Boost for girls’ soccer in Enoch Mgijima region
Six teams at tournament to celebrate women through sport
Local girls’ soccer received a boost when the Chris Hani region of the South African Football Association (Safa) staged a special tournament to celebrate Women’s Month at the Dumpy Adams Sports Complex on Sunday.
Girls from six soccer teams in the Enoch Mgijima Local Football Association
– Manchester FC, Kaizer Utd, Ilinge FC, Dihodi Ladies, Sister’s Chant and Shining Stars – took part in the tournament.
The girls sported brand new kit donated by the regional office. The balls they kicked were also in mint condition, having been donated by men’s soccer teams from the region.
Safa regional officials were also in attendance, along with a number of enthusiastic spectators.
Regional administrator Nosipho Benyane said she had asked men’s teams in the SAB league to donate balls and Seven Stars (in the ABC Motsepe league) donated two, Komani Stars gave one while another local team provided two. This was after the girls’ teams complained about a lack of soccer balls.
In addition to sourcing the balls, local Safa president Sandile Mata offered the six kit sets the association had set aside to support women’s football.
Benyane thanked the local men’s teams for supporting women’s football.
The teams competed in a knockout format and Benyane said there were no prizes on offer as the event was meant to celebrate Women’s Month.
“We decided to come and develop women’s soccer and show ourselves as women supporters through all the challenges we face.”
The “hectic” day also featured a few netballers who asked to be part of the event. “We are celebrating women, we are saying, forward with women,” Benyane enthused. She shared an inspiring message for Women’s Month.
“To all girls involved in sport, don’t underestimate yourself, have selfconfidence. Play your sport at your level best, with all your ability because you never know where sport might lead you.”
Benyane said the players should guard against allowing challenges at home, in their teams and in society to limit their ambitions. “Make sure you play sport and communicate with your coach if there are stumbling blocks. Furthermore, there is no child more important than another in sport. Whether you are a boy or a girl, you are all the same.”
As sport opens doors for many people, she also urged parents to allow their children to play and support them. “I wish parents would fill the stadiums to watch their children and to show them support.”