Flamingos’ Historic Triumph: Royaltoms Boss Demands Presidential Rewards, Grassroots Football Revolution
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Royaltoms International Football Academy, Olajide Royal, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate further support and generosity towards Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s National Team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Royal congratulated the players, coaching crew, technical officials and everyone who contributed to Nigeria’s remarkable achievement, describing the triumph as a defining moment for Nigerian football and a source of immense pride for the country and the African continent.
The Flamingos made history on Saturday, November 7, 2026, defeating Japan 2–1 in the final, courtesy of goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku. Their victory made Nigeria the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the first African women’s national team to win a FIFA World Cup title at any level.
While acknowledging President Tinubu’s congratulatory message and recognition of the team’s achievement, Olajide Royal appealed to the President to go beyond commendations by approving substantial financial rewards, scholarships, educational support, career development opportunities and other life-changing benefits for the young champions.
According to him, these young girls have not only won a football competition but have also written their names in the history books, brought international recognition to Nigeria and demonstrated that Nigerian girls can compete and conquer at the highest level when given the necessary opportunities and support.
“Mr President, these girls deserve more than applause and congratulatory messages. They have made Nigeria proud, raised our national flag to the highest level and given millions of young girls across the country a reason to believe in their dreams. I humbly appeal to Your Excellency to show them mercy, generosity and appreciation through meaningful rewards and a lasting support system that will secure their future,” Royal stated.
CALL FOR A NATIONAL GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Beyond the immediate reward for the Flamingos, the Royaltoms International Football Academy boss called on the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation and relevant stakeholders, to establish a sustainable national grassroots football development programme, with particular attention to women’s football.
He stressed that the success of the Flamingos should not be treated as an isolated achievement but as an opportunity to build a stronger foundation for the future of Nigerian football.
Royal noted that thousands of talented young girls across Nigeria are playing football in communities, schools, local academies and grassroots competitions without adequate facilities, coaching support, equipment, funding, exposure or access to organised talent identification programmes.
He therefore proposed the following measures:
1. National Grassroots Football Development Fund:* Establish a dedicated funding structure to support credible grassroots football academies and community-based football development programmes across the six geopolitical zones.
2. Annual National Grassroots Women’s Football Competition:* Organise properly structured competitions for U-13, U-15 and U-17 girls to discover and nurture young talents from different communities.
3. Support for Football Academies:* Provide grants, training equipment, footballs, jerseys, goalposts and other essential facilities to registered and verifiable grassroots academies.
4. Coaches’ Development and Certification:* Invest in regular training, certification and capacity-building programmes for grassroots coaches, particularly those working with young female footballers.
5. School Football Development:* Strengthen school sports programmes and establish partnerships between schools, football academies and professional clubs to identify promising young players early.
6. National Talent Identification Programme:* Introduce regular scouting exercises across rural and urban communities to ensure that talented players are not excluded from national opportunities because of their financial backgrounds or geographical locations.
7. Educational and Welfare Support:* Provide scholarships, medical insurance, safeguarding structures and other welfare packages for promising young footballers to ensure that their education and personal development are not sacrificed for sporting ambitions.
GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL IS THE FOUNDATION OF NATIONAL SUCCESS
Olajide Royal further emphasised that the development of national teams must begin from the grassroots, arguing that Nigeria cannot consistently produce world champions without deliberately investing in the people and structures responsible for discovering and nurturing talents.
He maintained that grassroots football administrators, academy owners, community coaches and volunteers deserve recognition and institutional support because they are often the first people to identify, train and encourage young talents before they eventually reach national teams.
According to him, the Flamingos’ success should inspire the government to create an environment where more girls can dream of becoming national team players without having to struggle through unnecessary limitations.
He also called on state governments, corporate organisations, philanthropists and football stakeholders to partner with grassroots academies in building a sustainable football development ecosystem.
A CALL TO PRESIDENT TINUBU: LET THIS VICTORY CHANGE THE FUTURE
Royal concluded by urging President Tinubu to make the Flamingos’ historic victory a turning point in the development of women’s football in Nigeria.
He said the government should ensure that the players receive deserved financial compensation and long-term support, while simultaneously putting structures in place to discover and develop the next generation of Nigerian football stars.
“Mr President, history has been made. Let us not allow this moment to pass without building something lasting from it. Reward these champions generously, protect their future and remember the thousands of young girls playing football in our communities who are waiting for an opportunity to be discovered. The next world champions may be playing on an ordinary community field today. All they need is opportunity, encouragement and the right investment.”
“If we invest in our grassroots today, Nigeria will have more reasons to celebrate tomorrow. The Flamingos have shown us what is possible. It is now our responsibility to create the opportunities for many more Nigerian girls to follow their footsteps.”
*Olajide Royal*
President/Chief Executive Officer
*Royaltoms International Football Academy*
*Arise and Shine!*
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
