By Amaechi Agbo

Former Super Falcons player, Mary Godspower on Sunday marked the 2021 International Women’s Day in Abuja with a seminar and novelty match to bring home the message of this year’s global event.

Coach Mary who is a CAF licensed coach and secretary of state sports associations in the Federal Capital Territory said the event was organised to show support to the girl child and also bring awareness on the need to support the girl child achieve her dream in combining sports and education.

Speaking after the event held at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Abuja, the Vice Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council Referees Association as well as member, FCT FA Referee Committee said that she was motivated to organise the event because she benefited from combining education and football during her career as a footballer.

“I decided to do this because I was once a footballer. Every Girl child faces a lot of challenges. A lot of them don’t have parents.

“Some who have parents, they do not have the financial strength to help the girls actualise their dreams to be sports women. So it is very challenging for them.

“I know what I have achieved through football. So I was motivated to do this to create awareness and call for support for the girl child,”

Coach Mary advised girls who want to pursue football or other sports as their career to ensure that they do so while attending school at the same time.

She encouraged the girls to be courageous and pursue their dreams but not to the detriment of their education which she said is key to their survival in life.

Speaking on the theme: “Take A Girl Child Off The Street Through Sports” the lead speaker in the seminar, Mrs Esther Ehoba, Head of Department, FCT School Sports, under the Social Development Secretariat, Abuja, called on the girl child no be focused in pursuing their dreams.

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While mentioning prominent Nigeria women who have excelled in their chosen careers such as Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iwuala, who is the current World Trade Organization, WTO Director-General, and the first African woman to occupy such global position as well as Super Falcons players and athletes such as Chioma Ajunwa-Opara who is the only Africa woman to win anything Olympic gold medal in track event; Mrs Esther advised them to be determined and not be discouraged when they face challenges.

In the novelty match played to mark the day, WACO female football team came from 1 -0 down to defeat FOMGA 2-1 in an entertaining clash.

Dignitaries that graced the event include: Hajiya Amina Daura; Head of Female Football, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF; Dr Unity Nosa Oseghe; Regional Head, Abuja North Central, Keystone Bank and Ogechi Obi, Chairman, a member of Referee Association, Abuja Municipal

Others are: Ambassador Jamila Buhari, First Female Referee and FIFA Ex International and Mrs Whoba Esther, the speaker.

International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 to commemorate the cultural, political, and socio-economic achievements of women.

It is also a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence against women.