FAME Foundation, on Friday, hosted its 7th edition football tournament to mark the International Women’s Day celebration.  

The event, themed “Generation Equality International Football Tournament 2025,” was held at the Area 3 football pitch in Abuja.  

The tournament focused on celebrating women’s empowerment, teamwork, and inclusivity through sports by bringing together women from diverse backgrounds.  

The occasion was opened by the minister of youth development, Ayodele Olawande, and Shehu Dikko, chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), with several dignitaries from various organisations in attendance.  

During the event, FAME executive director, Arabimi Atoyebi, expressed her enthusiasm for celebrating International Women’s Day, stating that while today is a special day for women, every day is Women’s Day to her.  

Ms Atoyebi highlighted this year’s theme, “Equality Empowerment,” and conveyed her excitement for women’s empowerment and progress. She revealed that her biggest motivation is women, which is why she remains committed to advocating for women’s rights.  

Adding that women around the world face injustices daily, including physical and emotional abuse, denial of basic rights, and exclusion from leadership roles and decision-making processes, she emphasised the need for continued conversations until meaningful change is achieved.  

“Every day a woman is beaten, every day a woman is cheated, every day a woman is denied her right, and globally, she is denied access to leadership, decision-making, and is abused, so we have to keep talking about it.”

“Seeking support for women, seeking women’s empowerment, seeking gender equity and equality cannot be overemphasised. It is our right, and it’s something we should talk about because, over the years, women have not been supported—they have been cheated, and it’s about time we seek our right.”

Ms Atoyebi noted that the tournament aims to bring together women from diverse backgrounds, including those from grassroots communities, as well as educated and non-educated women, to ensure that no woman is left behind.  

She shared that while the organisation faces challenges such as convincing women to participate in football, securing funding, and gaining public support, the foundation has continued to grow.