By Our Correspondent

The Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN) on Thursday donated various sports equipment to Government Girls Secondary School Dutse, Abuja, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

AFFAN, a non governmental organization also introduced an inter departmental sports competition to be organised by the group and scheduled to begin next week in the school.

Veteran handball player and President of AFFAN, Dr. Toyin Aluko encouraged the girls to participate in sports.

Aluko, who is also a retired sports administrator narrated how she was discovered as an athlete at a young age and reiterated the group’s intention to give back to the society.

“We have not had any group of people standing in the gap for girls. In the sport sector, there are different forms of abuse- sexual, mental, physical, verbal abuse.

“The girls don’t really have who to complain to. So, we are here to stand in the gap as a voice for female athletes in Nigeria.

“(As an athlete) I was discovered and mentored by people who are not related to me and by 16 years of age I was already representing Nigeria at international championships.

“The members of AFFAN have at one point or the other represented this country and we are here to mentor, ‘catch them Young’s and give back to the society,” Aluko said.

Hajia Rukayat Hussaini, principal of the school thank the association for donating the items while urging the students to make judicious use of them.

“We thank AFFAN for coming to our school and donating these sporting equipment to us.

“I hope that the program will bring lots of success to our students. I want to urge the students to work hard both in academics and sports and make judicious use of the items here.

“We know that the students will excel ‘since we lead and others follow’, the principal said.

Meanwhile a representative of the Secondary Education Board thanked the group and urged both students and teachers of the school to participate in sports.

However, the AFFAN mini sports competition is scheduled for Jan. 22 to Jan. 24 within the school premises with football, volleyball and basketball featuring in the event.

The other AFFAN members in attendance are Mr. Benjamin Obe, Group Captain Rahinatu Garba, Halima Benjamin, Cynthia Maurice and Tidah Gabriel.