The chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, LOC of the Minister of FCT Volleyball Challenge, Cdre. James Aliyu Pindar (retired) said the essence of the competition is to discover talents for the national teams – U17, U21 and senior team considering the performances of the Nigerian teams at the just-concluded African Women Volleyball Club Championship hosted in Abuja.
He made this disclosure during a press briefing for the Minister of FCT Volleyball Challenge at the Press Conference of the MKO National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday.
His words, “Our vision for this year, is to select players at three layers (under 17, 21 and senior team) that would constitute standing volleyball teams in the male and female categories that would be capable of representing the FCT as a State and the Federation in all volleyball competitions.”
The man who also doubles as the FCT Volleyball Caretaker Committee Chairman said the competition which is also known as Abuja Challenge will commence on 29th of April and end on the 4th of May, 2025.
Cdre Pindar said the first edition was a huge success. “The Association of FCT Volleyball Clubs within the FCT and environs numbering about 37, is organizing the 2nd edition of the FCT Volleyball Challenge after the maiden edition in 2024, that was a huge success. As part of its calendar of events, the Minister of the FCT Volleyball Challenge for 2025, is scheduled to hold from tomorrow 30th April-4th May 2025.”
He said the recent hosting of the African Women Clubs Championship with the support and magnanimity of the CG Customs re-energized volleyball skills, thoughts and perceptions that would remain in the minds of stakeholders for a very long time.
Pindar also revealed that they are planning a ‘Catch Them Young’ (Under 17) FCT Volleyball Challenge 2025′, scheduled from 1st to 7th of September 2025.
He continued, “We will organize FCT Beach Volleyball Challenge 2025′, and a Sensitization Seminar where players, referees and coaches would be brought together under one roof. It would be rounded up with a Fund Raising Dinner, scheduled from 1st to 7th November 2025.
“The aim of these competitions is to foster good and friendly relationships amongst volleyball players and enthusiasts within the FCT and environs. The competitions are also targeted at positively engaging the youths and identifying talented volleyball players and develop their capacity to be able to play at both National and International levels,” he said.
Pindar further noted, “Other objectives include sensitising and engaging the youths in volleyball activities within the FCT in view of the security challenges in the country. The volleyball challenge is also our own contribution in support of National Youths Development and National Security.
“It is worthy to note that in the maiden edition last year, we had a total of 30 Clubsides with 30 male and 21 female teams that participated. But this year, we have an increase of which 33 Clubsides, comprising 32 male and 22 female teams, would be participating. It is pertinent to note that all the matches would be played both at the outdoor and indoor courts of the Package B, Moshood Abiola Stadium complex,” Cdre. Pindar noted.
He concluded by saying that teams will be well-catered for, with grants and certificates for all the 53 Participating teams, apart from trophies, medals and cash prizes for overall winners. He also disclosed that the matches will be beamed live on international media hence he urged players to be fair, disciplined and lift the standard of the game high.
