By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour African leg was concluded in Abuja on Sunday with the Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi, students of the Anglican Girls Secondary School and a Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWF) club, Naija Ratels FC on hand to view the glittering 18 carats gold piece of art work on display at Imo/Cross River Halls of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
The FIFA trophy which was carried in a sealed glass case was first brought to the Anglican Girls Secondary School (AGSS) located at Gudu District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where it was on display for about an hour for the school children to view it and take pictures after an interactive session during the visit.
The FIFA team led by Giulia Tina Carola and their host, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) top officials later moved back to Transcorp Hilton Hotel where the trophy was on display for Public Viewing and Photo Session till 2:30 pm.
Prompt News reports that the Trophy Display event at Transcorp Hilton Hotel was declared open for Public Viewing/ Photo Session by the NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusua who in his short remarks expressed the delight of the federation to welcome the trophy to the country on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria.
Gusua said that Nigeria is an important member of the FIFA family, pointing out that the NFF has continued to promote women’s football by providing the enabling environment for women’s football to have strong footing in Nigeria.
The NFF boss also said that its gratifying to note that Super Falcons have continued to dominate Africa, promising that the federation will support the team to do well in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
In her own remarks, Charge de Affairs of Australia to Nigeria overseeing Benin, Cameron,Gabon, Niger and ECOWAS, Ms Leann Johnston, said Australia can’t wait to host the world, stressing that Australia will host a perfect competition this summer.
Johnston however warned Nigeria that the Australian women’s football team ‘The Matildas’ will give Nigeria’s Super Falcons a run for their money, adding that Nigeria’s two other opponent Canada and Republic of Ireland will also trouble the Super Eagles.
However, Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi has insisted that she and her teammates will represent Nigeria well, saying that Nigeria will not be a pushover in Australia and New Zealand as the country has what it takes to do well in the competition this summer.
The event which was anchored by NFF Director of Media and Communications, Ademola Olajire and supported by Director of Competitions, Ms Ruth David; Head of Protocols, Barnabas Joro; Head of Marketing and Sponsorship, Chuks Alizor and Head of ICT, Tasiu Yusuf as well.
Among members of the Nigeria football family who attended the event at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja include two NFF Board Members, Rt. Hon. Margaret Ichen and Ms Aisha Falode; Dr. Adebayo Ameenu, Special Assistant to NFF General Secretary; CAF Safety and Security member, Joan Odochi Efughu and Mrs. Faith Ben-Anuge of the Technical Department of NFF.
Others are former Special Assistant to NFF President on Women’s Football Affairs and veteran women’s football journalists, Harry Awurumibe; Samuel Ahmadu, Savidnews Publisher/ women’s football writer and Proprietor of Naija Ratels FC, Abuja who came with his entire team members.
The highlight of the Trophy Display was the Public Viewing and Photo Session which gave the attendees the rare opportunity to pose for the cameras with the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy worth $20 million.
