Nigeria's sports commission sees Flamingos' U17 world title as proof of its reforms
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Trust
The chairman of Nigeria's National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has hailed the Flamingos' victory as under-17 women's world champions after their 2-1 win over Japan in the final in Rabat, a first for Nigeria and for Africa. He sees it as proof that reforms at local level are bearing fruit, according to a Daily Trust statement.
The chairman of Nigeria's National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, presented the Flamingos' world title, the Nigerian women's under-17 team, as proof that the commission's reforms are already bearing fruit, according to a statement signed by Zira Nagga, the NSC's head of press and publicity, cited by the Daily Trust. Nigeria beat Japan 2-1 in the final on Saturday evening in Rabat, Morocco, winning their first title in the competition.
For Shehu Dikko, the victory makes Nigeria the first African nation to win the under-17 women's World Cup. "When we get it right at the grassroots, the top will be corrected too. This victory is a powerful reminder that investing in young athletes, strengthening our training structures and creating opportunities for talent produces results for Nigeria," he said. He congratulated the players, the technical staff and the management, calling their performance a decisive moment for Nigerian football.
The official added that this renewal must be sustained by reforms at all levels, judging it essential to build a solid foundation to produce excellence at the highest level. The Flamingos' triumph, already hailed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and by the Nigerian sports journalists' federation, which is calling for more investment in women's football, comes after the calls to mobilise around the final made by Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football.
