Judith Chime Urges Young Female Footballers To Balance Education And Football
3 min read
By Sedara Philip
Former Super Falcons goalkeeper, Judith Chime, has delivered a powerful message to young female footballers on the importance of balancing education with football, as the 2025 edition of her Goalkeeping Clinic came to a memorable close in Enugu.
Chime, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Judith Chime Foundation, a non-governmental organisation committed to securing a brighter future for the girl child through education and sports, addressed young goalkeepers participating in the 2025 Judith Chime Championship.
The clinic was specially organised to equip aspiring goalkeepers with technical knowledge, mental strength and life lessons beyond the pitch.
Speaking passionately to the girls, Judith Chime shared her personal journey to stardom, describing it as a difficult and often painful path marked by sacrifice, resilience and unwavering belief in her dreams.
She recalled how her love for football once placed her on a collision course with her family, who insisted she prioritise education over sports.
In an emotional narration, Chime revealed how she once slept under a bridge at Trans Ekulu, Enugu, after leaving home in pursuit of her football dream, driven by stubborn determination and refusal to abandon the game she loved.
“Everything changed when I was invited to the Super Falcons,” she said.
Recalling her historic call-up in 1991, Chime narrated how her invitation to represent Nigeria at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States of America transformed her family’s perception of her football career.
“When my parents and siblings came to our hotel in camp, NFF officials asked who they were. When I told them they were my family, instructions were immediately given that they should take anything they wanted and that the Football Association would settle the bills,” she explained.
“They prayed for me and thanked God that they did not succeed in pressuring me away from my destiny.”
However, Chime stressed that football alone was not enough. She revealed that her journey to the United States was anchored on education, the same education that initially caused friction between her and her family.
“Football is beautiful, but it is short-lived 10 years, 15 years at most,” she warned. “Education is for life. You must ask yourself, after football, what next?”
She further disclosed that she once had an opportunity to sign for Fulham FC in England, but instead chose to pursue higher education in the United States after receiving a call from Nkiru Okosieme.
“I remember saying, ‘education again?’ But today, education is the reason I am standing here talking to you. It opened doors football alone could not,” she said.
While encouraging the girls to chase their football dreams passionately, Chime assured them of her foundation’s commitment to supporting their educational pursuits.
“My foundation will assist you. Take it from me take your education seriously,” she concluded.
Explaining why the clinic focused exclusively on goalkeepers, Chime clarified that the decision was personal and purposeful.
“I do not hate other departments of the game,” she said with a smile. “I was a goalkeeper myself, so I’m simply encouraging those in my department.”
The clinic ended on a high note, with Judith Chime presenting match balls and goalkeeping gloves to the participants, marking a fitting conclusion to an impactful and inspirational event.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
