Foundation launches female football tournament in Nigeria

The Ayomidiran Foundation has unveiled the inaugural “Girls Play Sports” female Football Tournament, an initiative aimed at promoting sports development among young girls in Nigeria.

Ayo Omidiran, CEO of Ayomidiran Foundation and Chairman of the Organising Committee, expressed her excitement about the project during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

“This ‘Girls Play Sports’ initiative is designed to empower young girls through football,” Omidiran stated. “Our goal is to provide a developmental platform, reduce social vices, and foster unity across Nigeria. This tournament is more than just a competition; it’s a movement towards equality.”

Dr. Muhammad Sanusi, General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), praised the initiative, aligning it with the administration’s agenda for women’s football development. Representing the NFF President, Sanusi commended Omidiran for her significant contributions to the sport.

“The NFF fully supports this idea,” Sanusi said. “This programme will greatly impact grassroots football and elevate the standard of women’s football in Nigeria. We appreciate the efforts of the Ayomidiran Foundation and acknowledge Omidiran’s pioneering role in women’s football in Nigeria.”

The inaugural championship is scheduled to run from August 30 to September 30, featuring eight teams in the Northern and Southern playoff finals after preliminary rounds in the country’s six geopolitical zones. Registration is free and open to non-league clubs via the Ayomidiran Foundation website from July 24 to August 23. Each team can register up to 30 players, with fixtures and draws determined after the registration period.