Police promotes Super Falcons

Spokesman of the Force Chris Alakpe, told nigeriasports.com that the “Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun promoted two members of the national female football team, who recently made the nation proud by winning for the fourth time, the coveted African Women Championship trophy in Johannesburg.” Kikelomo Ajayi, skipper of the Falcons and Oluropo Ojo, were until their promotion constables in the Force, but Friday, the Balogun in a colourful ceremony held at the Abuja headquarters witnessed by top government functionaries decorated both ladies with their new ranks of Corporal.

The police IG also gave special commendation award (Inspector-General of Police’ Special Commendation for Outstanding Contribution to the overall success of the team) to the team’s assistant coach Elizabeth Okiwoyi, who is a sergeant in the Force.

Balogun commendation the overall success of the Super Falcons at the 4TH African Women Championships in South Africa and, “congratulated them for the various achievements and urged them to redouble their efforts towards winning more trophies especially the FIFA Women World Cup.”

The team who defeated Cameroon to win their 4th title caused an uproar in Nigeria when they refused to leave their Johannesburg hotel following officials inability to pay them outstanding 6,000 USD allowances.

Last week, President Olusegun Obasanjo, hosted them at a State House dinner where he honoured them ‘scholarship’ awards to university and also, gave each member of the team one million Naira (about 7,000 USD).

By Jo Benson