Newly elected Executive Committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Rt. Hon. Margaret Mwuese Icheen representing North central has stated her desire to have formidable female clubs in the north.
The former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly spoke to Daily Trust in an interview where she revealed her aims and visions.
Asked how satisfied she was with development with female football in the region she said "I won’t say hundred percent but fifty percent. I wish that every state in the north should have a female football club. But unfortunately, I can’t say we have many female football clubs in the region. It is therefore my thinking that my presence on the board will help in addressing this deficiency.
As a woman and a mother, I will do my best to see that even if not all northern states, at least half of them have formidable female clubs. As a matter of fact, in the future people will prefer to watch female football to men football. Even now, when you see them playing, you don’t see any difference. So, I am bold to say that very soon, women’s football will bounce more than men’s football."
Icheen, the first elected female member of the board from the north said her mission is grassroots development of football.
"When you are getting into an election, you must have your vision and mission. They say charity should start at home so I will give priority attention to my state,
then the north central and Nigeria in general.
I believe that football is a grassroots affair. It has to be developed at the grassroots. Once the game is well structured and developed at the grassroots, then there will be development at all levels. So, my aim is ensure that football at the grassroots is given all the necessary attention and taken very seriously."
The first and only female FA chairman of Benue state has expressed the NFF board's desire to revamp grassroot football and bring strategies that will ensure this works.