Falcon's Goalkeeper, Ann Chiejine, Turns down Egyptian Citizenship
Egypt, Sports, 1/15/1999

Ann chiejine, Falcon's first-choice goalkeeper, has turned down an offer to become an Egyptian national and act as a role model for women in that country, Nigerian news agency NAN reported.

Chiejine told NAN on Wednesday that Egyptian officials had wanted her to re-orientate the women of that country by influencing their attitude toward sports.

"They know that I am married and a mother of two, so they want me to be a role model for their women," she said.

She said that the Egyptians initiated the move when the national female team visited that country on a playing tour prior to the recent African women championship hosted by Nigeria.

"Because of their religious background, women in Egypt find it difficult to take part in sports, especially soccer. This makes it imperative for their officials to search for a role model to influence their women," she added.

She said that she attracted so much attention from the Egyptian public while the tour lasted, adding that it was as if they did not believe a mother could play football.

Interjecting Chiejine's responses with graphic details, Uche, her estate surveyor husband and manager, said the Egyptian offer was turned down because it negated their patriotic instincts.

"We are looking out for an offer that will be flexible. I want to operate my firm (of estate surveyors) from here and visit my family whenever I feel like," he added.

He said that he is encouraged to support his wife's career by the height she has attained.

"If in a country of 108 million people, somebody is chosen, by merit, as number one in any endeavor, that person deserves all the encouragement he or she can get," he added.

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