Why should women be denied their glory?

There are rumours that Safa are struggling to obtain financial backing to get the planned national women’s league off the ground. When the project was announced it was well-received as it had been something we needed for a long time.

A national league would ensure more players get a chance to showcase their talents and it could boost our national teams as well with more competitive players coming through. It is wonderful how Banyana have managed to become such a good team and achieve what they have when there is no real league for the players to compete in.

This has led to some quitting the game as they try to find jobs to escape poverty. Banyana have over the years lost a few good players who could have helped the side to even greater heights – but they had to choose between a job and football.

Former Banyana captain Amanda Dlamini is one. I remember that recently she lost her Banyana place when she had to honour her contract with SuperSport where she draws a salary as an analyst. The team obviously lost out because she is a great talent and would have made a huge difference. But that is how it is for now.

If the rumours are true, then I am very disappointed. I thought @SbongsKaDonga sponsors would be lining up to help because this is chance to be part of a revolution. It is a chance to be part of the beginning of a beautiful thing.

But inasmuch as I have little faith in Safa, I still hope they do the right thing and get the league up and running next year as they have promised.

We need the women to be pro- fessionals as well, to eke out a living off their talent.

Having spoken to a few women players over the years, I understand how passionate you have to be about the game to make it. There is a young lady I know from back home. I didn’t know she was interested in football until she went to university where she is now part of the Tuks football team.

She had to hide her passion for the game because she would have been judged and probably called names for wanting to play the game. It didn’t help that there were no women teams where she grew up. I am happy for her and I have told her a few times she must keep fighting because she will inspire others in similar circumstances to know that they are as capable as their male counterparts.

Getting to a professional set-up is difficult for the young boys who have dreams of playing football for a living and one can only imagine how it is for a young woman. It is because of this that I was happy when Safa made a commitment to start a professional league for women.

I trust that Sis’Ria Ledwaba will do all in her power to ensure we get the long-awaited league going so young women can have an equal opportunity to fulfil their footballing dreams.