Some football stakeholders on Tuesday commended Asisat Oshoala for emerging the BBC Women’s Footballer of the year award.
Former ex-international, Friday Ekpo lauded Oshoala for her achievement as the first winner of the award.
Oshoala beat Spain’s veronica Boquete, German Nadine Kessler and Brazilian Marta to win the award which was the first of its kind hosted by the global broadcaster for female players.
Ekpo said it was a well deserved honour for the player, country and Africa continent at large.
He said that the award would serve as motivation for other female players in Nigeria and the continent at large.
“I must congratulate Asisat for this great development and I hope other female players will follow suit by giving all their best when playing,’’ he said.
Also, Frank Ilaboya, the chairman of Edo State Football Association said that her victory was a reward for the good football qualities she possessed.
Ilaboya said that he was hopeful the development would impact on Super Falcons performance at the forthcoming FIFA Women World Cup holding in Canada in June.
“This news is cheering for us in Nigeria, we are proud of her and we will continue to support her with prayers.
“Our girls will be motivated in Canada and we hope they won’t disappoint the country,’’ he said.
Temptation of using banned drugs to enhance their performance.
Olumide made the appeal in a chat with newsmen at the AFN third All Comers Athletics Meet at the University of Port Harcourt Sports Complex.
He said the use of such drugs could mar the career of an athlete.
Olumide urged athletes to work extra hard to attain high standards achieved by eminent Nigerians in major national and international games.
“I want to plead with Nigerian athletes to train harder to achieve high standards.
“You must work extra hard. You must desist from using prohibited drugs and substances that will mar your career.
“Be clean, as long as you are clean, you will achieve your desired objective,’’ he said.
The Secretary-General said the AFN needed the support of Nigerians to achieve set goals and objectives.
“We need the support of every Nigerian. Every Nigerian is a stake holder in the development of athletics.
“We need every support that will help us achieve our desired objectives,’’ he said.
On the All Comers Meet, Olumide said the University of Port Harcourt event was the third in the series of such meets in the country.
He said two previous meets took place in Abuja and Lagos in February and March this year.
“The All Comers Meet is a platform designed by the AFN to give athletes the opportunity to show case their talents.
“From there, it will be an entry standard for the Golden League.
“There are criteria set up, based on performance to make athletes enter the Golden League,’’ he said.
The scribe said if an athlete failed to meet such criteria, he might not qualify for the Golden League.
“The Golden League is another strategic plan by the Technical Committee of the Federation to assist athletes in performance before mega games like the All African Games, Commonwealth Games or the Olympic Games,’’ he said.