Ebere Amaraizu, an Olympic Solidarity Sports Administrator, has called for greater inclusion of women in sports, stating that it would help tap into their enormous potential for effective societal change and development. Amaraizu, who is also the Chairman of the Enugu State Taekwondo Association, made this known in a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu. In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), he spoke extensively on the need for more women to participate in sports and be given opportunities to showcase their talents.
Amaraizu explained that women have great potential that could bring positive change and development to society if well harnessed and put into constant use. He noted that Nigeria is ready for full compliance with the creation of formidable women’s football teams in all premier league and national league club-sides. This would provide a wider inclusion and opportunities for women in sports.
He emphasized that more attention needs to be given to grassroots sports talent hunt and discovery, anchored on the creation of awareness and promotion of women’s participation in sports. This will enable the use of their enormous potential for the required societal change in the sports ecosystem.
Amaraizu expressed his desire for more clubs to emulate Nasarawa Amazons, Bayelsa Queens, Heartland, Rivers Angels, and Confluence Queens, by building female football clubs like Enyimba Queens FC and Rangers International Amazon. He also stated that the grassroots sports framework should include more women in boxing, chess, athletics, taekwondo, mixed martial arts, triathlon, arm wrestling, judo, basketball, volleyball, handball, cycling, and other sports.
In conclusion, Amaraizu believes that the potentials of women, especially in sports, are not adequately harnessed and explored because not enough attention is paid to women’s inclusion in sports to promote excellence, which is one of the core Olympic Values. Therefore, there is a need for women to be given more opportunities in sports to showcase their abilities and contribute to the development of society.
