Sports
FIFA Advocates More Investment In Women’s Football In Africa
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino has called for more investments in women’s football to ensure greater opportunities for the female, while boosting the game in Africa.
Infantino said this on Wednesday while fielding questions from journalists before the kick-off of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament in Lagos.
The tournament is scheduled to begin at 4.00 p.m. on Sept. 15 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan, Lagos.
According to the FIFA president, the tournament would help boost the women’s game in the continent.
“I am looking forward to seeing entertainment, to see great football here in Lagos, Nigeria. A greater percentage of the population in Africa are women, so, we hope to see a great game, to expand female football in the continent.
“We need to push and make women football bigger and a revenue-generating venture, and more investment in female football.”
The tournament tagged: ”Playing for Good”, was organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Aisha Buhari Foundation (ABF), to drum up support for women and girl-child empowerment for better opportunities.
The weeklong competition is featuring six selected teams from Africa including, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Black Queens of Ghana, Atlas Lionesses of Morocco, the female Eagles of Mali, Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon and Banyana Banyana of South Africa.
Sports
Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches
…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy
By Joel Ajayi
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.
“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.
He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.
Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.
Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.
“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.
“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.
The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.
In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.
Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.
The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.
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