By Femi Atolagbe
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In a bid to improve female football, a former coach of the Sunshine Football Club, Mr. Henry Abiodun has trained over 40 female football coaches across the 36 states and the federal capital territory on modern day football.
Over 40 female coaches gathered in Akure to participate in the free modern day football training were picked based on interest.
Abiodun, who is a national training officer of Nigeria Coaches Football Association added that the training was as a way of giving back in the area of technical support to the female football coaches in Nigeria ,which he said would be a continuous free training.
The former Sunshine Stars Technical Adviser encouraged the participants to be confident in who they are and what they can do saying they should put to practice the knowledge they have acquired at the training.
The Vice President of the organization, Mrs Bukola Abiodun urged the participants to always represent women well, believe in themselves, make good use of their training and do not relent in learning new things.
While speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Akeredolu on gender, Mrs Olamide Falana advised female coaches to seek ways of making Sports more exciting for younger generations.
She solicited for more younger people to key into sports, football in particular, adding that it is a money spinner across the world.
“Having more female coaches would encourage young girls into football.”
She described football as a form of language, freedom and a tool on achieving a bridge in gender gap.
She commended Governor Akeredolu for always empowering women noting that Ondo State is not lacking in support for women when it comes to gender issues, Ondo is one of the states that are leading in gender issues, the State ensures that women are given a sense of belonging, women are being encouraged in political leadership.
She lauded the president of the organization for bringing the training to Ondo State and impacting into the women. She also congratulated the participants, urging them to go ahead and do better.
“They should keep up the bond of sisterhood and strife higher, aspire for greater things.”
Chairperson of Ondo State Coaches Association, Mrs Tayo Onilude, described the efforts of Abiodun as a blessing to the state, saying he is passionate to share knowledge with those who are ready to learn.
She implored the newly trained coaches not to stop learning, but to add value to themselves, take what they have learnt and gained back to their various posts to enhance and reshape their coaching career.”
Mr Mansur Abdullahi, a Senior instructor at the organization, congratulated the participants, urging them to always keep fit, develop their skills, continue to work hard.
The representative of the female coaches, Mrs Maureen Eke Ajibose appreciated Abiodun, adding that they know what they are going back with. “We are loaded, if we are given the right place and facilities, we will get there, this certificate will help us in our future endeavors”.
