The Chairperson of the Nigeria Women League Board, Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma has appreciated President Goodluck Jonathan for the financial reward he extended to the National Women U-20 team (Falconets). The players were rewarded with cash gift of N1m each while all their officials got N1.2 m each.
Speaking in Abuja, the NFF Executive Committee Member said “the Board of the Nigeria Women League is very much appreciative to President Goodluck Jonathan for rewarding the girls for their efforts, not minding that they did not play up to the finals as they did in the last edition. That shows that the President is ever ready to appreciate every aspect of hard work and commitment duty exhibited by any Nigerian. We thank him very much as a father, and believe that this gesture would go a long way to propel the girls in their future services to the country.”
She thanked the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the support and enabling environment given to the team all through the preparation stages to the tournament proper. She promised that her board would remain focused to ensure that more talented players are discovered from the nooks and crannies of the country to fortify the various national teams for future tournaments.
Meanwhile, FIFA president, Sepp Blatter has tipped Nigerian women football for more glory after the sterling performance of the Falconets in the just-concluded FIFA U-20 Women World Cup in Japan.
This was revealed by Chairman of the Nigeria Women Football League, Dilichukwu Onyedinma, who met with Blatter at the FIFA Dinner during the tournament.
She said: “It was a very heart-warming meeting. Blatter pointed out that the performance of Falconets was an indicator to the growth of women football in Africa. He also hailed Nigeria for leading the way in Africa. He was so particular about the Nigerian Women League. In his opinion, since most of the players are playing at home, it was a reflection of how strong the league is”.
She revealed that Blatter said Nigeria will soon rule the world in women football. “He said that he wouldn’t be surprised if Nigeria wins one of these women football tournaments before long,” Onyedinma added.
The meeting with Blatter has fired Onyedinma to put in more effort in boosting the quality of the women football league. “Candidly, his words were very encouraging. It has thrown a bigger challenge at us to ensure our league is better and stronger. The world expects so much from us and we cannot afford to fail,” she enthused.
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