By Damilola Fatunmise
On 30 June, 2019, the Miss Football Nigeria Organization held a seminar to announce a relaunch of the Beauty Pageant with a focus on women empowerment through football since its commencement in 2016 at Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
At the event, the organization honored Adedotun Olusanya Esq. with the Special Recognition Award as the “Advocate of Female Football Development.” The event, attended by representatives from all chapters of the organization across Nigeria, celebrated Olusanya’s unwavering commitment to advancing female football in Nigeria. .
Adedotun Olusanya, a reputable international sports lawyer, has been a passionate advocate for the development of legal structures and welfare activities for female football in Nigeria. His contributions have been instrumental in fostering a supportive environment for women in the sport, making significant strides in empowerment and development. Olusanya’s work in 2016, titled “Beyond Sports Governance: Constructing a Veritable Platform for Transparency and Accountability in FIFA,” has been a cornerstone in his advocacy. This seminal work laid out his ideas on corporate governance, including term-limitation, auditing of accounts of relevant female sport bodies, and the establishment of a consultative process leading to an acceptable pay structure for female administrators and footballers. These principles have been pivotal in his efforts to develop female football in Nigeria.
Mrs. Abimbola Olaoye, a national chieftain of the Miss Football Nigeria Organization, praised Olusanya’s excellent work. She highlighted his dedication and the profound impact of his lectures over the past three years at the Miss Football Nigeria Organization Beauty Pageant. “Adedotun’s work has been nothing short of transformative,” said Mrs. Olaoye. “His lectures have not only educated but also inspired countless young women to pursue football, breaking down societal barriers and opening doors to new opportunities. He is clearly a pace-setter among Nigerian lawyers emphasizing that administrators in female football must abide by corporate governance principles if we must achieve monumental growth to the benefit of the female footballers and all stakeholders in female football.”
Olaoye highlighted the lectures Olusanya Esq. delivered since 2016 before announcing him as the recipient of the award. She explained that over the past three years, Olusanya’s lectures have provided a comprehensive roadmap for the development of women’s football in Nigeria. In his first year, he focused on football as a catalyst for national development, exploring the sport’s historical context, economic impact, and social benefits. He traced Nigeria’s football journey from colonial times to international successes and analyzed how the sport creates job opportunities and fosters national unity.
The second year saw Olusanya evaluate specific challenges and opportunities in women’s football development. He highlighted grassroots initiatives like the Nigerian Sports Policy and its impact on the Nigerian Women’s Football League. Citing his proposed solutions to the FIFA Governance Regulations 2016 within his “Beyond Sports Governance” work, Olusanya demonstrated how adhering to corporate governance principles will help in addressing societal barriers, infrastructure needs. He also explored how football participation builds essential life skills and opens career pathways for women in the sport.
In his third year, Olusanya shifted focus to strategies for sustainable development in Nigerian football. He analyzed government initiatives and the roles of various stakeholders in promoting women’s football. Olusanya emphasized the importance of education and training, highlighting programs like the training for coaches by the National Institute for Sports. He also stressed the need for corporate sponsorships and international collaborations to enhance Nigerian football, particularly in the women’s sector.
Adedotun Olusanya’s dedication to female football development has had a lasting impact, empowering women and fostering a more inclusive sports environment in Nigeria. His recognition by the Miss Football Nigeria Organization is a testament to his tireless efforts and the positive change he continues to inspire.
Source: https://thesun.ng/celebrating-adedotun-olusanya-advocate-of-female-football-development/