A former Assistant Coach of the Super Falcons, Joy Etim on Wednesday urged veteran female football players to collaborate with corporate bodies to revive the game in Nigeria.

Etim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the veterans should also collaborate with private and public school authorities to discover and develop potentials from the grassroots.

She said that while the veterans were discovering talents from the grassroots, corporate bodies’ sponsorship would help to develop the talents to stardom.

Etim said there were talented youths at the grassroots mostly in schools, but needed the efforts of the veterans to discover and the support of corporate bodies to promote.

According to Etim, corporate organisations and spirited individuals prefer to deal with professionals for sponsorship.

“While soliciting for the promotion and sponsorship of female football, we realise that companies and individuals are more comfortable to commit their money when professionals are involved.

“Some of the players in the national teams were products from the grassroots and we adopt diverse measures that will help us in identifying potential female footballers.

“I am recommending the involvement of veterans so that schools can bring them in to help them in getting sponsors to support female football in their schools.”

The former coach decried the non-inclusion of female football with male football in schools annual inter-house sports, saying it was a setback to the development on the sector.

According to her, grassroots football should be balanced and must be given equal consideration whenever a competition of such was being organised.

She said this would enable both gender to showcase their talents and balance the equilibrium for even development.

“Each house at inter-house sports should have male and female teams in the football event to compete and to give equal opportunity to both genders.”

Etim added that the step would provide an enabling environment for sponsors to donate kit to both sides.

She noted that donation of kit served would motivate young players and also build their confidence to be part of school’s team. (NAN)

•Photo shows Super falcons

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