Daily Independent (Lagos)
Akinwunmi King
28 June 2011
Lagos — The Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) will discuss the plight of Super Falcons players and the poor state of women football at a special seating on Wednesday
The Assembly decided to discuss the issue after over 1000 Nigerians marched to the assembly complex on Tuesday to present their grievances over the plight of Super Falcons players and the poor treatment of women footballers in the country. The walk was organised by The Female Football Foundation (FFF).
A member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, who represented the Speaker, Adeyemi Kuforiji, promised that the grievances of the foundation members would be discussed at a special seating of the House on Wednesday.
According to him, the issues raised by the foundation were of utmost importance to the development of women football in the country, saying that the matter will be raised under urgent public importance.
Agunbiade promised to ensure that members take a critical look at the issues raised by the foundation with the view to recommending to Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) for execution.
He said that Super Falcons were not representing themselves but the country at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, saying that the players deserve to be properly treated.
Mr. Tony Uranta, husband of the convener of the foundation, Barong Tony Uranta, set the ball rolling at the assembly complex when he informed the assembly members of the discriminatory treatment suffered by Super Falcons players in terms of allowances, winning bonuses, and general treatment. He also added that the players are sexually harassed all the time with nobody ever punished by the authority.
According to him, while Super Eagles players each get $10,000 as winning bonus, Falcons players each get less than $1000 despite having achieve much in Africa.
“Falcons has won the African Women’s Nations Cup six out of seven times but they get nothing. The last time they won the trophy, they were ferried in a truck like goats and rams meant for the slaughter house.None of them have been given houses or national award. I think they deserve more than what they are getting,” he said.
President of the Foundation, Princess Bola Jegede in her speech said that the essence of the walk was to solicit for the assistance of the state government to support the efforts of the foundation at improving the lot of women footballers in the country.
“We are here to say we need your support. We are appealing to you all to come to the aid of your daughters. Some of them are your grandchildren. If you look at the family background of these girls, you will feel sorry for them.
“We are saying if you give the boys $10,000, at least $8,000 will be okay for the girls. We are not saying you should give the boys $10,000 and give the girls $750, what are they going to do with it?” she queried.
The Clerk of the house and Permanent Secretary of the Assembly, Mr. Taiwo Olatunji who addressed the rally assured them of the House’s support. He said the group should formally write a letter to the House on its request for it to be acted upon with utmost importance.
Also addressing the rally, Honourable Sanai Agunbiade representing Ikorodu 1 constituency, commended the group for their concern on the plight of the Super Falcons and the civility with which they had gone about it.
“On behalf of the House of Assembly, we will tell you that this effort shall not be in vain. We will inform the House about this your visit. You know the number one citizen of the state, His Excellency Babatunde Fashola is a footballer, we will make recommendations to him that he should come to the succour of the female footballers who are not there on their own or their families,” Agunbiade said
Notable member who took part in the walk are former governorship aspirant in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje, Chairman of the interim Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Jarret Tenebe, president of the National Association of Nigerian Footballers, Harrison Jalla and television presenter, Agatha Amata among others.
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Nigeria: LAHA to Discuss Super Falcons Wednesday