FCT SPORTS BOSS RALLIES PRIVATE SECTOR, DONORS TO UNLOCK YOUTH POTENTIAL THROUGH SPORTS
By Darlington Omotoso and Obed Sambe
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Sports Department has intensified calls for strategic partnerships and increased investment in sports development, urging corporate organisations, philanthropists, development partners, and international donor agencies to support efforts aimed at revitalising sporting activities and infrastructure across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The appeal was made by the outgoing Director of Sports and Acting Overseer of the FCT Youth and Sports Development Secretariat, Mr. Luka Istifanus, during an exclusive interview with Abuja Digest at his office in Area 3, Garki, Abuja.
Istifanus described sports as one of the most effective instruments for youth empowerment, social integration, talent discovery, and nation-building, stressing that sustained investment in the sector would not only produce world-class athletes but also help address youth unemployment, social vices, and insecurity.
According to him, sports remains a powerful platform for fostering discipline, teamwork, leadership, resilience, and patriotism among young people.
“Sports is not just about competition or winning medals. It is a vehicle for human development. It builds character, creates opportunities, promotes healthy living, and gives young people a sense of purpose and belonging,” he said.
The veteran sports administrator noted that although government has continued to support sporting programmes in the Territory, the growing demands of sports development require stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.
He emphasized that modern sports infrastructure, athlete development programmes, coaching education, and grassroots competitions require substantial resources that government alone cannot provide.
“We need the private sector, philanthropists, sports federations, and international donor agencies to come on board. Public-private partnerships remain the most sustainable path to sports development. With the right support and investment, FCT athletes can compete favourably at national and international levels,” he stated.
Istifanus further advocated for aggressive grassroots sports development, stressing that the future of Nigerian sports depends on discovering and nurturing talents from schools and local communities.
He called for the construction and rehabilitation of sporting facilities across the FCT and the 36 states of the federation to ensure wider access to sports participation and talent development.
Reflecting on his remarkable journey in public service, Istifanus recounted a career that has spanned over 33 years in sports administration and development.
A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, he completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Benue State between 1991 and 1992 before joining the then Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (MFCT) on November 26, 1992 as a Sports Officer on Grade Level 08 Step 2.
Within weeks of his appointment, he was assigned the responsibility of serving as Organising Secretary of the Boxing and Judo Associations, a position he held for six years.
His dedication, professionalism, and organisational abilities soon earned him additional responsibilities. Beyond boxing and judo, he was assigned to oversee the administration and coordination of several sporting associations, including badminton, tennis, table tennis, hockey, volleyball, handball, and taekwondo.
As a Sports Officer, he played a critical role in organising competitions, coordinating athletes and coaches, and promoting sports participation across the Territory.
His promotion to the rank of Assistant Director Sports marked another significant milestone in his career. In that capacity, he became Head of Facilities and was entrusted with the management and maintenance of all government-owned sports centres across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
From 2013 to 2017, he served as Deputy Director in charge of Sports Development, a strategic position that placed him at the centre of sports administration in the Territory. He supervised all sports officers employed by the FCTA and coordinated the activities of every recognised sports association operating under the Sports Department.
In that role, he worked closely with the Deputy Director (Technical) to formulate and implement programmes aimed at improving athlete performance, strengthening sports associations, and expanding grassroots participation.
His vast experience, institutional knowledge, and commitment to excellence culminated in his appointment as Director of Sports in an acting capacity on October 24, 2020.
Following a successful tenure, he was confirmed as the substantive Director of Sports on December 31, 2021 and officially assumed office on January 1, 2022.
Since then, he has provided strategic leadership for sports development in the Federal Capital Territory, overseeing athlete preparation, facility management, grassroots development initiatives, and the Territory’s participation in national sporting competitions.
In March 2026, following the resignation of the former Mandate Secretary of the Youth and Sports Development Secretariat Istifanus stepped up as Acting Overseer of the Secretariat.
Since then, he has combined the responsibilities of Director of Sports with the leadership oversight of the Secretariat, ensuring continuity in policy implementation and programme delivery.
Under his leadership, FCT athletes recorded outstanding performances at various editions of the National Youth Games held in Abeokuta, Ilorin, Asaba, and Jos, winning numerous medals and strengthening the Territory’s reputation as a hub for emerging sporting talents.
His professional career also provided opportunities to represent the FCT and Nigeria at international sporting events and engagements in Ghana, the Benin Republic, Liverpool and other countries, where he gained valuable exposure to global best practices in sports administration, athlete development, and facility management.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to sports development, he received the prestigious Award for Distinction to the FCT Sports Council on May 16, 2023.
Despite the achievements recorded over the years, Istifanus maintained that much more remains to be done to unlock the full potential of sports in Nigeria.
He commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for demonstrating commitment towards sports development through investments in infrastructure and athlete welfare.
“The Minister’s support has brought renewed hope to the sector. We are witnessing increased attention to sports facilities and athlete development. These efforts are laying a strong foundation for future success,” he said.
As he prepares to bow out of active service on August 10, 2026, Istifanus urged parents, community leaders, policymakers, and corporate organisations to view sports as a strategic investment in the nation’s future.
He also advised incoming administrators to sustain ongoing programmes, strengthen partnerships, and remain focused on youth development.
“My advice to those taking over is to remain committed, innovative, transparent, and youth-focused. Sports can transform lives, unite communities, create jobs, and promote peace. If we give it the attention it deserves, the benefits will be enormous for the FCT and the nation as a whole,” he stated.
The FCTA Sports Department reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with schools, Area Councils, sports associations, development partners, and other stakeholders to identify, nurture, and develop the next generation of sporting talents across the Federal Capital Territory.
