Female Coaches Seek Support For All Stars Competitions

The Amalgamation of Nigeria Female Football Coaches Association (ANFCCA), organisers of the annual All Stars Football Championship for girls, has assured that the 12th edition of the competition would be as exciting as ever.

ANFCCA’s President, Rolandson Odeh, told newsmen yesterday in Lagos that lack of encouragement from the authorities would not deter it from identifying with the event.

The championsship, which usually features players from different parts of the country, is scheduled to hold from January 13 to.21 at the National Stadium, Lagos.

Odeh stated that preparations for the competition would begin tomorrow and end on January 12. It would ensure that players were properly conditioned for the competition.

“We will train the girls from Jan. 5 to Jan. 12, before the competition starts from Jan 13 to 21, and they will be grouped into different teams,” he said.

Odeh bemoaned the lack of sponsorship the championship had had to endure since its inception, and urged the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and potential sponsors to support the body’s programmes.

The championship was formed by the Female Football Interest Group and Amalgamation of Female Football clubs coaches in 2001 to help promote female football.

Meanwhile the Vice President of ANFCCA, Oluwole Santana has urged the NFA to be consistent in nurturing football at the grassroots; to ensure the sustenance of female football.

Santana noted that the championship ought to have been accorded a pride of place because of its indelible role in scouting for talented girls for clubs and national teams.

“I am seriously baffled that after 12 years of its establishment, the competition still lacked sponsorship.

“We have been calling on sponsors to help us with this championship because without them, we cannot cater for these girls,’’ he said