Chichi Igbo is a Nigerian footballer who plies her trade in Denmark. She is also a proud lesbian and is not ashamed to let the world in on her sexual preferences.
However, none of her Nigerian- based colleagues would dare do same now, following the recent signing of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill into law by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Part of the Act reads: “A person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organizations; directly or indirectly makes public show of same sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment.”
Over the years, an open secret is the prevalence of the issue of gay lifestyle in certain sections of the Nigerian sports circle.
However, getting stakeholders to speak about the issue is akin to squeezing water from a rock. Suddenly people become evasive and though they are unequivocal in their agreement that it exists, no one wants to talk about it.
Almost three years ago, former Super Falcons coach, Eucharia Uche stirred the hornets’ nest when she made a remark regarding her position on lesbianism during the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“Yes, the lesbians in our team were really a big problem,” she said. “But since I am coach of the Super Falcons, that has been cleared up. There are no more lesbians on my team; I cannot tolerate this dirty life.” For her bluntness, she drew the ire of FIFA and at least three international gay groups.
She was also cautioned by the world football governing body, which through its head of Women’s competition, Tatjana Haenni said, “FIFA is against all forms of discrimination”.
Even the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)’s Chief Media Officer, Ademola Olajire, a few years ago was quoted to have said.
“We all know of these vices, because lesbianism has become a thing of common knowledge that the female footballers no more hide it among themselves. However, those who indulge in the nasty act had promised to stop it and the NFF is putting measures in place to ensure that they keep to their promises.”
However, probably because this society is regarded as a religious one, such issues are not made a subject of public discourse, but rather highly ‘classified’ and the juicy gist restricted to insiders and practitioners of the act.
An open secret
Nevertheless, a former National Athletics coach, Amelia Edet agrees that a high number of female athletes engage in lesbianism, going by her years of experience with the Falcons and female track and field athletes.
“I had a problem when I was with the first set of our female footballers because some of them happened to be lesbians; there were some of them who regard sex as something they couldn’t do without and can’t perform without it. At the end of the day, it had a negative effect on the girls because they were losing crucial games, especially international matches.”
Football coach, Joy Etim agreed that the trend is widespread in sports. She however voiced fears at the early age some players now get involved in the act.
“I caught two children in the act and I told them to define it for me, but they couldn’t because they really don’t understand it. They need to be lectured about what lesbianism is and to be told that it is bad. It is rampant”, she said.
“I happened to interview some girls who came from outside Lagos and these girls were from a village and I had to tell them what it means and the repercussions that follow. Some of them are as young as 13 years. If you want to know them, they look and walk like boys, and even call themselves ‘Fine boys’ and you will know who plays the role of the male and the role of the female.”
Though a former footballer, Etim alleges that the act wasn’t so widespread during her time:
“I played football during the mid-eighties to early nineties and it wasn’t common during our time. But now it is too much. When I served as a coach with the national team, I heard there were a lot of them in the team but I was more focused on the technical aspect of the job.
“It is likely that it was going on but because they were big girls, they wouldn’t do it where I will see them. Some of them would even go as far as paying for hotels outside the camp so there was little anyone could do. I had to mind my business because I didn’t know if any of them was related to a big shot that could get me sacked.”
Support for the bill
A lot more is heard about lesbianism than homosexuality in Nigerian sports scene, leaving one to wonder if the female athletes are the only ones that should shudder at the 10-year jail term waiting for offenders.
Edet disagrees: “I won’t say we don’t have homosexuality in sports. I won’t mention names, but I know footballers who were involved. There was one particular man who was doing it with footballers and was even furnishing homes for them, just like what a boyfriend would do for his girlfriend. He was even sending them out of the country. He also made passes at track and field athletes too. Some accepted his offer while others declined.”
Etim however said from her experience, a lot of girls prefer to have relationships with their fellow females in a bid to prevent unwanted pregnancies, which is more liable to occur in heterosexual dalliances and might put an end to their career.
However both Edet and Etim were unanimous in their support for the bill.
“I think the President is doing the right thing because it is something that is so common. It’s an old thing that has always been, even in sports; but it is not something that should be accepted. It is a welcome development and it is left for us as Nigerians to say that we are supporting the decision that he is taking,” Edet said.
Etim agreed. “It should be criminalized. We want people to know that it is not good for sports men and women because if not tackled on time, it will become as widespread as cultism in Nigerian higher institutions”, she said.
From her base in Denmark, Igbo said she has no apologies to make to anyone who is unhappy with her lifestyle choice.
“I’m misunderstood. I am a woman, menstruate like every other woman, I know how different I am. I love me just the way I am with all my imperfections and flaws and I owe nobody any explanation and won’t apologize for who I am. Go on and hate, but one thing for sure is I’m never going to change. I want to come back in my next life this same person. So, go play on the highway if you got a problem.”
