The 1st vice-president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Seyi Akinwunmi, has explained that statements he made while he was a guest of the Sports Writers Association (SWAN), Oyo chapter, about issues hampering the smooth-running of female football in the country were misconstrued in the press.
Akinwumi – who claimed to be shocked at the mischievous and uncharitable version of the interview that he has come across in a few reports – was quoted to have said that lesbianism had prevented any full-blown development of female football in Nigeria, refused to agree to the statements attributed to him in the press.
Instead, he chose to clarify his statement.
“I noted that one of the problems we have encountered in trying to raise funds for the women’s game is the perception that it has been corrupted by lesbianism, many of our potential sponsors have shied away from supporting the women’s game because of the misconception that it is synonymous with lesbianism. These potential sponsors do not want to be caught up in this maelstrom. Unfortunately, a few other persons have also taken advantage of this misconception to cause division and disaffection in some of our female teams, thereby stunting their growth.
“I informed the pressmen gathered there that the NFF is sparing no effort to correct this erroneous perception and to spur the growth and development of the women’s game, because of our belief that there are still potential sponsors that can 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,” Akinwumi corrected.
END
Be the first to comment