Senate donates N100m to Flamingos for U-17 World Cup triumph

The senate has announced a N100 million donation to players and officials of the Flamingos following their U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the reward during plenary on Tuesday while presiding over a motion sponsored by Abdul Ningi, the senator representing Bauchi Central.

Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 on Saturday to become the first African side to clinch the women’s U17 world title. The victory was also Nigeria’s first-ever global trophy in women’s football.

Oluebube Umejiaku was named the player of the tournament. The 16-year-old won multiple player-of-the-match awards throughout the tournament and scored four goals, including the decisive one against Japan. The girls returned to the country on Monday with the trophy.

During Tuesday’s plenary session, Adam Oshiomhole, the senator from Edo North, appealed to the senate leadership for a donation to support the players’ educational needs alongside their sporting careers.

Akpabio adopted the motion and added that the N100 million donation by the lawmakers was intended to recognise the players’ achievement and encourage them to continue bringing honour to the country.

The senate president then called on the federal government to adequately reward the players, adding that they should receive the same level of financial recognition given to the country’s last Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)-winning team.

He also appealed to wealthy and sports-loving Nigerians to support the players and encourage other young people to participate in sports.