centre for discovering and nurturing sporting talents across different disciplines.

She urged the FCT Sports Department to pursue the establishment and strengthening of functional sports facilities and activities, while promising to support efforts to secure the necessary institutional and budgetary backing.

“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.

“We also have to fight for the employment of coaches in schools. We can start…