Emmanuel Adesanya, Secretary of Nigeria Women’s Professional Football League (NWPL), on Thursday canvassed for improved women's league in the country.
``There is need for the women’s league to be given more attention for it to grow,’’ Adesanya told journalist in Abuja.
According to him, equal attention should be given to national male and female leagues.
``The General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mohammed Sanusi is working to ensure that women league is given 100 per cent attention just like the men’s league.
``Women’s league department and the women’s league itself need to be harmonized at the NFF, so that they will raise the standard of women league,’’ he said.
Adesanya noted that there had been some measure of improvements in women’s league.
``There is a lot of the improvement in the league now; we have a lady that scores hatricks, back to back, a player from Osun babes FC has done that.
``She was well celebrated by the league management as a way of encouraging her.
``This has also served as a tonic to the others players to put in their best; once they put in their best they will be recognised,’’ he said.
Adesanya, then appealed to state governments to sponsor 2015 women’s Super 6 tournament
``What is delaying us has been a lack of funds, we have gone to at least five states for sponsorship; we have yet to receive positive answers from any of them.
``Some of the governors are new, some have some inherited debts that they have to offset.
``But they must also understand that sponsorship of championships like this will provide them the avenues to empower the youths.
``If they organise event like women football competition, they are not only be enhancing women capacity, they are equally taking care of the youths.
``Federal government wants youth to be fully engaged in activities, so as to reduce the cases of insurgency across the country; sports can be used as one of the vehicles for such empowerment,'' he said.
Adesanya also urged corporate bodies, individuals, NGOs and philanthropists to sponsor female football in the country.