September 16, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has declared his administration’s commitment to using football to develop the girl-child and inspiring young people to have rewarding careers in the game.
Th eprresidnet made this statement while receiving FIFF President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe at the State House, Abuja.
On women’s football, President Buhari in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, expressed delight that Nigeria has produced excellent role models to inspire the next generation of stars.
‘‘Our national women’s football team, the Super Falcons, are a force to reckon with both on the continent and internationally.
‘‘Some of our women footballers such as Asisat Oshoala, who only recently became the first African to win the women’s European Champions League with her club Barcelona.
‘‘Rasheedat Ajibade, Rita Chikwelu, Onome Ebi, who is the only African to have played in five FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals, Desire Oparanozie and before them Perpetua Nkwocha, Mercy Akide-Udoh, Nkiru Okosieme and Ann Chiejiene are globally recognized stars,” he said.
Buhari also told the visiting FIFA president, who is in the country for the six-nation Aisha Buhari Invitational Football Tournament, his administration had adopted football as a national asset.
He explained that the sport is being accorded the highest level of attention possible by the government to enable the rapid development of the abundant talents in the country.
‘‘I have also approved the unveiling of a committee to draw up a 10-year football development master plan for the country.
‘‘I expect that the recommendations of this committee will accelerate the development of football. It is my hope that it will further improve the fortunes of the game internationally”, he added.
On the Aisha Buhari Cup (ABC), themed “Playing for Good”, the Nigerian leader said the tournament could not have come at a better time.
‘‘This women’s football competition is a novel idea here and I am sure it will be exciting in its execution for our women folk and lovers of football. It is also a confirmation of what we already know about our women,’’ he said.
The president thanked FIFA for making ABC a ranking tournament, adding that he looks forward to more countries participating in the future.
President Buhari, who described football as one of the greatest sources of unity in the country as well as in many parts of the world, said:
‘‘Our hearts beat as one anytime our teams are playing a football match. Our youth are always positively engaged when our national football teams are on assignment.
‘‘Without any doubts here, football is a major tool of national unity’’, he added.
In his remarks, Infantino reiterated FIFA’s commitment to football development in Nigeria, pledging to strengthen its partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation.
‘‘Nigeria is a big football-playing country. We need Nigeria to lead the football movement in the world, together with Africa as a continent”, he said.
Infantino thanked President Buhari for supporting the development of the game, appealing to him to help FIFA amplify the message of football as a uniting force.
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