Senate Endorses AFFAN, Promises Robust Relationship With Association

Senate Endorses AFFAN, Promises Robust Relationship With Association

By Niyi Busari

Chairman Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi on Wednesday endorsed Association of Former Female Athletes Association of Nigeria (AFFAN) promised them robust relationship and quality support from the National Assembly, BSNSports.com.mg reports.

The Senator representing Bauchi central senatorial district promised the members of the association of getting appointments at different sports federations through the National Sports Commission.

"We are happy with what you are doing and we appreciate that. Why I am so excited with you is that, all of you are former athletes and this is one aspect that we must be serious about. You see on social media, many sports heroes being abandoned. People who have won laurels for this country have been abandoned because there was no packages for the nation to remember those who sweat and won medals for the country. That does not happen in Great Britain and the USA and other developed countries. Heroes supposed to always be heroes until they go to their graves. Therefore, when I see people like you and all of you are women coming together to move mountains. So, we are going to interact with you, relate with you very well and encourage the Chairman National Sports Commission in bringing you to the front burner of different sports federations. Continue to do your activities but always communicate with the public about your missions and visions. I want to assure of the Senate supports and will make sure that the NSC capture you in their programmes."

Also speaking, the President of AFFAN, Toyin Aluko in her speech said, "as former female athletes, we have dedicated our lives to representing Nigeria on the global stage, our states and tertiary institutions, breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation of female athletes. We are always eager to give back to the sport that shaped our lives, by investing in the next generation as we help to ensure the continued growth and success of women’s sports.

"AFFAN was established in response to the yearnings of hundreds of former female athletes who have distinguished themselves in various spheres of life for a platform through which they could come together as a body to give back to society.

"AFFAN is committed to transforming the lives of girls and communities by using the sports platform to discover, educate, empower, and mentor potential athletes through sporting activities and programmes.

"We promote female participation in sports at all levels and also encourage young girls to balance sports and education while they are still competing so that they can have a better life after sports.

"We serve as a voice for female athletes in Nigeria to help ameliorate the many challenges of girls in sports, such as mental and emotional stress, physical, verbal, and sexual abuse and harassment on and off the field of play. 

"As former athletes, we also serve as mentors and role models to younger athletes, having succeeded academically and in the field of sports. We have ample experience navigating the challenges and triumphs of a sports career, which eminently positions us to provide mentorship programmes that help younger athletes prepare for their sports career journeys.

"As successful women in sports, career and academics, we motivate and expose performing athletes to career development advice training during and after sports programmes to prepare them for life after sports while they are still active.

"Our association is committed to ensuring that former athletes' contributions to sports are acknowledged, valued, and harnessed to actively engage their communities in sports outreach programmes that promote health, wellness, and sports participation among women and girls across Nigeria.

"We advocate for increased representation of women in sports governance both on and off the field of play, from the training ground to the boardroom and beyond. The visibility of women in leadership positions serves as a source of encouragement for young girls and women, inspiring them to have a career in sports."