WOMEN FOOTBALL: Aisha Falode to revive NWPL

Photo credit: www.weecnigeria.org

It was back-slapping galore last Friday in Port Harcourt as the South South Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation met to address pressing football issues ahead of elections into some arms of the football fraternity in the
country.

The meeting which was held at Aldgate Hotel, Perekule Street, GRA Phase 2 in the Garden City, had all the Chairmen and Secretaries, including other stakeholders of the South South football community in attendance. It was convened by the Rivers FA boss and Chairman of at least two NFF Sub-committees, Barrister Christopher Green. He is also an Executive Committee member of the NFF.

After robust discussion of members from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and River State, the congress unanimously agreed that first rate women’s sportscaster and football administrator, Aisha Falode, be adopted as the zone’s candidate for the forthcoming Nigerian Women’s League election.

The communiqué described Falode as not only passionate and knowledgeable about the game, with cognate international experience, they also believed she has the capacity to help revive the dwindling fortunes of women football in the country by attracting sponsorship for the game, instead of the present situation that has seen complaints being hauled at the NFF leadership for not providing money for the women’s game in the country.

The South South NFF Congress urged other geo-political zones to join it in reviving the Women’s game in the country. “We are sure our brothers and sisters from other zones will join hands with us to give new direction to Women’s football in the country as it has suffered in recent times”.

The congress also passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, saying under Amaju Pinnick, it has done well through victories at the U17 World Cup, qualification for various tournaments including the Women’s U17 World Cup and the Super Eagles continued battle to make it to the next World Cup in Russia and the upcoming Afcon Championship in Gabon.

The congress after making some committee appointments restated its commitment to the growth and development of Nigerian football, declaring that it believed the country has the capacity not only to be the best in Africa but one of the best in the world.