The Falconets are finally back in Nigeria after their impressive performance at the just concluded FIFA U-20 female championship in Germany. The Nigerian team came second behind the host team which emerged eventual winners.

The team was received back in the country on Tuesday 3rd August 2010 by Nigeria’s first lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan. The team was hosted to a warm reception and dinner during which the first lady announced the award of scholarships to all members of the team up to the university level.

Some people felt the government would have done better by giving them monetary rewards or by buying shares for them in companies like the Lagos state government did for the U-17 team which conquered the world in South Korea in 2007.

In as much as I do not disagree with the people’s opinion, I wish to say that the government has done remarkably well by awarding scholarships to the ladies; but what is still needed is that the government should add some monies to this to make the girls fully empowered. We should remember that while in school, they need to feed themselves and take care of miscellaneous expenses. We should also not forget that it is very expensive, to take care of girls than boys because of their numerous needs.

However, giving these girls a scholarship would ensure they have something to fall back on, should their football career dwindle or should they have any permanent disability while playing football. Education would make them come out of the shackles of ignorance and become much more relevant in the country’s scheme of things.

When they are educated, they would be able to manage wealth and they would be employable. They could become administrators, governors, lecturers, ministers, presidents, etc. George Opong Weah has gone back to school because of the political challenge he got from Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf during his bid to become the president of Liberia. Despite his popularity as former African, European and world footballer of the year, he lost the election to a woman because of his poor educational background.

So awarding scholarships to the Falconets is a step in the right direction. Football should not be synonymous with illiteracy anymore; it should be a place for professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Nurses, Accountants, Surveyors, etc. Education would earn them more respect and value, and also create a future for them.

Nevertheless, a little more incentives should be added to it to make their classroom experiences more enjoyable. They should be able to study under a comfortable environment and feel relaxed to enjoy the dividends of the scholarship.

Efoghor Joseph Ezie writes from http://efoghorsportsarena..com. Visit his blog for more spots news