Vice-president of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF),
Seyi Akinwunmi, has sought to clarify his comments on female football in the
country, after being accused of blaming lesbianism for the national team’s
stagnation.
The Super Falcons failed to qualify for this year’s Olympic
Games and Akinwunmi was quoted as saying “lesbianism kills teams”. He has however come out to state that his comments were
twisted.
“I noted that one of the problems we have encountered in
trying to raise funds for the women’s game, is the perception of lesbianism
therein,” he said.
“We strongly believe that there are still potential sponsors
out there who will lend their support to help us develop our female teams because
of the glory that these girls have brought to this country and their enormous
potential to do even more.”
The Oyo State Chapter of the Sports Writers’ Association of
Nigeria (SWAN), to whom Akinwunmi gave his original speech, also defended him.
“We wish to place it on the records that the observations of
Barrister Akinwunmi, who is the first vice President of the Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF) is being interpreted out of context and being promoted in
negative connotations by those bent on mischief, most of who were not present
at the forum,” the SWAN said in a statement.
“The NFF 1st vice President in his response to the question
by one of the participants began by avowing his huge passion for women football
and grassroots football which his administration as Chairman of Lagos State
Football Association has championed.
“Among some other problems of running women football he
highlighted were comparatively higher costs and lower returns on investment. He
also pointed to the dearth of women football players arising from the place of
women in traditional practices of the country and the concentration of interest
by both corporate Nigeria and individuals on men’s football.
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