By Sunday Agunbiade
Former NFF Board Member, Hon. Ayo Omidiran, Chairman, Oyo State Football Association, HRM Oba James Odeniran at the final of Ayomidiran Foundation Tournament charged female football players to take education serious just as they take the game of football.
The woman football proponent stated this while congratulating the Ibadan based soccer queens, Adewale Babes after beating Joke Babes of Bishop Phillips Academy 3-0 in a penalty Shootout out after the regulation period ended goaless.
The former House of Rep member charged the girls to see ensure that they have good academicqualificationsas a back up after football career. “Florence Omagbemi captained the Super Falcons for several years and won many laurels, and is today a member of the FIFA Technical Study Group. She has a good academic qualification to stand out among others”.
Omidiran, who funded top club, Omidiran Babes for more than 10 years and served as Member of the House of Representatives, told the secondary school girls in Ibadan that education is a lifetime endeavor, and that only education could assure them of a comfortable life after they must have stopped playing the game.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman, Oyo State Football Association, Comrade Ayangbile Isaac Olawale insisted that the girls should not be distracted with the accolades they receive now but rather focus on.life after football career.
“Football, like every other sport, particularly women, has the shortest active years and endless retirement retirement period. Well, I know you are all in school but I want to advise you to pay more attention to your studies and ensure you all come out tops in your academics.
“Most players carrer have been cut shot by injuries, God forbids. Also, there is marriage time for women,etc. Therefore, marry your academics with football”. Comrade Ayangbile concluded.