The Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria, AFFAN will be launched To Be Launched In October this year, Bestchoicesports.com.ng understands.
The Chairperson of the association Dr (Mrs) Esther Oluwatoyin Aluko disclosed this on Thursday at a press conference held at the Nigeria Institute for Sports in Lagos to announce the establishment of the Association and sensitize the society of the aims and objectives of the body.
Dr Aluko called on all former female athletes to come on board and contribute their quota to the welfare of active and retired sports women in Nigeria and in the diaspora.
“I am delighted to officially introduce to you the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN).
AFFAN was established in response to the yearnings of thousands of former female athletes across the federation and in the diaspora who have distinguished themselves in various spheres of life.
“The primary objective of the Association is to give back to the society by serving as role models to female athletes and ensuring academic, moral and sports excellence required for a complete female athlete during and after sports participation”
AFFAN plans to establish a scholarship scheme to encourage female athletes to successfully combine sports with academics. Consequently, Dr Aluko said that the Association will partner with sports institutions, federations and associations to bring this to fruition.
“Sports women will no longer be called school drop outs. AFFAN will partner with corporate bodies to encourage and support female athletes’ education through the award of scholarships. Education makes an athlete to be relevant at decision-making levels after active sports participation, therefore, AFFAN will collaborate with media organisations to ensure a comprehensive and accurate portrayal of the image of female athletes.
“We want to create an awareness that will motivate retired female athletes to continually contribute meaningfully to sports development in Nigeria by taking up positions locally and internationally in the administrative, technical (officiating & Coaching) and in politics.”
AFFAN is registered as an autonomous organization with activities linked to the promotion of active and retired female athletes.