Super Falcons skipper Rasheedat Ajibade has made a plea to the Federal Government of Nigeria, soliciting increased investment in the women’s game, Footynaija.com reports.
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu treated Ajibade and her Super Falcons teammates to a hero’s welcome at the Presidential Villa in Abuja following their 10th WAFCON triumph at the just concluded tournament in Morocco.
During her speech on behalf of the team, Ajibade expressed a desire the achieve even greater success beyond the shores of Africa. To this end, she called on Nigeria’s government as well as the Nigerian Football Federation to support their cause with the procurement of world-class training facilities.
What Rasheedat Ajibade said
“Your Excellency, we are not content to rest on our laurels. Our vision is bold; we want to become the best football team in the world.
“We dream of standing on the global stage, not just as competitors, but as Champions. To achieve this, we seek the support of the Government and the Nigerian Football Federation.
“With their partnership, we can have world-class facilities, and we’ll be able to prepare in the best way possible and create the pathway for the next generation of Super Falcons to soar even higher.
“Together, we can show the world that Nigeria isn’t just a participant in global football, but a leader. Football is a unifier in this country. It brings the nation together, oneness across tribes and religion.
“We want to continue to bring joy to the nation and more Nigerians around the world. Together, with the right support, we can level the playing field with our competitors. Together, we can achieve greatness that’ll echo across generations. The Sky is just the beginning.”
For his part, president Tinubu commended the team for their performance at the tournament and as a sign of national recognition, conferred the title of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on each player and member of the coaching staff.
He also awarded a monetary reward of $100,000 each for all the players as well as a three-bedroom apartment for every member of the squad. Meanwhile, each member of the coaching staff got a $50,000 reward and a three-bedroom apartment.