Tinubu’s rewards spark fresh debate among ex-Falcons

Several former Nigerian women’s football stars under the aegis of United Ex-Super Falcons of Nigeria Worldwide have showered praise on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, for their renewed commitment to appreciating women footballers and pledging to do more.

The likes of former captain Kikelomo Ajayi, Prisca Emeafu, and Patience Avre-Odeli were ecstatic after Wednesday’s online meeting with several ex-Super Falcons players, where they applauded Tinubu’s gesture of rewarding the current Falcons with millions of naira, land, and national honours following their WAFCON triumph in Morocco.

Ajayi said the administration’s recognition has inspired a new generation of female footballers across the nation.

“The nation stands to gain from this initiative,” she added, while urging the presidency to extend the same honour and appreciation to past heroines who laid the foundation for today’s successes.

US-based Avre-Odeli lauded Dikko for providing sound advice to the presidency on sports development.

“United Ex-Super Falcons players monitored Mallam Dikko’s comments at a youth rendezvous in Abuja, and we were impressed with his vision. Dikko confirmed that recommendations have been made to President Tinubu, who will use his discretion to honour many of us who shed sweat and blood to bring glory to Nigeria. For us, it’s a new dawn for Nigerian sports,” she said.

Ireland-based ex-Falcons vice captain Emeafu expressed regret that her generation was not as fortunate as the present-day Falcons

Some of us won AWC — now WAFCON — but never received a dime from government, the NFF, or the sports ministry,” she said.

She revealed that she needed $40,000 for surgery to treat a knee injury sustained during her time in the Super Falcons camp ahead of a FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Recalling a traumatic experience, Emeafu noted, “I suffered a severe leg dislocation when armed robbers stormed the Falcons camp at Obasanjo Farms in Ota. I was disfigured, yet never honoured or appreciated. Many of my colleagues are suffering today because of irresponsible leadership. It is our prayer that President Tinubu and Mallam Dikko correct the mistakes of the past and show us love.”

Also speaking, another US-based ex-Falcons star, Martha Tarhemba, thanked President Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their generosity while appealing for urgent medical support.