By Femi Atolagbe
The National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have constituted a seven-member Welfare Committee to support the Super Falcons as they prepare to defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco.
The committee was established following a meeting between the Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, and the General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, in Abuja .
NFF Executive Board member, Aisha Falode, will serve as chairperson of the committee, while Ruth David has been appointed secretary.
Other members are Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen, Babagana Kalli, Emeka Iyama, Aderonke Tinuoye and Tobechukwu Oluchi.
Speaking on the development, Olopade said the Federal Government was determined to ensure that the Super Falcons enjoy a smooth and successful campaign in Morocco, free from financial disputes or distractions.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu are personally committed to the team’s success and title defence.
“The President and the First Lady are both personally committed to seeing that the Falcons successfully defend their title in Morocco, which is why this ad hoc committee was put in place to further assist the NFF in ensuring a seamless campaign for the team,” Olopade said.
He stressed that players’ welfare remained a critical component of sporting success, adding that the committee would help guarantee adequate support for the squad throughout the tournament.
“Welfare is a non-negotiable aspect of any team’s success in competition, and with this committee, the players can rest assured that the NSC and the NFF are taking their welfare very seriously for WAFCON,” he added.
NFF General Secretary, Sanusi, described the initiative as a landmark step, noting that it was the first time such a committee had been established specifically for the senior women’s national team ahead of a major competition.
“For us at the NFF, this demonstrates the level of commitment the NSC is showing towards women’s football, and it will only help the women’s game continue to grow rapidly in the country,” Sanusi said.
He added that the committee’s role was not to take over the responsibilities of existing officials but to provide additional support aimed at ensuring a successful and trouble-free tournament for the nine-time African champions.
The Super Falcons will head to Morocco seeking to retain the continental crown and further cement their status as Africa’s most successful women’s national team.