Fame Foundation Scores Big For International Women’s Day 2026 With Football Tourney

The air in Abuja was electric yesterday as the 9th annual Fame Foundation Women’s Day Football Tournament commenced, celebrating International Women’s Day with a powerful display of athleticism and unity.

Executive Director, Arabinrin Aderonke, expressed immense joy at the growing presence of women in a sport traditionally dominated by men, highlighting the significant societal shift underway.

“I am so much in happiness to see women these days in football more than men,” Aderonke stated, emphasizing the symbolic importance of women taking to the field.

She noted the impressive participation of Nigerian women, particularly from the northern regions, as a beacon of future change. “You can see a woman being active and changing with the game of a football. The change with each football, with each kick, with each hit. You will see a change because it impacts other ones.”

The tournament, which has seen thousands of participants over the years, aims to leverage the unifying power of sports in Nigeria’s diverse landscape. “Nigeria is heterogeneous in nature, and the only thing that unifies in Nigeria is sports,” Aderonke explained, pointing out how national team games transcend religious, tribal, and ethnic divides.

Aderonke revealed that the overwhelming enthusiasm of women to play football is her primary motivation. “What pushes me is the willingness of the women to play football, willingness of the women to come together on a day like this to do sports and we’re not going to stop.”

She highlighted how the tournament has successfully bridged societal gaps, bringing together women from all walks of life, from lawyers to those from IDP camps. The tournament is exclusively for amateurs, fostering a fun and inclusive environment where laughter and camaraderie are as important as the game itself.

Fame Foundation, as a Civil Society Organization, also uses the platform to engage with government. The presence of the Women Affairs Minister at the event underscored the foundation’s commitment to driving policy changes and collaborating with the government to implement initiatives that benefit citizens.

Aderonke emphasized the role of NGOs in “checkmating the government to implement the right policies that will benefit the populace,” and ensuring that promises made on Women’s Day translate into tangible action for women and girls.

In her address, the minister of women Affairs, Suleiman-Ibrahim, lauded the Fame Foundation for their consistent efforts and commended the participating teams. “I commend them, applaud them. I congratulate Fame Foundation on this ninth edition of the International Women’s Day football tournament,” she stated. “As we are aware, Nigerian women are phenomenal. They are energetic, they are smart. We have to engage them from every angle.”

The Minister emphasized the current administration’s unprecedented focus on women’s issues. “Mr. President has made issues surrounding women central, not an afterthought. This is unprecedented. We must thank Mr. President, we must applaud him,” she said, assuring continued support for the Fame Foundation to explore and support women’s innovation and creativity.

She highlighted the significant domestic investments and prioritization of the women’s agenda under the current leadership, noting, “Nigerian women are happy.”

The Minister also linked the tournament to the President’s declaration of 2026 as the “Year of the Family and Social Development,” explaining that strengthening homes leads to stronger and more secure communities.

Suleiman-Ibrahim celebrated Nigeria’s sporting achievements, particularly in women’s football and basketball, citing the Falcons and Tigress’s consecutive victories in the Women’s African Cup of Nations and Women’s Afrobasket. She affirmed the government’s commitment to engaging women in various sports and digital sectors to pave the way for leadership.

Concluding her remarks, the Minister shared an encouraging message for all women and girl children: “We’re going to reach out to them and they also reach out to us, we’re going to get it right.” She hinted at numerous upcoming programs for women in both grassroots and urban areas, promising “something for everyone.” The Minister concluded by declaring, “It’s truly the women’s o’clock.”