By Henry Umoru
THE Senate has made a donation of N100 million to Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
The Flamingos made history by becoming the first African team to win the tournament after defeating Japan two goals to one in Saturday’s final.
Meanwhile the Senate has urged the federal government to provide adequate compensation and rewards for the players in recognition of their achievement.
Lawmakers underscored the need to sustain the momentum of the victory by investing in young sporting talents and providing the necessary support for the nation’s future champions.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio announced the donation during plenary on Tuesday while presiding during discussions on a motion on the need to congratulate the team on its achievement.
The Upper Chamber has congratulated President Bola Tinubu for his support for sports development, Nigerians on the historic victory, and the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly its Chairman, Shehu Dikko.
Resolutions of the Senate yesterday were sequel to a motion by Senator Abdul Ningi, Bauchi Central.
In his presentation, Ningi who described the victory as historic, said that the young players had achieved what several other Nigerian national teams had struggled to accomplish.
According to him, the team’s triumph was particularly remarkable, given the limited expectations surrounding the players before the competition.
Senator Ningi expressed concern that the achievement had not received adequate publicity and national recognition, adding that the players deserved to be celebrated for bringing honour to Nigeria and Africa.
He said the team did not receive sufficient official recognition upon its arrival in the country.
Seconding the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, APC, Edo North commended the team for defeating Japan in the final, describing the victory as evidence of the potential and determination of Nigerian youths.
Oshiomhole who urged Nigerians to appreciate the country’s achievements rather than constantly focus on its challenges, also appealed to the Senate leadership to make a donation to the team to support the players’ educational needs alongside their sporting careers.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate said the victory was a significant achievement for Nigeria and Africa, particularly as the Flamingos defeated football nations, including Brazil and Japan.
Akpabio urged the federal government to adequately reward the players and called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sustain the team and continue developing the players for future competitions.
The President of the Senate also appealed to wealthy and sports-loving Nigerians to support the players and encourage other young people to participate in sports.
He noted that the N100 million donation by the National Assembly was intended to recognise the players’ achievement and encourage them to continue bringing honour to the country.
Akpabio said, “I want to commend the Flamingos, the Under-17 youth team of Nigeria, for defeating major countries such as Brazil and Japan to win the Under-17 World Cup for Africa for the first time and for Nigeria.
“We also urge, and we pray that the federal government will recognise these children accordingly and give them adequate rewards.
“The Nigerian Football Federation, under its leadership, should see the need to keep these children together and develop them further.”
Flamingos
He congratulated the players, the Senate Committee on Sports and all Nigerians on the historic victory.
