As the sun rose on International Women’s Day, nothing was more befitting to commemorate the occasion than the joyful sounds of whistles, cheered applause, and the rhythmic thumping of football.
The Plateau State Football Association under the leadership of an exceptional football administrator, Hon Dr Suleiman Yahaya Kwande painted an incredible image of celebration, utilizing the global appeal of football to honour the strides made by women across the world with a four – team tournament comprising of Plateau Queens, Tincity Queens, Mighty Jets Mata and Utan Babes
This innovative merriment exemplifies the PSFA’s determination to promoting gender parity within sports.
The association’s concerted effort in highlighting women’s football on International Women’s Day showcases female athletes’ abilities, thereby stimulating out-dated gender paradigms that have often downgraded women in sports.
Situated in the heart of Nigeria, Plateau State carries a rich history of embracing diversity, and its Football Association (PSFA) has never celebrated notable calendar dates with sports events but since the assumption of office of the current board led by the former member of the National Assembly, Hon Dr Suleiman Yahaya Kwande, the PSFA chose a ground-breaking celebration of a mini football tournament to commemorate this all important day with sport and not mere symbolism.
In terms of both encouragement and irrefutable prominence, sports event such as this football competition symbolizes a major stage for promoting gender equality. Football, generally recognized as ‘the beautiful game’, surpasses geographical boundaries and has power and influence that few entities can match.
This football tournament is not just a tribute to International Women’s Day but also a commendable effort to echo the parity of women in football
With breath taking moments and scintillating displays so far that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the tournament’s finals will be graced by the First Lady of the state, H.E Barr Mrs Helen Manasseh Mutfwang, H.E Ngo Josephine Piyo, Deputy Governor, Plateau State, H.E Dame Pauline Tallen, the immediate past Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Caroline Dafur, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Chairman of Langtang South LGC, Mrs Manji Dangfa, Wife of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly amongst many notable personalities.
The final promises to display an abundance of talent, determination, and a matchless variety of aesthetic and athletic football artistry.
It will surely excite the audience with a distinct reality–that women’s sports, particularly football, resist the archaic and out-dated concepts of femininity and strength when Plateau Queens lock horns in a derby encounter with their perennial rivals, Mighty Jets Mata at the New Jos Stadium, Zaria Road by 3pm
©PFA Media 2024
