By

Chinenye Chukwuma

In a vibrant display of sportsmanship and advocacy, the Area 3 Football Field in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja became the epicenter of social change on March 6, 2026, as the FAME Foundation hosted its annual International Women’s Day football tournament.

 

The tournament, which featured 13 women’s teams drawn from grassroots communities, served as a powerful platform to bridge societal gaps and promote the inclusion of women through the universal language of sport. The event attracted high-level representation from across Nigeria’s social and political sectors, highlighting the growing recognition of sports as a tool for social transformation.

 

The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, graced the occasion and performed the ceremonial kickoff to officially open the tournament. Addressing participants and spectators, the minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to strengthening social stability and empowering women across the country. She noted that the Federal Government has declared 2026 the “Year of the Family and Social Development,” a national mandate aimed at reinforcing the country’s domestic foundation through targeted advocacy and support programmes.

 

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mr. Shehu Dikko, commended the organisers for creating a platform that combines sports with social advocacy. He described the tournament as a model initiative capable of inspiring similar programmes nationwide.

 

According to sports officials present, the sustainable growth of women’s sports in Nigeria will require a renewed focus on grassroots development, along with increased investment in accessible and high-quality sporting facilities across the Federal Capital Territory and other regions of the country.

 

Representing the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre under the Ministry of Youth Development, Ms. Rinsola Abiola outlined a three-pillar strategy aimed at advancing female empowerment. The strategy focuses on expanding access to leadership training and vocational skills, creating sustainable pathways to economic independence, and strengthening legal frameworks that safeguard the rights and security of young women.

 

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, the Executive Director of FAME Foundation, Mrs. Arabinrin Aderonke, emphasized that the initiative goes far beyond competition on the field. She stated that the foundation uses football as a tool for social change, stressing that initiatives like the tournament play a crucial role in promoting inclusion and building a society free from inequality.

 

She added that the foundation, working alongside its Board of Trustees and in collaboration with key government institutions, remains committed to using sports-based advocacy to unlock human potential and empower communities.

 

By aligning its efforts with the Ministry of Women Affairs and the Youth Commission, the FAME Foundation aims to ensure that the impact of the tournament extends beyond the pitch and translates into meaningful community engagement and policy-driven change.

 

The success of the March tournament at Area 3 further demonstrates the power of sports as a catalyst for advocacy in Nigeria. For the 13 teams that took to the field, the competition represented far more than a quest for a trophy—it symbolized a collective drive toward a future defined by equality, opportunity, and justice for women and girls.