Sports

Boom For Women Footballers As FIFA Triples W’Cup Money

Published

2 years ago

May 4, 2023

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed $152m as the prize money for this year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Infantino made the confirmation while speaking alongside the World Trade Organisation Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala during Making Trade Score for Women!, a series of panel discussions held at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The biggest women’s football competition is slated to start on July 20 and will be hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand with FIFA also set to increase the pool of prize money significantly from what it was four years back in 2019.

“As a father of four beautiful daughters, I know very well how much attention we need to give women in our lives,” Infantino said at FIFA Congress.

“Our ambition will be, of course, to be able to have equality in payments for the ’26 Men’s and ’27 Women’s World Cups. FIFA is stepping up with actions, not just with words… but unfortunately this is not the case of everyone across the industry. Broadcasters and sponsors, dear friends, have to do more in this respect.”

Although the $152m fund for the first 32-team tournament is a huge boost from the $30m for the 24-team edition in 2019, and 10 times what it was in 2015, it is still considerably lower than the $440m total prize money awarded at the 32-team men’s World Cup in Qatar last year.

At the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the tournament champions received $4m while every participating country received $750,000.

The FIFA boss, in a statement on the football governing body website, said FIFA had already set an example by increasing the total funding package at the Women’s World Cup 2023 to $152m, treble the amount paid in 2019 and 10 times more than in 2015, prior to his election as FIFA president.

However, he added that FIFA still had to sell media rights for the tournament to some major markets because the offers were undervalued.

The FIFA President’s call was supported by Okonjo-Iweala.

“I hope the broadcasters are listening to what the FIFA president is saying about bidding higher for the Women’s World Cup as this is a real opportunity to support women’s football, and I hope they’ll take you up on your offer,” Dr Okonjo-Iweala stated.

Sports

Enabulele Celebrates Edo Deputy Governor on Birthday

Published

2 days ago

August 12, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has congratulated the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Monday through his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele described Idahosa as a true democrat, a results-driven leader, and a high-flyer.

“You have continued to distinguish yourself in all your endeavours. Even as a young legislator, your impactful representation and laudable stewardship exemplify the true definition of a performer, earning you the admiration of many,” he said.

Enabulele further noted that Idahosa’s life is a testament to the importance of loyalty and respect, particularly in his current role as a supportive Deputy Governor. “You have stood firmly behind your boss, and that epitomizes true leadership,” he stated.

“As you celebrate another milestone, I join family, friends, and well-wishers across the globe in acknowledging your humility, commitment, and determination to ensure Edo State continues to rise under Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda,” Enabulele added.

He commended the Deputy Governor’s unwavering dedication to nation-building, his vision for a better Edo, and his commitment to advancing and safeguarding the interests of all Edo people, regardless of status or circumstance, describing these qualities as “worthy of emulation.”

“We pray that Almighty God continues to grant you wisdom, good health, sound mind, happiness, and joy as you celebrate another year,” the statement concluded.

Sports

Edo SWAN Felicitates Deputy Governor On Birth Anniversary

Published

2 days ago

August 12, 2025

Editor

‎The Leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Edo State chapter, has felicitated with deputy governor of the state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on his birth anniversary.

A felicitation message jointly signed by Comrade Kehind Osagiede and Comrade Idahosa Moses, Edo SWAN Chairman and Secretary, on behalf of all sports writers in the state said, ‎”all of us at SWAN in Edo state are delighted over this milestone and wish that many more celebrations come your way now and always.”

The duo, in the message, while describing the deputy governor as a man of “honour, candour and commitment to public good as you have aptly demonstrated in the task of sports and youths development in Edo state,” acknowledged his support and encouragement to the body since he assumed office.

The message reads: “Your dedication to serving the people of Edo State and your insightful contributions to good governance is highly commendable
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“‎Today, we celebrate a visionary leader who is propelling the sports sector to unprecedented heights.
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“‎As you celebrate this special day, we wish Your Excellency good health and fulfillment in all your aspirations.”