JOURNALS

ABSTRACT

Youths continue to engage in social vices (drug abuse, cultism and crimes) despite the potentials of sports (like football). While private football clubs have continued to target these youths, their survival depends on funding, scouting networks, and government support so as to not only maintain their support for youths, but contribute towards the reduction of youth participation in these social vices. This study, examines the experiences of a One Big Family Football Club in her attempt to stay afloat despite overwhelming challenges in youth talent development for sustainable development. Using qualitative content analysis and primary data obtained via semi-structured interviews, this study captures the experiences of a private football club in the Nyanya area of the federal capital territory (FCT), Nigeria. We find that using models of its annual competition, scouting network, and private finances, the One Big Family Football Clubs attempts to link youth and talent development towards sustainable development in Nigeria. We conclude that efforts towards sport facilities infrastructural development via public-private partnerships can add to already existing strides made by One Big Family Football Club, while ideation of backward and forward linkages in sports for sustainable development is require.