31 May 2016

Football is traditionally associated with masculinity and in other societies, it is considered inappropriate for women to engage in football.

Speaking at the women football annual general assembly at Lekidi Football Centre, on May 29 Botswana Football Association, vice president-technical, Stephen Phetlhe said it had emerged that both the masculine and feminine elements were deciding factors on who should play football.

“There are men who cannot even kick the ball while on the other hand there are women who execute football skills with great technique and precision,” he said.

He said women football was not supposed to be a carbon copy of men’s football as women have  the right to play as much as men. Phetlhe said there was no need to emulate what men were doing nor model their game.

“As girls compete, please allow them to remain girls and enjoy their feminine part. We do not want to promote other sexual segregation which may render woman football a no go for girls, let us not confuse these kids as they want to grow and develop appropriately,” he said.

On other issues, Phetlhe said World Football governing body strongly support women football because football could give women and girls access to public spaces where they could together and acquire new skills.
He said FIFA also believed that through playing football women could gain support from each other and enjoy the freedom of expression and movement.

Football, he said, could also promote education, communication, negotiation skills and leadership all of which are essential for women’s empowerment.
Phetlhe further said football could develop girls and women sense of ownership over their bodies and increase self-esteem. It could enable them to make choices about their lives including sexual activities, he added.

“Football is a powerful means of enabling women to fulfil their potential both in sports and in society, with the help of FIFA, football will be a leader in carrying this message to the world,” he said.

Further, Phetlhe said FIFA had taken upon it to promote women football by giving out lucrative financial assistance of P245 Million to be used by member associations in programs such as live your goals, scholarship for B-license female coaches, female leadership development, women football administration courses, competition and league development.

About BFA structures, Phetlhe said according to the new constitution, women football would be full member of BFA.
The constitution, he said, gives them powers to voice out their problems and vote during the BFA AGM, adding that women football would be coordinated by women football committee appointed by women football annual general assembly.

He said the committee shall be responsible for all matters pertaining to women football and shall administer and run the women football league.

“On the other hand the supreme body, which is the assembly, shall make decisions concerning the management and control of football within women football league including the organisation of football matches for teams playing in women football league,” he said. Ends