Million dollar women’s football league launched

WINDHOEK, 05 OCT  – The Namibia Football Association’s Skorpion Zinc Women’s Super League was launched in the capital on Thursday, with 10 teams from three regions expected to compete in the league.
The Women’s Super League will see teams from Khomas, Omaheke and Erongo competing for the N.dollars 750 000 cash prize sponsored by Skorpion Zinc, while the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) has also availed N.dollars 250 000.
This is the first time a women’s football league in Namibia has received such an amount of money as sponsorship for its administration, as well as for prize monies for the teams.
Speaking during the launch, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service, Emma Kantema-Gaomas said the league presents an opportunity for players to be selected for the senior national team, the Brave Gladiators, and junior national women’s football teams.
“You have advanced what we are advocating in the ministry – to have improved opportunities to participate in professional sport and to increase employment through sport,” she said.
Kantema-Gaomas said women in sport defy the misconception that women are weak or incapable, adding that competing in sport also brings them a step closer to gender equality.
“Women and girls continue to face discrimination in access to sports as athletes and inequalities in professional sports. Today’s gesture by the sponsors goes a long way in changing that picture. By changing the perception of women in sports, we will empower girls,” she said.
Nora Ndopu, Skorpion Zinc’s corporate affairs and sustainability manager, stated that the one-year investment in the Super League is the mine’s way of creating opportunities and empowering women in sport.
“Our values as a mine are trust, excellence, innovation entrepreneurship, integrity, respect and care. I therefore call on all the participating teams to carry those values at heart and apply them during the preparations leading up to the actual tournament to be held this year,” she said.
The Women’s Super League will kick off on 03 November.
The participating teams are Tura Magic Ladies; Girls Football Academy; UNAM Bokkies; Namib Daughters; Right Way; Omaheke Queens; Galz and Goals; V Power Angels; NUST Babes and Khomas NamPol.
(NAMPA)