The executive director of the United States-based Goals for Girls Initiative, Damilola Ogunbote, has revealed that it is a youth development project that uses football to promote unity among female youngsters.
Ogunbote disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Sports247 at Union Bank’s The Stable Sports Complex in Surulere, Lagos, where she is running a two-day leadership programme for 300 junior secondary school students.
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She pointed out that having 150 students from five schools each day interacting at the popular complex along Bode Thomas Road will help Goals for Girls create a significant impact in Nigeria, as it has in many other countries.
Ogunbote added, “It’s a US-based organisation that uses football to unite girls and teach them leadership skills. Our mission and vision are to create a world where every girl feels that she can contribute to the development of her community.
“We use football as a tool to teach life skills, confidence and progress among young girls. Our message is, ‘No matter who you are, no matter where you are, you are highly valued, and you can contribute to society at large.’ That’s our view.”
She went on to reveal that Goals For Girls has made its effective presence felt in several countries across more than 15 years of its existence and expressed optimism that the project’s maiden leadership summit in Surulere will create a lasting impact in Nigeria.
Ogunbote expatiated, “This organisation has been in existence for over 15 years, and we operate out of the US, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and India.
“I’m really pleased as a Nigerian to bring the programme to my home country, especially to Lagos. We have 300 girls to work with over two days in Surulere, with a focus on junior students in local schools.
“This event is the combination of all our efforts over the months to bring these girls together and celebrate what they’ve been doing as growing students.”
She concluded with words of gratitude to everyone who worked together to make the two-day programme become a reality and for authoritative support given by Lagos State education officials.
Ogunbote posited, “We are happy to give these girls opportunities to mix with other female adolescents of their age, who they ordinarily may not have access to. We are pleased to bring these girls together through football.
“We are also pleased to have their teachers, the CATS’ team players, their coaches and officials of the education district. They have all worked exceptionally hard to get this programme.
“I am grateful for what they have all been doing and for how we have been able to get this programme going in collaboration with the Lagos State Department of Education. We are really grateful for their support and approval.”
