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NSC Pledges Support for HerGame Foundation to Boost Grassroots Women’s Football

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NSC Pledges Support for HerGame Foundation to Boost Grassroots Women’s Football

The National Sports Commission has pledged its full support to the HerGame Foundation, reaffirming its commitment to the growth of women’s football at the grassroots level across Nigeria.

The pledge was made on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by officials of the Abuja-based non-profit foundation to the Chairman of the Commission, Shehu Dikko.

During the meeting, Dikko praised the Foundation for its sustained efforts in developing girls’ football and empowering young female athletes through structured grassroots programmes.

“This foundation, with its extensive initiatives for women’s grassroots football development, deserves our support,” he said while receiving a commemorative frame from the organisation.

He further assured that the Commission would play an active role in the Foundation’s activities going forward.

“Going forward, the National Sports Commission will be actively involved in HerGame Foundation’s football activities and will assist in any way we can to ensure its continued success,” he added.

In response, the President of the HerGame Foundation, Pat Ajuma Ayegba, expressed gratitude for the endorsement, describing it as a major boost for the organisation’s mission.

“The backing of the National Sports Commission will go a long way in ensuring the success of this year’s national grassroots football competition and our broader mission of empowering young girls through sport,” she said.

Founded by Dr. Ayegba, the HerGame Foundation is focused on advancing sports inclusion for girls and women through football. Its programmes aim to build confidence, create opportunities for underprivileged female athletes, and establish clear development pathways for aspiring players.

Beyond tournament organisation, the Foundation works to break gender barriers in sport while providing platforms that connect emerging talents with coaches, scouts, and other key stakeholders in the football ecosystem.

Its flagship competition has recorded significant growth since inception. The second edition of its North Central tournament expanded to 20 grassroots teams, reflecting rising participation and interest in women’s football.

The most recent championship concluded at the Area 3 Sports Complex in Abuja, where Horvel Angels defeated defending champions Fosla Academy 2–0 to win the 2025 HerGame Girls Football Championship.

This year’s edition marked a major milestone, evolving from a city-based competition into a national tournament featuring over 20 teams from all six geopolitical zones. The expanded format increased competitive standards and helped uncover emerging female football talents across the country.

With the backing of the National Sports Commission, stakeholders believe the initiative is now better positioned to accelerate the development of women’s football and expand opportunities for young female athletes nationwide.

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Samuel Ahmadu
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.