Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa, has congratulated Nasarawa Amazons for finishing the 2021/22 Nigeria Women’s Football League Premiership Season as runners-up.
The Commissioner expressed this shortly after the State’s team narrowly lost their final Super Six tournament match 1-2 to Bayelsa Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, on Sunday afternoon.
Yargwa disclosed that he was impressed with the performance of the girls at the tournament, noting that they were pre-tournament favourites but lost out due to clusters of fixtures and fatigue.
He attributed the success of the team to the unflinching financial and moral supports from the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, whom he described as a father and sport-loving Governor.
The Commissioner equally acknowledged the support of critical stakeholders in the State and beyond who continue to show solidarity with the two-time NWFL champions and 2019 Aiteo Federation Cup winners.
Notable among the stakeholders he mentioned include the Nasarawa State Football Association(NSFA), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Nigeria Women’s Football League(NWFL), Nigeria Referees Association(NRA), Supporters’ Club, the Media and Security Agencies.
Accompanied by the Senior Special Assistants to Governor Abdullahi on Youth Development and Sports Affairs, Comrades Shuaibu Sani and Hamza Moyi Awe, Amb. Yargwa who joined other echelons of Nigerian football and top Government officials to present medals and special awards to players, coaches and dignitaries at the closing ceremony of the event commended the leadership of the Aisha Falode-led Board of the Nigeria Women’s Football League, Sponsors of the Super Six Tournament and Edo State Government for ensuring a hitch-free completion of the League Season.
But advised that the league body should reconsider running a full season league rather than the abridged format where eventual champions would be determined by a Super Six Tournament.
According to him, “I want to thank the Board of the NWFL and their sponsors for the wonderful job they are doing to give prominence to women’s football in Nigeria.
“I know it’s not easy for them and some of the teams, more so that the world is facing economic hardships since the advent of the infamous deadly corona virus pandemic, but I think it will be better if the league is run on a full calendar rather than this abridged format.
“If you look at the number of teams in the league, you will agree with me that this is achievable, and this means we won’t need an additional period to determine the league winners.
“For instance, a team may emerge with the highest number of points at the end of the abridged version but might fail to win the super six tournament, just like Nasarawa Amazons who ended the normal league games with the highest points in both Groups ‘A’ and ‘B’ but lost to Bayelsa Queens in the final of the super six.
“I had interactions with some key stakeholders during the match and they aligned their thoughts with mine.
“So, I just hope the league organisers will give this a second thought and see how we can have a straight league calendar”, he suggested.
Nasarawa Amazons who finished top of their Group ‘B’ standings with 27 points failed to win their third league title as Bayelsa Queens ended the Super Six Tournament with fifteen points from five matches, thereby emerging as champions of the 2021/22 NWFL Season and would represent Nigeria at the 2022/23 Women’s CAF Champions League.
The Solid Babes came 2nd with nine points while Rivers Angels emerged 3rd with eight points.
