By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Head of International Competitions Department, Ruth David is optimistic of brighter future for the Nigerian national teams despite the long inactivity occasioned by Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
In an exclusive interview with Prompt News in Abuja at the weekend, David who was the immediate past NFF Head of Women’s Football Unit spoke against the backdrop of the recent cancellation of all the women’s football competitions billed for 2020 and 2021 by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).
Nigeria’s U-17 (Flamingos) and U-20 (Falconets) dreams of playing in the two age-grades FIFA Women’s World Cup in India and Costa Rica and Panama respectively have all been postponed to 2022 due to the devastating effects of Covid-19 pandemic on football activities.
The Super Falcons could not also defend their African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) trophy they won two years ago in Ghana as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has since postponed the competition to 2022.
Inspite of the hiatus, David who was appointed NFF Head of International Competitions Department late last year, a new position which confers more responsibility to supervise both male and female national teams, believes that Nigerian teams will bounce back to international reckoning any time football activities resume across the world.
According to the experienced football administrator who has worked with different teams and in different departments at the football house, the management is well prepared to give the national teams the necessary logistics and technical support to do the country proud whenever international football resumes.
Before her present post, David was former Team Administrator: Senior Women’s Olympics Football Team, Women’s U-17, Women’s U-20 and Super Falcons to several FIFA Women’s World Cup final.
Former Head/ General Coordinator, Nigeria Football Federation Cup (FA Cup and later Head of Women Football in 2016 before she was appointed Head of International Competitions in 2019.
David is currently a Match Commissioner, West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Zone B; Member, FIFA Female Leadership Development Programme; Member, Standing Committee on Women Development, African Beach Soccer Union (ABSU) and Member, National Association of Women in Sports ( NAWIS).
The Kaduna-born football administrator has an intimidating academic qualifications which includes Diploma in Business Administration from Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State; Bachelors Degree in Business Administration (B.Sc) from Bayero University, Kano and Master of Science (M.Sc) Degree in Sports Administration also from Bayero University, Kano.
