Sports

Naija Ratels Paulina Ali Reveals Key Moments On Her Path To Becoming Captain.

Published

4 years ago

May 4, 2021

Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship side Naija Ratels Captain Paulina Ali has shown real character as the leader of the team ever since she was made captain over two years ago.

The charismatic defender recently revealed how she started the round leather game as a kid and how her parents never supported her in the beginning.

The young player believes that she has grown as a leader and player in Naija Ratels and owes the club alot of responsibilities, reasons why she never left the club, despite receiving offers from some of the biggest teams in the NWFL Premiership.

“For me, Football is the only thing that makes me happy. Football is life and am glad I can do what I love doing here at Naija Ratels.

“I started out with volleyball and was very good at it, until one of my teachers at Padopads Secondary School, Makurdi convinced me to start playing soccer, probably because of my height. I fell in love with the game afterwards and never looked back.

“Just like many young women footballers, my parents never supported me playing football. My mum was always against it and punish me at times. But I was determined and wanted to achieve something great with the game and that pushed me to be where I am today, even though I know i still have a long way to go.

“I must confess that I have improved tremendously, both as a person and a player under Naija Ratels and we all have special love for the club and President, Barrister Paul Edeh, who stands as a father figure to all of us.

“We owe the club and the President alot and that’s why we are so dedicated and determined to always win all our games.

On being Captain of a Championship team at a very young age, Paulina said it has been tasking, but yet rewarding.

“Being a leader means you have to be always ready to lay down good examples. It has been tasking, but yet very rewarding. It has made me grow positively as a person and see life in a different perspective. It also makes me work harder on the pitch, because I always want to win games and excel in everything I do and this is the same mentality I pass on to every member of the team.”

“I have told the girls that they need to do something extra- ordinary when the Championship season starts. We know our aim and our ability as dedicated and hardworking players will always stand out and work for us. We are focused and only aiming at setting a great record.” She concluded.

Naija Ratels will be playing in the NWFL Championship season later this year and will be aiming at gaining promotion to the elite league at their first trial.

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Sports

“ This Award Gives Me Hope” Makanjuola Nureni Honoured for His Dedication to Nigerian Sports

Published

2 hours ago

November 1, 2025

The Gleamer

Abuja-based football administrator and philanthropist, Makanjuola Nureni, has been honoured with the Distinguished Service Award by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in recognition of his outstanding support to sports journalism and his immense contributions to sports development in Nigeria.

The prestigious award was presented on Friday in Abuja during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration held in Abuja, marking 60 years of promoting sports journalism and excellence across the nation.

Expressing his gratitude after receiving the honour, Makanjuola Nureni described the award as a source of inspiration and renewed motivation to continue his lifelong commitment to youth and grassroots sports.

“This award gives me hope and motivation to do more. It’s a source of inspiration to me and my supporters, and I believe it will encourage us to invest more in youth sports development in Nigeria,” he said.

He added that the recognition serves as a morale booster after decades of hard work and silent impact in the sports community.

“I feel happy and fulfilled because we have been doing this for decades, and many times, our efforts went unnoticed. But I thank God that SWAN recognized people like us,” Nureni expressed.

Makanjuola Nureni is the founder and owner of Water FC Academy, a renowned football institution based in Abuja that focuses on discovering, nurturing, and empowering young Nigerian talents.

Through Water FC, he has developed and sponsored numerous players who have gone on to represent Nigeria’s national teams and play professionally in clubs across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

His consistency, passion, and investment in the development of young athletes have made him a key figure in Nigerian grassroots football.

In presenting the award, SWAN commended Nureni’s unwavering dedication to the growth of sports and his continuous support for sports journalism and youth empowerment.

The association highlighted his decades-long service to football development and described him as a true partner in the promotion of excellence within Nigerian sports.

The SWAN Diamond Jubilee Celebration brought together prominent figures from sports administration, the media, and government sectors to honour individuals and organizations whose contributions have advanced sports development and journalism in Nigeria.

Nureni’s recognition stands out as a testament to his vision, consistency, and commitment to creating opportunities for young athletes and strengthening the foundation of Nigerian football.

With this honour, Makanjuola Nureni further cements his legacy as one of the foremost private contributors to sports growth and youth development in Nigeria.

His story continues to inspire a new generation of sports administrators and philanthropists dedicated to transforming Nigerian sports from the grassroots up.

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