NO fewer than fifteen states have been signed up for the maiden edition of the Muslimat Adegbe Sanusi Memorial National U-17 Female Football tournament in Oyo State.
The participating states are Lagos, Edo, Osun, Kano, AkwaIbom, Nasarawa, Kwara amongst others.
Also, the tournament which is a collaboration between the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, (YSFON), Southwest and Ilaji Stadium and Resort Centre would hold from Sunday, July 1st- Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Ilaji Stadium and Resort Center, Akanran, in Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Addressing journalists during a press conference held at Ilaji Stadium and Resort Centre on Monday in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, the National Secretary, Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Mr Patrick Okpavuerhe lamented that the female football has suddenly taken the back seat in Nigeria because less attention is given to its grassroots development, adding that ” we cannot expect to be doing things the same way and expect different results”.
He recalled that YSFON was the First Youth Sports Organization to introduce female football in Nigeria, the historic event which he said was declared opened by late first Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs. Mariam Babangida in Kano in 1986.
Okpavuerhe further noted that the current approach which encourages recycling of players over a long time even when they ‘be passed their prime is worrisome. “We must have a deliberate policy of replacing our aging players at all times to give way for fresh legs. The occasion of today therefore is one step to discovering new talents to replace the aging legs in our National team”, he said.
While appealing to the football authority in Nigeria, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to take greater look at what YSFON is doing by giving the necessary support to produce the talents that can be invited into the Female National Team, Okpavuerhe, however commended the efforts of the Chairman, Ilaji Stadium and Resort Centre, Engr Dotun Sanusi in taking the initiative by organizing this competition.
Also in her remarks, the General Manager, Ilaji Stadium and Resort Center, Mrs Nike Olarinde informed that the level of preparation is in top gear as they are fully prepared for the tournament in terms of facilities, security, and hostel accommodations for the players amongst others.
The press conference also had in attendance, Chairman, Oyo State YSFON, Mr. Rafiu Alabi, Alhaji Ganiyu Sanusi, Coach Babatunde Odukola, Moses Obioma, YSFON member from Kano State.
