Oyo govt. constitute committee to raise female football team
Oyo State Government, on Monday, constituted a committee to raise a female football team for the state.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, who spoke at a news conference in Ibadan, said that the committee would be saddled with responsibility of raising a formidable team for the state.
The committee, according to Adegoke, is made up of the State Football Association, Nigerian Coaches Association, Oyo state chapter, Ministry of Education, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), former players and Sports Teachers Association, among others.
She said that the Gov. Seyi Makinde-led administration was interested in the development of youth and sports in the state, adding that talents would be picked from the grassroots to the local government and zonal levels.
“This is the beginning of good things to come in the affairs of female youths and development of female soccer.
“The governor has given us the grace to set machineries in motion for the take-off in order to give the female youth equal leverage with their male counterparts in the state and particularly to create a platform to build their capacity for economic emancipation.
“The establishment of female football club in the state is another milestone in the annals of the present government and we are happy that we are part of the success story,” she said.
The commissioner noted that before now, female football clubs used to exist in the state in their private capacity, thereby limiting their opportunities and their lifespan.
She said that the present administration had, on several occasions, assured of its irrevocable commitment to boosting the fortunes of the citizens, especially in relation activities directly affecting their socio-economic life.
“It has, thus far, achieved the unprecedented remodelling of Lekan Salami Stadium to an enviable standard, thus opening up opportunities for our people to enhance their value for economic emancipation.
“Hence, the establishment of female soccer in the state, which is long overdue, is another record breaking achievement in this administration.
“I, therefore, call on all football-inclined female youths to take the moment and avail themselves of this opportunity to dust their boot and make themselves available for the life-transforming venture that has come to their doorstep on a platter of gold.
“The gesture will not only give them the platform to discover themselves, it will set the tone for a purposeful and meaningful life, directed toward their economic emancipation,” she said.
Adegoke called on philanthropic-spirited citizens, individual and well-meaning people of the state to join hands with the state government in enhancing the development of the girl-child in this regard.
