By Bukola Kayode
The atmosphere was lively and jubilant, when Assistant Coach of the Super Falcons, Ms. Maureen Madu was inducted into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame today.
Her induction attracted some of the biggest names in sports such as Olympic medalist, Mary Onyali, President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick, chairman of the League Management Company, Mr. Shehu Dikko and a host of other ex –internationals.
Ms. Madu was one of the 23 new faces slated for induction into the Nigerian Women of Fame, but she was absent at the main event, as she was in France for the Women’s World Cup.
She was inducted today, as women selected for induction who are unavoidably absent, can be inducted individually.
Ms. Madu is the first player to attain 100 appearances for the Super Falcons, including appearances in four Women’s World Cup tournaments and 2000/2004 Olympics.
In her welcome address, Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Mary Ekpere-Eta described Madu as a role model, who earned her place in the prestigious, Hall of Fame.
She reiterated the commitment of the NCWD to celebrate women who have made their mark in their chosen fields, especially through inducting them into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame.
There was a flurry of goodwill messages for Ms. Madu, starting with the NFF President, who said her induction was a testament that sports has the power to take any hardworking and dedicated athlete to the highest pedestal.
Pinnick, who was represented by the Assistant Secretary of the NFF, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, commended the NCWD for recognizing genuine heroines, thereby ensuring that women who have attained greatness stand shoulder to shoulder notwithstanding their backgrounds.
For Mary Onyali, she described Madu’s induction as an honor for all Nigerian women. She disclosed that 85 percent of the medals Nigeria won at the Olympics came from women. She hailed Madu as a shining example, young girls can emulate.
Also describing Madu as a good role model for the younger generation were the Head of the Technical Department at the NFF, Bitrus Bewarang and the chairman of the FCT Chapter of the Sports Writers Association (SWAN), Ndubueze Chidoka.
After she was presented her crystal plague signaling her formal induction into the Hall of Fame, Madu unveiled her name board, even as she thanked the NCWD, NFF, SWAN, her former teammates and fans of women’s soccer.
She called on all stakeholders and willing sponsors to join hands to promote women’s football.
Ekpere-Eta was supported at the event by the management staff of the NCWD.
Be the first to comment