FAME Foundation Women’s Day Football Tournament 2026

FAME Foundation held its 9th Women’s Day Football Tournament on March 6, 2026, in commemoration of International Women’s Day with the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.” The event aimed to advocate for equal rights and equal justice while addressing gender disparities, fostering community cohesion, and promoting healthy lifestyles through sports.

The event was supported by the Nigeria Revenue Services (NRS) and the Bet9ja Foundation, whose contributions helped make the tournament possible.

The tournament featured twelve (12) teams representing different organizations and communities. Participating teams included women from Nigeria Revenue Services (NRS), Bet9ja Foundation, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the National Union of Teachers (NUT), women from Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) communities, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), FAME Foundation, ProSOCIAL, ASWHAN, Unity, and CORE.

Activities leading up to the tournament began with a match fixture ceremony held on March 5, 2026, at the Area 3 Football Pitch in Garki, Abuja. Captains of all participating teams were present at the ceremony where match draws and team pairings were conducted. During the session, teams also received their kits in preparation for the main tournament scheduled for the following day.

The event attracted several notable dignitaries who were warmly received by the Executive Director of FAME Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi. Among those present were the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Shehu Dikko.

Other distinguished guests included Victoria Miniase, Chairperson of FAME Foundation; Juliana Taiwo Obalonye, member of the Board of Trustees of FAME Foundation; Rinsola Abiola, Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Center; Human Rights Activist Omoyele Sowore; Dr. Robinson Okosun; and several other dignitaries.

The ceremony officially commenced with a lineup and handshake session led by the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who greeted members of all participating teams before performing the ceremonial kickoff to officially start the tournament.

The opening match of the competition was played between Team ASWHAN and Team FAME, ending with a 4–0 victory in favor of Team FAME. This was followed by other group stage matches between the participating teams.

Amid the energy-charged atmosphere of the event, the Honourable Minister, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, took time to recognize and celebrate Nigerian women for their strength, ingenuity, and invaluable contributions to national development.

She stated that,“Nigerian women are phenomenal, energetic, smart, and creative. We must continue to support them through policies and programs that encourage their growth.” She also praised FAME Foundation for using sports as a tool to empower women, foster inclusion, and promote social integration.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, emphasized the critical role women have always played in both families and the development of sports in Nigeria.

He noted that “Women have always been the foundation of our families and even in sports. If you look at the history of Nigerian sports, women have always come through for us, especially at the junior level and international competitions.” He further remarked that the celebration was not only about honoring women but also about promoting good governance and advancing causes that benefit society. He commended the leadership of FAME Foundation for championing initiatives that go beyond women’s empowerment to promote good governance, inclusiveness, and support for vulnerable groups.

In her remarks, the Executive Director of FAME Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, expressed her deep appreciation for the growing participation of women in sporting activities traditionally dominated by men. She explained that the tournament continues to bridge gaps within society by creating opportunities for women from different backgrounds to come together, interact, and have fun through sports.

She noted that “what pushes me is the willingness of women to play football, the willingness of women to come together to do sport, and we are not going to stop. This is the ninth edition of this tournament. We started at Moshood Abiola Stadium and have now moved to Area 3 Football Pitch, with thousands of participants taking part every year.”

Other speakers at the ceremony also highlighted the importance of upholding equal rights and justice across all genders in order to build a nation where no one is left behind.

Beyond the football matches, the event also incorporated health, wellness, and awareness activities. EVA Nigeria supported the tournament through the provision and distribution of male condoms alongside age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health educational materials and relevant Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) resources for participants and attendees.

Smile360ng also supported the event by providing free dental checks and offering professional advice on how participants and attendees could better care for their oral hygiene.

The FCT Fire Services were also present at the venue, providing free health screening services including pre-game vital health checks for all participants and offering first aid treatment to players who sustained injuries during the matches.

An exhibition arena was set up at the venue to showcase and support the creativity and entrepreneurial skills of Nigerian women. The exhibition created an opportunity for women entrepreneurs to promote their businesses, market their products, and increase awareness of their work. Products displayed included pastries, crafts made from local fabrics, local delicacies, and other handmade items.

As the tournament progressed, the quarterfinal matches featured eight teams: Team NYSC against Team FAME, Team ProSOCIAL against Team FIDA, Team NRS against Team NCWS, and Team Unity against Team NUT.

FAME Foundation has remained very active in using sports as a platform for advocacy, and combining a football tournament with a gender equality campaign proved to be an effective way of reaching a diverse audience. Throughout the venue, several advocacy messages were displayed, including “Football No Get Gender,” “End Period Poverty,” “Engage More Women in Leadership Roles,” “Implement Gender-Responsive Financing,” “Different Abilities Shared Humanity,” “Online Safety Is a Right – No Woman Deserves Abuse on the Internet,” “FAME Foundation Believes in a Future Where Every Woman Can Achieve Her Dreams,” “Celebrate Women’s Achievements on International Women’s Day,” and “Stand Against Any Form of Violence – A Safe Nigeria Protects All.”

Following intense competition throughout the tournament, four teams secured their places in the semifinals: Team FIDA, Team NRS, Team Unity, and Team FAME. After a penalty shootout, Team FAME emerged as the overall winner of the tournament, while Team FIDA finished as the first runner-up and Team Unity secured the position of second runner-up.

The tournament concluded with the presentation of medals and trophies to the top three teams amid excitement and celebration among participants and spectators.

The ninth edition of the FAME Foundation Women’s Day Football Tournament recorded its highest number of participating teams and attendees to date. The event created an inclusive environment where women from different professions and backgrounds could come together, build camaraderie, and celebrate International Women’s Day through sports.

FAME Foundation expresses its sincere appreciation to all partners, dignitaries, volunteers, and participants who contributed to the success of the tournament. Special appreciation goes to EVA Nigeria for their valuable support through the provision of sexual and reproductive health materials, IEC resources, and male condoms that helped promote awareness among participants.

FAME  Foundation also deeply appreciates Smile360ng for providing free dental checks and oral health guidance, thereby contributing to the wellbeing of attendees. Finally, profound gratitude goes to the Nigeria Revenue Services (NRS) and the Bet9ja Foundation for their generous support and commitment to initiatives that promote women’s empowerment, inclusion, and community development, which made the successful hosting of the 2026 Women’s Day Football Tournament possible.