Gombe FA boss reveals challenges hindering women’s football in Northern Nigeria

By Saheed Afolabi

Yakubu Sarma, Chairman of the Gombe State Football Association (GSFA), has shed light on the challenges hindering the growth of women’s football in the northern region of Nigeria.

Sarma highlighted several factors contributing to the underdevelopment of women’s football in the North, including ethnic differences, religious beliefs, and cultural practices. He lamented that in some areas, societal norms and religious inclinations discourage young girls from participating in football.

“Women’s football in the North faces significant challenges, largely due to factors such as ethnicity, religion, and cultural practices,” Sarma explained in a statement to Daily Trust.

“In many communities, young girls are not afforded the opportunity to play football due to religious considerations. This has hindered the development of women’s football in the region.”

Sarma also pointed out the lack of prominent women’s clubs in the top tiers of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) across the northern states. With the exception of a few clubs like Nasarawa Amazons, Naija Ratels, Honey Badgers, and Adamawa Queens, many states in the North are devoid of significant representation in the NWFL.

“The absence of notable female clubs in the NWFL from most northern states is a concerning issue. Aside from Nasarawa State, where Nasarawa Amazons compete, and Benue State, home to Honey Badgers and Adamawa Queens, there is a lack of prominent female football clubs in the North,” Sarma remarked.

He attributed this dearth of female football clubs to a combination of factors, including limited sponsorship opportunities and entrenched religious and socio-cultural beliefs that hinder female participation in sports.

Sarma’s remarks underscore the pressing need for concerted efforts to address the barriers facing women’s football in the North and promote inclusivity and diversity within the sport across Nigeria.