’Inspire people to aspire’ - Ms Oshodi demands for more opportunities for women in football

Ms. Christiana Oshodi during her keynote address at the SheFootball Conference.

GRASSROOTS ’Inspire people to aspire’ - Ms Oshodi demands for more opportunities for women in football

Izuchukwu Akawor 09:26 - 07.01.2023

The UK-based UEFA instructor believes Nigerian men must be allies to ensure more women get into sports and are inspired and supported.

Nigerian-born coach and scout Ms Christina Oshodi has called for more involvement and support for women in Nigerian football.

Oshodi made this clarion call during the sixth edition of the SheFootball Conference held in Lagos, Nigeria.

The SheFootball Conference is an annual initiative for empowering Nigerian girls and women put together by former Super Falcons star, Ayisat-Yusuf Aromire and her foundation.

It was the 6th edition of the SheFootball Conference.

Ms Oshodi was a speaker at the event held at the SWAN Hall inside the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos State, on Friday afternoon.

Why SheFootball is important

Speaking to Pulse Sports Nigeria moments after the programme, Ms Oshodi highlighted amongst other things the importance of the conference.

Ms Oshodi speaking after the programme.

She noted that it's imperative to inspire the girls, who were ably represented by eight football teams, and other women to aspire to be more than they already are in the industry.

"As a football player and a coach who cares, it's important to inspire so people can aspire," Ms Oshodi began.

A cross section of the girls at the event.

"Some of these girls, they'd be breadwinners for their families, they'd try to make something for themselves. So, if there is anything that i can do or that Ayisat-Yusuf has already been doing to help these young people to be able to become something or someone, why not?"

"It is something that God has called us to do for our sisters and brothers. I am just obeying my call."

Oshodi wants to see more women involved in football

The passionate coach also demanded for the involvement of more women in the game as she noted the key bottlenecks that must be dealt with to ensure women's football is fully developed.

Ms Oshodi, in highlighting the problems bedeviling the development of women in football, called on the men to rise to the occasion and play a more active role.

Dignitories at the She conference

"There are so many things (in terms of bottlenecks)," she added. "One is the misconceptions. Right now, you guys as journalists are all males - it's not a bad thing - but you guys are in a position to support and help females who are trying to come into this."

"There are a few already as it is, so, you (men) have got a role to play as allies for females to get in. That was one of the challenges i had - most of my mentors were males because they were the ones who ran football for a very long time. So, if i now can be a female who can help females and males come into the game, i will do that."

Ms Oshodi (4th from left) and other key speakers at the SheFootball Conference.

Ms Christiana Oshodi spoke on the topic "exploring the potentials of Women's football in modern age" at the SheFootball Conference.

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