There is the continued agitation for the total involvement of women in sports administration. And with several individuals and organisations raising the bars for the female athletes through seminars and sporting events. Expectedly, one of the youngest but brightest female football administrators and investors in Nigeria, has joined the fray to further emphasise the importance of development and growth of women in sports.
Speaking with journalists, Barrister Ibidoyin Aina, who is a member of the women’s football development committee of the Lagos State Football Association, noted that Nigerian female athletes have become the shinning lights of Nigerian sports, particularly, with astounding feats achieved in athletics, basketball, football, wrestling, weightlifting and other sports.
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Towards the development and empowerment of female athletes through football, Aina disclosed that plans are ongoing for the second edition of the annual Ibidoyin Aina football tournament, which is aimed at giving a veritable platform for aspiring young female footballers to showcase their talents, gets scouted and become exposed to the bigger stages of the game.
While she was quick to acknowledge the development of female football in Lagos State, she lamented the dearth of adequate playing pitches.
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“One of the major challenges in Lagos, is the lack of adequate playing pitches. We’ve too many players, too many teams and not enough facilities. Some of the few available pitches are either not properly maintained or most times, the available ones are too expensive for use. Generally, football is growing in Lagos State, but more can be done,” Aina a former footballer and Chief Executive Officer of Bullsports Limited noted.
Brimming with unbridled enthusiasm about the prowess, energy, vivacity and resourcefulness of women in sports, she gleefully urged women to rise and take their pride of place in sports administration.
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“Thankfully, we’ve reached a level where women’s football is no longer seen as a second fiddle. The women in sports, are now rubbing shoulders with the men in sports. However, I want more women to take up the challenges and become more vocal about their involvements and capacity in sports. We need to be more confident and take ownership of that space in sports,” she added.