Naija Ratels FC boss, Edeh demands more attention for female football

The proprietor of Nigeria Women Professional Football League side, Naija Ratels, Barrister Paul Edeh has sent out a passionate appeal to the government and all the relevant stakeholders to pay more attention to female football in the country. Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, the sports enthusiast said he is actively involved in female football because […]

The proprietor of Nigeria Women Professional Football League side, Naija Ratels, Barrister Paul Edeh has sent out a passionate appeal to the government and all the relevant stakeholders to pay more attention to female football in the country.

Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, the sports enthusiast said he is actively involved in female football because he wants to give something back to the girl child.

He, therefore, decried the tendency for most investors to tilt more towards the male game to the detriment of female football.

Edeh maintained that talents abound but if the preferential treatment for male football is not addressed immediately, the country will continue to struggle to excel beyond the continent of Africa.

“It is an open secret that most investors prefer to go into sponsorship of male football. Sometimes we forget that there are super talented female players waiting to be discovered.

“Government has not shown enough commitment to the development of female football. A lot is expected from the government and the relevant stakeholders,” he said.

Edeh, however, commended the present leadership of the Nigerian Women Professional Football League, NWPFL, for doing so many to uplift the game in the country.

He said with the necessary support, the present board of the NWPFL under Aisha Folade will continue to build long lasting structures for female football.

“I will give the Nigerian Women Professional Football League under the leadership of Aisha Folade, an excellent pass mark. I am giving an excellent pass mark because we are no longer where we started.

“There is some level of decorum in the game of female football in Nigeria now. She has been able to build a structure that anyone who comes after her would be able to build on it.

“For instance, female players’ welfare is the topmost thing in her agenda and priority because you can’t bring children from all across the country to play for you and after the glory, you are unable to pay them.

“The NWFL chairperson has also insisted that clubs provide the right training facilities for their teams which is something that the past leadership cared less about.

“In addition, she ensures that the clubs comply with the standards set by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. Clubs are encouraged to observe all the COVID-19 protocols,” he said.

Edeh then submitted that the present leadership of women football is doing a lot to move the game forward but all hands must be on the deck for greater achievements.