Henrietta Ehiabor, a passionate advocate for women’s sports, has dedicated her career to breaking barriers and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for female athletes.
From her childhood as a sprinter to her influential roles in sports administration as a former Chief Executive Officer For Delta Queens and now a board member of the Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL), Henrietta has worked tirelessly to elevate women’s football in Delta State and beyond.
In this interview with Rita Oyiboka, she shares her inspiring journey, discusses the challenges faced by women in sports, and sheds light on her ongoing initiatives like the Defiant Ladies Under-17 Tournament, which is aimed at fostering grassroots talent and empowering young girls through sports.
Can we begin by having your name?
Good afternoon. My name is Henrietta Ehiabor. I am from Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State; Owa Alero to be precise.
Let’s start with how you got into sports administration. What inspired you?
First of all, I’ll say that I’ve always been a sportsperson. I was an athlete growing up—a sprinter, to be specific. However, as is often the case in many Nigerian households, my parents emphasised education over sports. My father insisted I leave sports to focus on my studies.
Thankfully, life had its way of leading me back to sports. I worked with Delta Force Football Club as part of the managerial executives and later transitioned to Delta Queens. Growing up, my elder brother also ran a football club, and our home was deeply connected to the sport.
Interestingly, my late mother, Josephine Ohue, was a footballer herself. She used sports to fund her education back when it was called Bendel State. She managed my brother’s football club, and we often used our family restaurant to support the players. Watching my mother and brother’s dedication significantly influenced me.
That’s such a fascinating background. Did you ever play football yourself?
No, I didn’t. I was strictly into athletics, but football always surrounded me.
You’ve certainly taken up key roles in sports administration, from former Chief Executive Officer of Delta Queens to being a board member of the National Women’s Football League. What contributions have you made in these positions?
One major issue I noticed is the lack of awareness about women’s football. Even in Delta State, less than five per cent of people know that the football club, Delta Queens exists. Many even mistake the name for a beauty pageant. That’s a serious challenge because, despite their limited recognition, our female teams bring in numerous laurels for the state and the nation. For instance, Delta Queens has consistently performed well, staying in the premiership for years. When I joined the team as CEO, I was determined to break the 11-year jinx of not winning a league. In the 2022/2023 season, we won the league and represented Nigeria in the qualifiers for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
To tackle the lack of awareness, I initiated the Defiant Ladies Under-17 Tournament. It’s not a one-off event but something we’ll hold annually to nurture grassroots talent. Beyond just football, I’ve made it a point to give back to society by supporting education.
During the last tournament, I awarded scholarships to two young girls, one to a university and another to a secondary school. Even while heading Delta Queens, we encouraged education among players giving scholarships to several of them. We need to stop viewing sports as a waste but as a potential business avenue and a way to give back to society and bring out the talents of our youth, even empower vulnerable kids.
That’s incredible. Beyond awareness, a report last year showed that 65 per cent of sports funding in Nigeria goes to male-dominated sports. Women’s sports often suffer from poor funding, equipment shortages, and inadequate sponsorships. Why do you think this disparity exists?
That’s a pertinent question. The disparity stems from a historical undervaluing of women, not just in sports but across society. For a long time, women were seen as secondary, meant for domestic roles, and not expected to pursue careers, let alone sports. In the context of football, it was unthinkable for women to play. However, thanks to the efforts of pioneers, women’s football is gaining recognition. I firmly believe that in the next five to 10 years, women’s football will be the next big thing in Nigeria.
Do you think this gap between male and female sports can be bridged?
Yes, we’re getting there. For instance, in Edo State, female footballers receive the same insurance coverage and pay as their male counterparts. That’s a step towards equality. Although Delta State still retains that pay disparity, with more advocacy and success stories, the gap will close further.
Speaking of advocacy, you’ve started initiatives like the Defiant Ladies U17 Tournament. What inspired you to launch such a programme?
Inspiration came from what I see daily. When you walk the streets at night, you encounter young girls, some nearly naked, others lost to drugs or abuse. Many of these girls have dreams but lack the means to pursue them. Sports, particularly football, can provide them with a lifeline. It offers hope, discipline, and an avenue to carve a better future.
You mentioned the need to see sports as a business avenue. Is that a motivation for Defiant Ladies, to make it a profitable business?
My aim with Defiant Ladies is not to make it a profitable venture but to create a sustainable pathway for young girls in football and beyond.
