It’s More Than Just Football As Girls Play Sports Launches New Schedules

The Ayomidiran Foundation has announced a revamped schedule for its first ever Girls Play Sports Women’s Football Tournament, a significant step towards empowering young women and fostering sports development in Nigeria. On Friday, Hon. Ayo Omidiran, CEO of the foundation and Chairperson of the Organising Committee, expressed her excitement about the initiative, highlighting the use of football as a medium to promote gender equality, address societal issues, and bring young Nigerians together.

This event is more than just a football competition it’s an avenue to create opportunities and shape a better future for young girls, Omidiran said.

Endorsed by the Nigeria Football Federation NFF, the tournament will include non league amateur clubs from across the country. The inaugural event will run from August 30 to October 1, 2024.

Preliminary matches for the Southern Zone are set to take place between September 14 and September 21, 2024, across Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, and Bayelsa States. For the Northern Zone, the matches will occur from September 22 to September 28, 2024, in Jos, Ilorin, Abuja, and Gombe. Eight teams from each region will proceed to the playoff finals, with the best teams advancing to the Grand Finale.

A total of 64 teams are slated to compete in the debut tournament, with 34 teams from the Southern Zone and 30 from the Northern Zone. The competition will culminate in the Grand Finale on October 1, 2024, in Abuja.

The Ayomidiran Foundation remains committed to empowering youth and developing sports across Nigeria, focusing on giving young girls a platform to showcase their abilities on a national stage.

Editorial

We believe the Girls Play Sports Women’s Football Tournament marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward gender equality and youth empowerment. By creating a platform where young girls can demonstrate their talents, the Ayomidiran Foundation is not only advancing sports but also addressing deep rooted social issues. It is an undeniable fact that gender inequality continues to persist in various sectors, including sports. This tournament presents an opportunity to challenge those barriers and offer young girls the same opportunities their male counterparts enjoy.

The tournament will bring communities together, from the Southern Zone preliminaries to the Grand Finale in Abuja, encouraging solidarity and teamwork. Beyond football, this competition represents a shift in how young girls view themselves and how society perceives their abilities. Football is the tool, but the message extends beyond the field.

The Ayomidiran Foundation’s partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation shows that institutions are beginning to recognise the importance of investing in young girls. These collaborations are critical in changing the narrative and shaping future opportunities. We must continue to advocate for more initiatives like this, not just in football but across all sports and fields.

Ultimately, by unlocking potential, nurturing ambition, and providing platforms, we can ensure that these young girls grow into confident leaders, role models, and contributors to a more equitable society. This is why we stand firmly behind this initiative it is more than just football; it is about creating pathways for the future.

Did You Know?

1. Women’s football in Nigeria has seen rapid growth since the establishment of the Nigeria Women’s Football League in 1990.
2. Nigeria’s Super Falcons are one of the most successful women’s national teams in Africa, having won multiple African Women’s Championships.
3. According to the UN, sports can promote gender equality by enhancing women’s self-esteem and challenging gender norms.
4. A 2019 study found that 94% of women in C suite positions played sports at some level.
5. The FIFA Women’s World Cup generates millions of viewers globally, showing the increasing popularity of women’s football worldwide.