Asisat Oshoala, A Rare Gem, Giving Back To Her Society Through Football4girls Tournament In Lagos

ILESANMI MOTUNRAYO OLUKEMI

It is not always the practice in Africa to see someone who had risen to the limelight to decide to pay back to the society. It is rarely seen among many Nigerian players who had made it big in their chosen career in football to want to give back to their society. How many of them have set up foundations with the aim of grooming gifted young players to the stardom. It is hard to see one out of hundred percent.

But this is not the case with Nigerian Queen of the Pitch, Asisat Oshoala who had in the past few years decided to ensure that she impacted positively to the Nigerian society within her capacity what God has made for her in the round leather game.

It is not surprising however to see her establishing a humanitarian platform called Asisat Oshoala Foundation, which had in the past five years organising series of football tournaments for the female cadres in the society.

The Foundation has always created platform to educate and teach the participants the rudiments of the round leather game at each tournament to the extent that hundreds of young future stars have been added to the pools of players waiting to be blown into the stardom in Nigerian female football.

P.M. EXPRESS understands that the Football4girls project has produced over 10 girls for the national teams (U-17, U-20, Super Falcons), with Rashidat Ajibade and Chidinma Okeke the notable names, and this year’s event is also expected to produce the next African stars.

Ajibade was the most valuable player of the 2017 edition of the football4girls tourney, and she made her debut for the Falcons in 2018. She now plays for a Norwegian side, Avaldsnes IL. 

Okeke won the most valuable player award for the 2018 edition of the football4girls tourney, and like Rashidat, she also made her debut for the Super Falcons the following year, and she plays for Madrid CFF in Spain

Not only did the Foundation concentrate in unearthing football talents of these girls, it has also ensured that they combine education with sports with series of scholarships for outstanding players in the football4girls championship since inception. No wonder Asisat Oshoala Foundation has been donating sports and educational materials to some schools in Lagos state.

For the 2020 edition of Asisat Oshoala Football4girls Tournament, an 8-aside competition, which will be organised in a knockout format, the stage is set and the die is cast. The star prize of the sum of $1, 000 is a mouth watering prize dangling on who will win this year’s competition scheduled for Nigeria’s soccer temple, the Agege Stadium in Lagos, southwest Nigeria from 1-3 December, 2020.

This is a winner takes all tournament which will feature team such as  FC Phoenix Queens, Papa Soccer Angels, Aseyori Queens, Victory Queens, Future Stars Queens, Heroes Queens, S.G.H Queens, and Ossy Angels.

According to the fixtures obtained from the organisers, Heroes Queens and Ossy Angels will play in the first match of the tournament, while SGH Queens and Aseyori Queens slug it out in the second match. Future Stars Queens and FC Phoenix are scheduled to play the third match. The fourth match is between Papa Soccer Angels and Victory Queens. Winners in each match proceed to the semi finals

Lots of side attractions are in place for the tournament this year with Dr. Stella Okoli (OON), the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, who has been a strong pillar to Asisat Oshoala Foundation since inception, promising given out educational scholarships, jerseys and medicals worth millions of naira.

 Dr. Okoli is doing this because she shares the vision of Asisat Oshoala Foundation. She believes in entrepreneurship for young people and this is one of the reasons she partnered with Oshoala and her foundation to help young girls achieve their dreams.

This competition is also holding with strong support from the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Sports Commission,

Oshoala herself will storm the country for the tournament with one of the Barcelona Femini star. The Nigerian star is currently plying her trade with the Spanish side FC Barcelona Femení in the Primera División as a forward.

Oshoala has always graced the event with several celebrities, including former Super Eagles stars and football administrators, and for the 2020 edition of the Football4girls, Oshoala will come with a Barcelona star.