A pioneer in women’s football club sponsorship in Nigeria, Honourable Ayo Omidiran, under the auspices of the Ayomidiran Foundation, has initiated the process of producing the next generation of women football stars with the launch of her project, “Girls Play Sports” Women’s Football Tournament, Completesports.com reports.
The former board member of the Nigeria Football Federation and CEO of the Ayomidiran Foundation expressed her delight at the launch of the “Girls Play Sports” program during a press conference held at the NFF Technical Centre in Abuja on Tuesday.
“This ‘Girls Play Sports’ initiative is designed to promote and empower young girls through football. It aims to provide a developmental platform, minimize social vices among young girls, and foster unity across Nigeria,” Omidiran, a two-time House of Representatives member, told the media.
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“The ‘Girls Play Sports’ Women’s Football Tournament is more than just a tournament; it is a movement aimed at fostering equality, building confidence, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, and providing opportunities through sports for our young girls.”
She continued, “By involving grassroots teams from both the North and South of Nigeria, we seek to minimize social vices among young girls, promote unity and inclusivity through the love of football, and produce the next generation of players to replace the current stars.”
“With the support of the Nigeria Football Federation, our partners, and women’s football stakeholders, we aim to create a lasting impact on these young girls’ lives. We are excited about the journey ahead and look forward to witnessing the significant talent discovery and development that will emerge from this championship,” said the proprietor of Omidiran Babes Football Club.
Responding, Dr. Muhammad Sanusi, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, who represented the NFF President, praised the initiative for aligning with the administration’s agenda for women’s football development. He lauded Honourable Omidiran for her pivotal role and remarkable contributions to supporting the women’s game.
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“To us at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), this is a welcome idea. The board of the NFF supports the FIFA vision of football development with various league programs and a focus on ‘catch them young.’ This is the right step in the right direction. This program will greatly impact the grassroots and help elevate the standard of women’s football in Nigeria. I will ensure that the Director of the Technical Department and Competitions engages with this laudable program,” stated the NFF scribe.
The inaugural championship will run from August 30 to September 30, 2024, with eight teams advancing to the Northern and Southern playoff finals from the preliminary rounds in the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Registration is free and will open to non-league clubs via the Ayomidiran Foundation website from July 24 and will close on August 23. Teams will have one month to train and prepare, with a maximum of 30 players per team. Draws and fixtures will be determined after the registration period ends.
By Richard Jideaka, Abuja
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