NFF backs Girls Play Sports Football Tournament Initiative
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced its full support for the Girls Play Sports Football Tournament, an initiative created by Honorable Ayo Omidiran and organized by the Ayomidiran Foundation.
During a visit by the Tournament’s Organizing Committee to the NFF Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, Secretary General of the NFF, spoke on behalf of NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau. He highlighted the importance of the tournament for women’s football in Nigeria.
Dr. Sanusi said, “The NFF, under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, is committed to making it mandatory for all Premiership clubs to establish women’s football teams. This initiative comes at the right time for the advancement of women’s football in Nigeria and aligns with its FIFA-funded Talent Development Scheme.”
Praising Honorable Omidiran, he added, “You’ll face opposition when you start promoting women’s football, but you have to remain focused. Critics may have the loudest voices, but the silent supporters are many. Your next step is to work closely with the NFF Technical Department to ensure the success of this program.”
Honorable Omidiran, CEO and Founder of the Ayomidiran Foundation, expressed her gratitude to the NFF, saying, “Organizing a competition like this would not be complete without the official recognition and backing of the NFF. The Ayomidiran Foundation has always been dedicated to the development of women, particularly through sports. Football has opened many doors for young girls, and it is essential to provide them with opportunities to excel.”
She continued, “We aim to identify and nurture talent at the grassroots level. With technical teams at every center, we can spot potential and guide these girls towards professional careers. Our project, GIRLS PLAY SPORTS, starts with football, but we plan to expand into other sports like athletics. Our ultimate goal is to enable girls to pursue sports as a means of livelihood, contributing to the pool of professional players.”
Emphasising the social and economic benefits of the event, she said, “This tournament is not just about sports; it aims to take girls off the streets and away from social vices, including violence. Many of our girls playing football internationally are now the breadwinners for their families. We want to encourage more girls to see sports as a viable career path. By the end of this tournament, we hope to have opened new opportunities for many young girls.”
The Girls Play Sports Football Tournament is set to be a major step forward for women’s football in Nigeria, with the strong backing of the NFF and the dedication of the organizers.
