09 Apr 2017

The American Embassy has on April 6 donated soccer boots to Old Naledi Girls Soccer Club at an event attended by councillors and local soccer governing body.

 

Handing over the donation, US ambassador Earl Miller said girls aged between 12 and 16 participated in the Gaborone soccer clinic at the training field behind the National Stadium. 

 

He noted that he was awe of their spirit and their will power to continue playing barefoot of the hot astroturf.

 

The training, which was also conducted in Maun, was part of Girl Power Sports Diplomacy programme with the US last November.

 

Miller however noted that during his remarks he pledged that the US Embassy would donate new soccer shoes to the girls who inspired him that afternoon with their smiles and determination.

 

Ambassador Miller however noted that though the donation took time to arrive, he was happy that the embassy’s promise was finally fulfilled and came on the right day when the world was celebrating United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

 

He said research showed that when girls participated in sports, they were more likely to attend school and participate in society. 

 

He said when women and girls could walk on the playing field, they were more likely to step into the classroom, the boardroom, and step out as leaders in society.

 

He was hopeful that the Girl Power Programme would boost the girl’s self-confidence and inspire them to become leaders in their communities, making way for continued peace and prosperity in Botswana. 

 

He thanked the US marines at the embassy for having personally contributed to the purchase of the boots. 

Present at the handing over was Botswana Football Association (BFA) chief executive officer, Ookeditse Malesu. ENDS