Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Board Member, Aisha Falode opened a one day Women Football symposium in Ekiti, on Tuesday, 18th of April 2023 at the Shores Complex, Peace House, NTA Road, Ado-Ekiti.
“Football cannot grow, if we do not have the structure, the professionalism from the grassroot. Ekiti is showing the example as how to get our young girls the proper foundation to begin to climb to that professional change in their career.
The development of women’s football in Ekiti and Nigeria as a whole was the core of discussion at the Symposium, which had other speakers in attendance. Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu, Head, Media, the Nigeria Women Senior National team, The Super Falcons, Ms Aderonke Bello, Sports For Development enthusiast, Gender Rights advocate and Executive Director, FAME Foundation.
Other speakers at the event were Mrs. Peju Babafemi, the former Ekiti State Head of Service, and Mrs. Faseluka, the Permanent Secretary, of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development
The interactive seminar was a great success in terms of exchanging ideas and analysing the strengths, weakness and opportunities for the women’s game in Ekiti.
The former CAF Media Committee Member while declaring open the Symposium, which was organized by the Ekiti Football Association noted that the story of African Football cannot be told, without the role played by Nigeria.
“It is most important for me to speak about Women’s Football in Nigeria. The story of Women’s Football in Africa cannot be told without the role played by Nigeria as a country, from being the pioneers to encouraging other women to take up the game in Africa and also setting the pace and getting our young girls involved in playing the game.
The NFF President has done alot, from the past Administration till now and has promised to continue doing much for the Women’s game.
“It is not a coincidence that we are having these kind of symposium in a year that the best in Women’s Football in the world, will be gathered in Australia & New Zealand.
“It is important for me to also note that the Super Falcons players started from home before travelling abroad to ply their trade across the world.
“Football cannot grow, if we do not have the structure, the professionalism from the grassroot, as Ekiti is showing the example as how to get our young girls the proper foundation to begin to climb to that professional change in their career.
“FIFA has deliberately and intentionally set aside what they call intervention and development fund for Women’s football, such that talents from the grassroots can be harnessed.
The event is yet another milestone for the Ekiti Football Association, in its bid to develop Women’s Football. Although it still has many challenges to overcome, to achieve greater quality and higher participation in the Women’s game.
Bayo Olalenge, the Chairman of the Ekiti Football Association, noted that the association has started to prioritize the development of the Women’s game in it’s various aspects, such as management, administration, Refereeing and organisation.
