Head Coach of the Super Falcons, Coach Madugu Justin Panidi, has reaffirmed his commitment to boosting women’s participation in football across Nigeria’s northern states, with a strong emphasis on grassroots development.
Speaking in Jos, Coach Madugu said the initiative is designed to identify and nurture hidden talents in communities where young female footballers often lack access to opportunities, exposure, and structured support systems.
“We are deliberately moving around to watch players at the grassroots level,” he said. “Those who show promise can be recommended to our colleagues in the various age-grade national teams, while others can be developed through the home-based Super Falcons programme.”
He explained that the project is a collaborative effort involving well-meaning individuals, including Joshua Dabo (Joe K) and other stakeholders who share a common vision of advancing women’s football in Plateau State and across the region. Coach Madugu also praised the Plateau State Government, describing the governor as a passionate supporter of women’s football.
“When top government officials show genuine interest in women’s football, it is important to support them with the right guidance,” he noted. “This includes helping to put in place proper structures and sustainable systems that guarantee long-term growth.”
According to him, the initiative is being pursued with clear intent and long-term planning, with expectations that within three to five years, there will be a noticeable shift in both participation and perception of women’s sports in the region.
A key component of the programme is the establishment of a developmental pipeline that starts from the grassroots and progresses through various levels, ensuring that talented players are continuously nurtured rather than abandoned after initial exposure.
“Our focus is to build a structure that develops players from the grassroots to the highest level,” he explained. “This goes beyond the national team to include opportunities to play professionally abroad or anywhere players can advance their careers.”
Beyond clubs, the programme will actively engage schools, recognizing school sports as a vital foundation for player development. Certified coaches will be deployed to schools and grassroots teams to teach football fundamentals using age-appropriate curricula, clearly differentiated from professional-level training.
At strategic periods, particularly during school holidays, players will be assembled at regional or senatorial levels for organized competitions. Outstanding talents will then be selected for further development under state-level coaches, ensuring consistent monitoring rather than relying solely on major tournaments for scouting.
The initiative will primarily target youth categories, including U-13, U-15, U-17, and U-19, with the objective of creating a sustainable talent pipeline capable of strengthening women’s football in Nigeria for years to come.
Coach Madugu concluded by stressing that the programme is about building the future of the game—not just staging events—by laying a solid foundation that allows young female footballers to grow, compete, and succeed at every level.
Story Credit: Gold Markus