The President and Founder of HerGame Foundation, Dr Pat Ajuma Ayegba, says she expects the 2026 FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Council Football Tournament to unearth a new generation of talented female footballers capable of progressing to the professional and international stage.
Ayegba, also a Board Member of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCT FA), spoke ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on Friday, August 21, with six Area Councils competing for honours.
The competition, organised by the FCT FA, is designed to strengthen women’s football at the grassroots while giving young female players competitive exposure and a pathway into the professional game. Ayegba said the tournament has already proved its worth as a talent-discovery platform, pointing to promising players who emerged from last year’s edition.
‘We are hoping to see new talents. We are hoping to have new emerging professionals, international stars,’ she said. ‘I am excited because last year, we found some good talents from this particular tournament. We saw some newbies, and I want to see their progress this year. A lot more is expected.’
She commended the FCT FA for its preparation and support for the participating teams. ‘To be honest with you, FCT FA has come up, and they are doing well with the whole preparation,’ she said.
Ayegba also disclosed that HerGame Foundation contributed directly to last year’s competition, revealing she personally supported each participating team with ?120,000. ‘Last year personally, I supported the teams with ?120,000 each, of which I saw the FA taking it up from there. And this is a lot. This is a lot. The FA has supported us a lot to make this happen, so we are grateful,’ she said.
The 2026 tournament will feature all six FCT Area Councils, split into two groups. Bwari, Gwagwalada and AMAC make up Group A, while Abaji, Kuje and Kwali form Group B. The group stage will be played on a home-and-away basis, with the semi-finals set for September 2 and the final on September 5.
Ayegba confirmed that Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, will attend the opening ceremony, describing her as a strong supporter of women’s football and girl-child development whose backing could help create further opportunities for young girls through the sport. Ayegba said her visit to the FCC chairman was aimed at building a stronger partnership around women’s football development, and she was pleased with Omidiran’s response.
‘She has done so much for us. To whom honour is due, honour should be given. I came here today to see her in person, and she is actually a jolly good fellow,’ Ayegba said. ‘She is more than what I have heard of-a true supporter, one who has heart for the game of football, like myself. Like I have heard, I saw it myself today.’
With the opening ceremony set for Friday, Ayegba believes the tournament can be more than a contest for Area Council bragging rights, serving instead as a scouting ground for players who go on to represent the FCT, professional clubs and the national teams.