***Organisers declare tournament a success
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Organisers of the annual FAME Women’s Day Football Tournament has described the one-day football fiesta organised to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD) in Nigeria as very successful.
Executive Director Fame Foundation, Ms Aderonke Ogunleye told reporters at the tournament’s venue at Area 3 Football Pitch, Garki in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on Friday that her foundation is very satisfied with the level of participation by the invited teams.
According to her it’s a thing of joy to see no fewer than ten women’s football teams take part in the tournament just as she commended the participating teams for their commitments in the course of development of the womenfolk.
“In sports, nobody wants to know what you are or where you are coming from and for those of us in Nigeria, sports is a unifying factor in Nigeria. You see, that is why FAME Foundation is intentional about using sports to unite the people, to chart a new course, to know how we can use sports to empower women.
“And every year we do this and while this is going on, we have free eye test, free cervical cancer, pap smear tests, hepatitis screening, breast examinations, HIV tests and counselling, distribution of free male and female condoms among other services”, Ms Ogunleye told reporters at the tournament.
Also, in line with the theme for the 2024 IWD which is “Count Her In: Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, no fewer than 10 indigent students were awarded scholarships to further their education by FAME Foundation at the event.
However, the British Deputy High Commissioner (DHC), Mrs. Gill Lever in her Goodwill Message at the event commended FAME Foundation for organising the football competition, pointing out that it’s one of the most noble ways to celebrate the International Women’s Day.
In the same vain, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ogunkanmi, Psychotherapist and Mental Health expert who gave talks during the Educational Session lectured on the importance of people taking their mental health issues more seriously.
The wife of Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima who was represented by Hajia Hauwa Abubakar Kyari; the Charge D ‘Affairs of United States of America (USA), Mr. David Greene and others from the East African Diplomatic Community attended the tournament.
Meanwhile, Team EAC defeated Team FIDA on penalty shoot-out to win the the 5th Edition of FAME International Women’s Day Football Tournament.
Team EAC presented by East African Communities (EAC) in Nigeria comprising eight partner states namely:
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Republic of Burundi.
Republic of Kenya.
Republic of Rwanda.
Federal Republic of Somalia.
Republic of South Sudan.
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) came second in the tournament while Team USA, Team Canada and Team British that lost by four nil each in the preliminary stage of the competition did not make it to the podium finish.
Other participants are Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (Team AWTA); Association of Nigeria Female Students Team (ANFS); Association of Women Living With Aids in Nigeria (ASHWAN); Team BET8JA and Team FAME, comprising of staffing volunteers of FAME Foundation.
