Stakeholders vote for women’s football as Kazeem Eletu Queens win Abiodun gold cup

Investment in women sports, especially football, is one of the avenues Nigerians can help develop the girl/child. This is the submission of stakeholders at the just concluded Afusat Olabimpe Abiodun Women Gold Cup held in Ikorodu, Lagos.

The tournament, which began on January 23, drew women teams from across Lagos State. In the final held on February 13 at Strong Towers School Sports Field, Ikorodu, Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens of Ikorodu defeated Papa Soccer Academy of Epe through a penalty shoot-out after regular and extra time had ended 1-1.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Oluwatoyin Bolowotan, said the tournament was aimed at promoting the development of the girl-child.

He was optimistic that the competition would promote the growth of women football, saying it would encourage more girls to venture into sports.

“I think it is high time we started doing things like this to encourage our girl/child to participate in sporting events like this. Other activities that can engage them and give them physical, mental and health boost, should also be introduced into our society.

“I commend the sponsor of the competition because we need more of such events in our society to have a better society in which all of us will be proud of,” he said.

Vice-Chairman of Ikorodu Division of the Lagos State Football Association, Adeoye Abiodun, who sponsored the competition, said it had unearthed talented women footballers, adding that it would soon be upgraded to ensure that more skilful players are discovered.

“This is the first Afusat Abiodun competition in memory of our late mother, who died 39 years ago and we will be doing this yearly. The competition is an opportunity for the girls to