Stakeholders, parents laud Nathaniel Idowu Foundation on 'Let Her Play Programme'

Stakeholders, Parents laud Nathaniel Idowu Foundation on 'Let Her Play Programme'

..Excited kids pick Super Falcons stars, Oshoala, Nnadozie, Ajibade as role models

By Akeem Busari

The excitement and buzz about the ongoing epochal football coaching programme tagged 'Let Her Play', is growing by the day. And it is not for nothing.

The 10-weeks football clinic, which is sponsored by Nathaniel Idowu Foundation and inconjunction with Ajeromi-Ifelodun Sports council, has attracted over 400 starry-eyed kids since it started three weeks ago at the new Maracana stadium, Tolu, Ajegunle.

And it has equally been attracting rave reviews by stakeholders, grassroots football promoters and parents, who in unison described the football coaching initiative as a major boost for the encouragement and empowerment of the girl-child.

Renowned sports activist and National Coordinator of Friends Of Nigeria Sports(FNS), Chief Diprieye Thompson, was effusive in praises for the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation and also the organisers, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Sports Council led by its indefatigable Director-General, McAnthony Anaelechukwu.

"Beyond rhetorics, this football clinic aimed at helping the impressionable girl-child chart a path in the football landscape, is very laudable and encouraging," he noted.

Mrs. Veronica Nnamdi, equally expressed her happiness with the programme, which she remarked has brought untold joy to the life of her 13 years daughter, who now brims with smiles every weekend in anticipation of the programme.

12 years Funmilayo Raymond, a JSS1 student of Hopebay College, Alaba-Oro, Ajegunle, enthusiastically picked Super Falcons star, Asisat Oshoala, as her role model, adding that the Let Her Play programme, is one of the ways to make her achieve her dreams as a professional female footballer.

Another joyful aspiring kid was Precious Edet, who remarked emotionally that she no longer feels the pains of watching her favourite Super Falcons stars like team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie on the television.

"Now I believe I can actually become a national star and play professional football like my role models. I want to thank the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation and the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Sports Council, for this lifetime opportunity," the SS1 student said happily.