In a heartfelt address following the prestigious Newstap/SWAN Five Star Sports Awards ceremony, Dr. Paul Edeh Esq, the chairman of the Benue State Football Association, has called on women in Nigeria to take an active role in establishing women’s football teams.
Edeh dedicated his award to the promotion of women’s football, a sector he believes is ripe for growth and development.
The awards, which celebrated outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s sports ecosystem, highlighted the tireless efforts of individuals and organizations in various sports fields. Edeh, the founding figure behind two of Nigeria’s prominent women’s football clubs – Naija Ratels and Benue Queens – lauded the organizers for their fair and thorough evaluation of the nominees. He expressed optimism that their recognition would motivate awardees to enhance their contributions to the sports community.
“I am dedicating this award to our women footballers to enable them to do more in the game,” Edeh remarked. ”
They’ve conquered Africa many times and have also performed commendably on the world stage. I want them to maintain this momentum.”
However, his keynote address also included a poignant observation about the current landscape of women’s football in Nigeria. Edeh expressed his astonishment at the limited participation of women in initiating football clubs, stating, “It’s surprising that it’s men that are setting up women’s football club sides in the country while our well-to-do women are sitting on the bench watching.”
He urged wealthy and influential women to take action, positing that the establishment of women’s teams would not just promote the sport but also create job opportunities for young girls, thereby fostering a culture of empowerment and self-sufficiency.
“I challenge our women folk to start thinking of floating women teams,” he declared, emphasizing that such efforts would significantly contribute to the growth of women’s football and provide much-needed visibility and support for female athletes.
Edeh’s passionate appeal arrives at a crucial time when the need for more female representation in sports leadership is increasingly recognized. With his commitment to women’s football, Edeh aims to inspire a new wave of involvement among women, ensuring that the future of Nigerian women’s football is as vibrant and successful as its past achievements.
As the sports community reflects on the recent awards and the potential impact of Edeh’s calls to action, it remains to be seen how quickly and effectively women in Nigeria will respond to the challenge of developing their own football teams.
