Sports
NAWIS Wants More Women In Sports
The Founder of the Nigeria Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS), Florence Adeyanju has called for the involvement of more women in sports to increase Nigeria’s performance at the international level.
Adeyanju made the call at the inauguration of the Abuja chapter of NAWIS in Abuja.
She said there must be a change of attitude by the public on the way women in sports were being perceived in negative light.
According to him, If Nigeria wants enhanced achievement in sports; there is need for increased involvement of women.
“If Nigeria aspires to attain greatest heights in international competitions, there must be a change of attitude regarding the treatment and stigma attached to women in sports.
“There can be no sports development in this country without women,’’ she said.
Adeyanju said that the association was born out of the desire to correct the perception given to women in sports.
The founder also said that sports should be viewed in relation to self actualisation, self esteem, confidence, health and human rights, regardless of gender.
According to the founder, NAWIS clamours for a culture where girls and women, who have been deprived of participation in sports are given the chance to do so.
“This is the desire of the group, to see that women have equal access and support in sports at all levels and in all capacities.
“To achieve these goals, NAWIS has embarked on enlightenment programmes to raise the society’s awareness on the many benefits of women participating in sports
“To dispel myths and taboos that plague women participation in sports for so long,’’ she said.
Adeyenju noted that it was on record that achievements of women in sports at international competitions have surpassed that of the men.
She said that NAWIS Abuja chapter could achieve these goals of the association through the devotion and dedication of all members.
Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.
We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.
“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”
Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.
It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.
Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.
The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.