By our Reporter
The Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL) Board has commended the Bayelsa State Government for its commitment to the growth and development of female football in the country.
Chairperson of the NWFL, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, made the commendation when the board members paid a courtesy visit to the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, in his office at the Government House, Yenagoa on Thursday.
Mrs. Obi, who on behalf of the NWFL Board expressed gratitude to the State Government for hosting the Super 6 League in Yenagoa, said Bayelsa had done well in promoting the growth of female soccer in Nigeria.
She noted that with the successful hosting of the six top female teams in the 2023/2024 season of the women league, despite the very short notice, Bayelsa had shown true capacity in hosting sporting events.
The NWFL Boss informed that all the matches in the round-rubbing Super 6 League were being broadcast live, adding that the overall top team at the close of the event would represent Nigeria at the CAF Zone B Women Champions League.
She said: “We are here because Bayelsa is hosting the Super 6 League – the six top teams in the regular league season.
“We are very grateful to Bayelsa State for hosting this competition at a very short notice. So far, the state has shown capacity. Since our arrival here in Bayelsa, the reception has been very warm.
“This is the first time Bayelsa is hosting this event, and for the first time too, all the matches in the ongoing Super 6 League are broadcast live.
“FIFA has raised the profile of women football, and we equally appreciate what Bayelsa State is doing to advance the growth and development of women football in Nigeria.”
Responding, the State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, assured that Bayelsa was prepared to take female football to the next level.
He noted that Bayelsa had made huge investments in sports development, particularly in football, because the game gives positive publicity to the state and creates jobs.
According to him, the state government will also continue to use sports as a veritable tool to pull youths out from social vices like drug abuse, cultism and other crimes.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who said Bayelsa had already seen the benefits of hosting Super 6 tournament in Yenagoa, charged the board of the NWFL to address the issue of poor officiating in the league which had often marred football matches.
The Deputy Governor equally called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to allocate two slots to Nigeria in the CAF Women Champions League, considering the multitude of professional football teams playing in the Nigerian league.
The Chairperson of the Board of the NWFL, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, was accompanied on the visit by the Vice Chairperson, Hajiya Husseina Suleman, and the Chief Operating Officer of the League, Modupe Shaabi; representative of the NFF Referee Committee, Mr. Chukwujekwu Chukwudi., and CAF Referee Assessor, Ms. Felicia Okwugba.
The 2024 NWFL Super 6 tournament would be concluded on Sunday at the Samson Siasia Stadium, venue for all the 18 matches in the competition.
