Nasarawa promotes Amazons’ players, coaches for winning Super Four trophy

NWFL settles winners’ cash prizes
Champions of the 2016/2017 Nigerian Female Football League, Nasarawa Amazons could not hold their excitement yesterday when the state government announced an upgrade in their salaries.

The team, which arrived in Lafia from Benin yesterday, was treated to a lavish reception by the Nasarawa State government in Lafia.

The Amazons arrived in the state at about 10 am and was driven in a motorcade round Lafia to the admiration of their fans who lined the streets to catch a glimpse of their heroines.

Speaking at the reception held at Lafia Stadium, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Bamaiyi Anangba congratulated the players and officials for the victory, assuring them of continued government support.

He promised that government would reward them for the hard work, while assuring that those not on salary would be fully engaged.

Also speaking at the reception, Alhaji Audu Nuhu, who is the chairman of the club, applauded the team for the wonderful performance, especially the team spirit exhibited by the players during the tournament.

Meanwhile, NWPL Chairman, Aisha Falode has revealed that all monies promised teams, including those that took part in the exhibition game, have been redeemed.

Falode said apart from the N500,000 cash that was given to the four participating teams in the Super Four, namely Rivers Angels, Delta Queens, Bayelsa Queens and Nasarawa Amazons, prize monies for the top three teams have also been remitted.

“You know the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, through his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu gave all the four participating teams cash right at the stadium after the final and the two teams that played the exhibition game, Edo Queens and Robo Queens, also got N250, 000 cash same day,” Falode said.

She added that the N3 million prize money for champions, Nasarawa Amazons, the N2 million runners up prize for Delta Queens and the N1 million prize money for third place finishers, Bayelsa Queens, which was paid by Akogate Group of companies, which also supplied the waters for the tournament, have already been remitted to the accounts of all clubs concerned ‘in the spirit of probity and accountability.”

She said that with the support and enthusiasm shown by the Edo State government, her leadership will return soon for more events in women football, because as she puts it : ”We are like the proverbial Oliver Twist”.

She also has kind words for Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who attended all the games of the Super 4. “When last did you see a top official of government  in the caliber of a Deputy Governor coming for all the games in our Super 4. God bless Governor Obaseki and his Comrade deputy, Philip Shaibu.

I am really head over heels with what they have done to lift women football. The next World Cup will likely see Nigeria competing for the championship, thanks to Edo State and our brother Akogate Group of companies.”