‘You are the future,’ NFF vice-president Seyi Akinwunmi tells girls at first day of 2019 Asisat Oshoala Football Championship for Girls

Akimwunmi and Chioma Ajunwa were the visitors on the first day of the championship.

Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Seyi Akimwunmi was on Wednesday, December 4, present at the first day of the 2019 Asisat Oshoala Football Championship for Girls to speak to over 200 girls who were present.

The 2019 edition of the annual Asisat Oshoala Football Championship for Girls, a philanthropic initiative by Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala kicked off on Wednesday at the Campus Mini Stadium with over 200 girls in attendance.

The championship kicked off with its first screening exercise overseen by experienced coaches from the Barcelona Academy.

Akinwunmi who is one of the top scribes in the NFF was one of the visitors at the stadium on Wednesday when he spoke to the girls about what they have to do to make it in life.

“You are the future,” he told the girls. “Some people will tell you that you are at a disadvantage because you are a woman, but I want to tell you that you have a chance to make it just like anybody.”

Seyi Akinwunmi also urges the girls to be serious with their education

He went on to encourage the girls to also be serious with their education no matter the outcome in their quest to become professional footballers.

Speaking further to the press, the NFF boss said the federation is proud of what Oshoala is doing with her Asisat Oshoala Foundation who are the main sponsors of the championship.

Also at the stadium was Nigerian Olympic gold medalist Chioma Ajunwa who also spoke to the girls.

“This is a great initiative that will come a long way in helping female football in Nigeria,” Ajunwa told Pulse Sports at the stadium.

The girls on the first day of the championship were divided into two groups of amateur and secondary school players.

The screening will end on the second day of the championship and talented players will be picked from the two groups to compete in the championship finals which will be held later in December.

The Most Valuable Player of the championship will be given a football scholarship to training in Spain while 23 other players will be enrolled in the Barcelona Academy in Lagos.

This annual championship from the Asisat Oshoala Foundation has had a couple of success stories like Super Falcons stars Chidinma Okeke and Rashidat Ajibade.