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Popular Nollywood actress, Foluke Daramola, talks about her sporting life, her likeness for Cristiano Ronaldo, disparity between Nigeria’s women’s team and their male counterparts and many more in this interview monitored by JOHNNY EDWARD
WHAT’S your impression of female footballers in Nigeria?
They are trying to give their best but the system in Nigerian has not really been encouraging.
Are you pleased with the disparity in how male and female footballers are managed in Nigeria?
I’m not pleased with it all. There is more prominence giving to the Super Eagles than the Super Falcons and this ought not to be. Maybe this is so because the men started the game of football and that’s why it favours them more than women, But personally I feel that women’s football needs more attention.
Do you think the Falcons should be paid the same way as the Eagles?
Yes, I believe so. They should be paid the same way the male team because of the nature of their job which is non-pensionable. Women’s football is rigorous, I feel they should be paid if not equal as the Eagles but close to what the male team earns. The disparity is really wide so their zeal to do more does not water down. They should be well paid.
Will you allow your daughter to go into football.
If she is keen on going into football, I will allow her to follow her passion. It is her prerogative. My kids are not based in Nigeria and over there in the US where they are based, they engage them to do sports.
So whatever sports any of my children decide to take to, I will definitely encourage them to follow their dreams.
While growing up, did you engage in sports?
Yes I did, I played table tennis with my late brother. But now I follow lawn tennis because of Serena Williams. I love what she has done in the sports and I hope she wins more titles before she finally quits.
Why did you stop table tennis?
I just grew out of it, It happened the moment I lost my brother and there was no one to help me keep up with my passion for the game.
Do you still engage actively in sports?
Right now, not really, apart from the regular walk for fun and exercises which I have not been consistent with. I still try to play table tennis, but it is not like the way it was.
Who is your favourite footballer between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
Cristiano Ronaldo. He is an entertainer and more of a celebrity family man. The way he handles his home, his wife, his fashion sense and more makes me prefer him to Messi.
Do you support any football club?
My son is an Arsenal fan, so I have to automatically support the club he follows. From what I heard from him, this season is getting better for the Gunners compared to how they started.
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