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First Lady of Lagos, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (L), in warm handshake with a female footballer at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos.
First Lady of Lagos, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (2nd R), in warm handshake with a female footballer at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos.Mar 31, 2008 - Flagging-Off Of Women Professional Football League
I congratulate the Nigeria Football Association particularly the Nigeria Women Football League Management Committee under the leadership of the hardworking and committed Chairperson, Princess (Dr.) Bola Jegede on this occasion of the official flag-off of the 2007/2008 Women Professional Football League.
I want to thank the organisers for choosing Lagos State as the host of this very important event. It is a fact that Lagosians are sports loving people as this has been demonstrated over the years by the tremendous contribution which the State has made to sports development in the country.
There is no gainsaying the fact that sports particularly football has become a strong unifying factor in the world and more importantly, it is a viable business that has brought fame and wealth to nations and individuals. The advent of women football is a great development that has opened a window of opportunities for women in a sport that hitherto was exclusive to men.
Within the short period that our nation joined the Committee of Nations in women football, it is gratifying to note that we have made relative progress particularly in our achievement as African champions. The challenge however remains achieving the ultimate price of joining the league of world champions.
The women professional football league which is taking off today is no doubt a right step that will encourage more women to develop interest in the game. More importantly, a vibrant league will provide a breeding ground for discovering, developing and nurturing talented women footballers who will take over from ageing players of today that have brought great honour to this country.
It needs to be emphasised however that our expectation from this league will remain a dream unless the league is well funded, managed and organised in a way that the interest of all stakeholders including club owners, players and sponsors is well protected. This is a challenge to the Nigeria Women Football League Management Committee which I am informed has been assigned the responsibility of managing and organising the Women Professional Football League in the country. I have no doubt that the Management Committee under the able leadership of Princess Dr. Bola Jegede, a passionate and foremost promoter of women football in Nigeria, will rise to this challenge and build a league that will be a pride not only to Nigeria but also the entire continent.
Finally let me congratulate all our young ladies who have taken the decision to make a career as professional footballers. While wishing you the very best the game can offer, I want to advise you that in addition to playing football equip yourself with formal education and/or vocational training so as to adequately prepare yourself for life challenges at the end of your football career.
Once again, I congratulate the organisers and wish you all a very successful and rewarding 2007/2008 Professional Women Football League season.
God bless you all.
Her Excellency
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State