**Former Nigerian sportswomen launch mentor push**

##The plan and who it is for.
The Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria has unveiled a strategic initiative to deploy retired sportswomen within educational institutions and local communities, with the dual mandate of mentoring young girls and scouting the emerging cohort of Nigerian sporting excellence.

Unveiled prior to the association's inaugural Annual General Meeting in Lagos, this initiative seeks to leverage the experiences of retired athletes to motivate girls toward athletic participation, while simultaneously demonstrating that a sporting career can be pursued concurrently with formal education and other professional endeavors.

The association intends to embark on a school outreach initiative, exposing students to a diverse array of sporting disciplines while identifying promising talents for cultivation through mentorship and comprehensive support programs.
The objective extends beyond mere athlete recruitment; it aims to furnish young female students with mentorship from women who have personally navigated the unique opportunities and formidable challenges inherent in competitive sports.

##Why women’s grassroots sport needs this help.
At the grassroots level, where emerging athletic talent initially intersects with organized sport, this intervention holds particular significance.
Former competitors can impart invaluable, hands-on guidance regarding training regimens, discipline, academic balance, and the multifaceted demands of a professional sporting career.Furthermore, their visibility serves as a powerful testament for young female athletes and their families, illustrating a pathway wherein women who have represented Nigeria at the highest competitive tiers seamlessly transition to meaningful societal contributions following their retirement.

Established in 2018, AFFAN was founded to tackle the systemic challenges confronting female athletes upon the conclusion of their competitive careers, particularly the erosion of visibility and the scarcity of avenues for continued participation in sports development.
Today, the association boasts a membership exceeding 300 individuals throughout Nigeria and secured formal accreditation from the National Sports Commission in 2025.

Concurrent with this mentorship initiative, the association aims to leverage the expertise and insights garnered by retired athletes.
Members are anticipated to contribute their acumen across diverse domains, encompassing coaching, sports administration, governance, skills development, and youth programmes.

##The key dates around the AGM in Lagos
The week leading up to the Annual General Assembly commenced on Friday, November 13, with an aerobics session held at the National Institute for Sports' outdoor court, succeeded by a basketball match.
Concurrently, table tennis and arm-wrestling tournaments were slated to take place at the National Stadium.

Scheduled to culminate on Saturday, November 14, the programme will host AFFAN's inaugural Annual General Meeting at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Sports Bar in Lagos.
This gathering is poised to prioritize the consolidation of the association's administrative framework, conduct a comprehensive review of its operational progress, and delineate its strategic trajectory for the future.

For young girls aspiring to athletic excellence, this initiative offers more than mere competition; it furnishes access to seasoned female mentors capable of guiding them in cultivating their talents and constructing a sustainable future upon that foundation.