Sports is a multi-billion-dollar industry globally, but we’ve yet to fully tap into its potential in Nigeria. Investing in sports yields returns, whether through sponsorships, endorsements, or grassroots development.
Still on grassroots development, rural areas often house untapped talent. Does Defiant Ladies extend its reach to those regions?
Absolutely. Though this was just the first edition, we’re already looking to expand. For instance, I’ve scouted players from riverine areas like Burutu, Bomadi, Kwale, and Ika for my Delta Babes Football Club, which consists mostly of Delta State indigenes.
What qualities do you look for when scouting talents?
The first thing I look for is how a player handles the ball. A good player’s skill and potential are evident from their first touch. Beyond technical ability, I also assess their discipline, willingness, and potential to grow even to a professional level.
How old is Delta Babes FC and what have been their achievements?
Six to seven years. We have players as young as 17 but with official parental consent. They are housed, fed, and paid an allowance. When it comes to achievements, they competed in the second-tier league last season and reached the quarter-finals. It’s a process—everything takes time and effort.Let’s shift gears a bit. At the national level, there has been some controversy regarding women’s football. For example, there was an incident involving a former National Women’s Football Chairperson, Dilichukwu Onyedinma instructing the disqualification of females associated with lesbianism. Is that still prevalent in women’s sports, and are players still disqualified on that basis?
Yes, it still happens. First of all, we know that lesbianism is considered unacceptable in our society and even in our laws. But honestly, in team sports, it’s inevitable to some extent, not just among women, but also men, although less so among male athletes.
It often boils down to the foundational background and upbringing of these individuals. They may also be influenced when they join the team. It’s not something we cannot entirely eliminate, but we can curtail it to a great extent because it affects their performance. It affects them emotionally, physically, and health-wise, and that impacts their abilities as athletes.
How exactly does it affect their performance?
It affects them because they often don’t rest properly, they’re emotionally distracted and physically drained. Beyond that, they become prone to various infections. As a sports administrator, sports science professional, and sports medicine specialist currently pursuing a doctoral in sports medicine, I’ve seen how these distractions negatively impact athletes’ overall health and functionality.
With your extensive experience as a sports administrator, what legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I want to create a lasting legacy that focuses on developing grassroots sports. I want young female athletes, especially footballers, to understand that sports can carve a niche for them and open doors to education and opportunities in life.
The maiden edition of Defiant Ladies just rounded up. Can you give us a glimpse of what to expect in future editions?
Definitely! For the second edition, we’re planning to introduce screening processes to ensure accurate age verification for players. We’re also looking at increasing the number of participating teams and making the event bigger and better.
I would also love to work more closely with the government, both at the state and national levels. If we take this initiative nationwide, we can transform the lives of many young people, providing them with a sense of purpose and a sustainable way of life.
As a NWFL board member, what’s your ultimate vision for women’s football?
My vision is for women’s football to gain equal recognition, funding, and opportunities as men’s. I want to see a future where young girls see sports as a viable career path and a way to uplift themselves and their communities.
Looking at Delta specifically, what changes would you like to see in female football?
Yes, I envision proper structure, welfare, stability, and adequate facilities. Creating a safe space for female football is essential.
When you say “safe space,” what exactly do you mean?
Oh, don’t think it’s about insecurity, no. What I mean by “safe space” is a conducive and supportive environment. For instance, we need additional pitches. Another training pitch in Asaba or anywhere in the state is not too much to ask for. A pitch that accommodates the players’ needs, including their training and wellbeing, is crucial.
Do you have people in the sporting world—men or women—that you look up to?
Oh yes, I do! There are quite a lot of them. But if I start mentioning names now, it might stir some trouble. [Laughs] I don’t want anyone to feel left out. But yes, I have mentors, people I admire and draw inspiration from. However, I would like to thank the Deputy Governor’s wife, Lady Catherine Onyeme for the role she played in the Defiant Ladies Tournament. She saw the light in this budding endeavour, understood the vision, and encouraged us both in words and action.
What advice would you give to women who want to pursue a career in sports but are unsure how to begin or feel hesitant?
Just start. No procrastination—just take that first step. Be focused, be straightforward, be truthful, and cultivate the right mindset. It won’t be easy. It wasn’t easy for me either. I had a very rough road in sports administration and sports in general, even here in the state. But you must keep pushing.
