NAWIS inaugurates Anambra chapter after 31-yrs of formation

The Association of Nigerian Women in Sports (NAWIS), on Thursday, inaugurated its chapter in Anambra State, after 31-years of establishment.

THE PARADISE gathered that the association was created in 1990 in order to develop and deliver equitable opportunities for women in Nigeria and also to overcome the impediments that hinder the participation and achievement of Nigerian women in sports such as myths, taboos, discriminatory practices and negative attitudes.

And that came into being through the vision and ingenuity of its National President, Professor Florence Bola Adeyanju.

The inauguration took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Auditorium, Awka, over the weekend.

In her address, the NAWIS National President, Professor Adeyanju, called on governments at all level to provide enabling environment and facilities that would promote greater participation of the girl-child and women in sporting activities in Nigeria.

While noting that sports can be used to curb rising crimes and sectional agitations, Adeyanju also urged parents to allow their female children to venture into sports of all kinds for self-empowerment.

According to her, “If Nigeria wants to better her achievements in sports, there is need for increased involvement of women. If Nigeria aspires to attain the greatest heights in international competition, there must be a change of attitude regarding the treatment and stigma attached to those women who participate in sports.

“We need to use sports to implement the change of our social and cultural perception of women, improve their confidence. There is a need to create more awareness in primary and secondary schools on sports.

“We call on the state government and the entire community to treat and encourage women in sports by giving them good facilities, good quality equipment and materials, coaching and training, sports leadership opportunities, as well as to ensure prompt payment of allowances”, she said.

Adeyanju said part of the objectives of the association was to promote gender equity, stimulate interest, encourage, mobilise and increase the participation of women in sports in Nigeria – as well as to assist government at all levels, sports clubs, schools and the society in general, in any matter directly related to Nigerian women in sports

On her part, the Anambra State Coordinator of NAWIS, Faith Okwonna, said the event would never go down in the annals of sports development in the state, and noted that the association, founded in 1990, would help to develop and deliver equitable opportunities for women in Nigeria and also overcome impediments that hinder the participation and achievement of Nigerian Women in Sports such as myths, taboos, discriminatory practices and negative attitudes.