By Bridget Anebi Kaduna// For decades, beach soccer in Nigeria has been associated only with the male population. All that is however soon to change, if plans by stakeholders become reality. This is because the game is fast gaining popularity in Lagos, Kebbi, Kogi and Kaduna courtesy of an initive of a new movement led by some sports administrators who have developed more than a passing interest in the game. The group, comprised mostly of trainees and female soccer enthusiasts, is pushing for the establishment of the first-ever Women's Beach Soccer League in Nigeria. Speaking in Kaduna at the end of the just concluded super 4 tournament which ended in Kaduna Sunday, September 20, President, African Beach Soccer Union, Mohammed Yusuf Hadejia praised the game, noting that some regard it as more than just a sport, describing it as innovative, inclusive, and ensuring equality on sand. Hadejia recalled that Nigeria has had a formidable men's beach soccer national team - the Super Sand Eagles which is the current African and world champions as well as World Cup regulars but regretted that there has been no structured women's version. Hadejia, leader of the technical crew driving the initiative, asserted that time has come to change that narrative. He pointed out that the world has moved, insisting that FIFA and Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) are now pushing for the first Women's Beach Soccer World Cup and added that Nigeria needs to start now or be left behind. According to Hadejia, "Globally, women's beach soccer is growing fast. Countries like England, Spain, Brazil, USA and Portugal already have women's national beach soccer leagues. In Africa, Morocco and Tanzania have started women's beach football tournaments," he said, adding, "Nigeria, as Africa's giant in women's football, cannot afford to be left behind". The iniative, Hadejia said, is being championed by some major of leaders of the NBSA in partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF's) Women Football Department as well as former NWFL stars, to give the project official backing. The initiative, The Mandate news was informed, is strongly supported by a technical team which is comprised of Beach soccer coaches, fitness trainers, and referees who have a special training curriculum for women which focuses on sand mobility, aerial play, and injury prevention. The initiative is also comprised of The Innovation Team which comprises of youth organizers and media experts whose job is to make women's beach soccer attractive to sponsors, schools, and other interest groups. Hadejia explained that the programme comprises: 1. Awareness Campaigs: Establishing sensitization camps in Lagos, Kebbi, Abuja and Kaduna to introduce young girls to the rules of the game as most footballers have never played on sand. 2. Introduction of Demonstration Games which entail the organization of more tournaments during the Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL) Super Finals featuring NWFL players playing 3 vs 3 on sand. 3. The First Women's Cup: Launching of the maiden edition of Nigeria's Women's Beach Soccer Cup in the 2026/2027 season with 8 teams from the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria participating.

Posted: 4weeks ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 18 October 2026