Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) first Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi on tuesday laid the foundation stone for Naija Ratels 3-star rated Hostel, located in Kurudu, Abuja Municipal Area Council.
The new 12 bedroom building will be built like a hotel and will have an indoor gym, a lounge, where the players can relax during their leisure time, a mini hall,dining areas library and the coaches chalet.
Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi who performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the building said he was impressed with what the management of Naija Ratels have been able to achieve within a short time and urge other football clubs in the country to emulate the achievements of the team.
“It is a great privilege to be here for the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of the new Naija Ratels Football Club Hostel.
“This is a fulfilment, not just for Naija Ratels, but that of mine and Nigerian football as a whole. Imagine that we have twenty clubs like Naija Ratels across the country, women football would have been well developed.
He continued : “Football is all about hope and that is what a club like Naija Ratels does to many young girls and footballers in the country. There is no doubt that some of these girls will play for the Super Falcons and go places, because I can see the desire and determination inside of them.
“I congratulate the team for gaining promotion and am sure they will do well at the Apex league.
Also speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony of the edifice, an elated President of Naija Ratels Football Club, Barrister Paul Edeh who couldn’t hide his joy, said the building is expected to be completed within a year, as work will begin immediately.
“I ventured into women’s football primarily to make a difference and help elevate the life of the girl-child and today we have grown as a family and gained promotion to the Premiership.
“For us, it’s a great journey and one that we have been able to learn alot. This is just the beginning, as we have achieved alot as a club within our two years of existence.
“We specifically picked this strategic location for the new hostel, because it is very close to the team’s training pitch, this will make training even more easier for the players and the coaches.
“The new edifice will be in form of a 3-star rated Hotel and will consist of 12 rooms ensuite, indoor gym, a mini hall, library, lounge etc and we have also acquired 4 hectare of land here in Abuja to build our own stadium.
Naija Ratels was founded by Barrister Paul Edeh in 2019 and have deservedly gained promotion from the Championship to the Premiership.