On Wednesday, the Mamelodi Sundowns donated about one hundred football boots and twenty-seven soccer balls to local females in honour of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), a day to celebrate the successes of female athletes, highlight the positive effects of sports on women and girls, and commemorate the strides made and still to be made toward gender parity in the sporting arena.
At the Central Sport Grounds in Mamelodi, Andisiwe Mgcoyi, the current coach of the female Under-15 side, spoke enthusiastically about the club’s plans to celebrate the occasion.
“It gives me great joy to be part of the club’s strategy to provide more girls with the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game. As a coach, I love to be around young girls and events like this give me great fulfillment. I am a big advocate of sports development among young girls because it helps to boost their self-esteem as well as improve their overall mental well-being. I am hoping that more young girls can embrace sports so that they can benefit from the physical, mental and social benefits the game offers,” Andisiwe stated.
Founded in 1987, International Women and Girls in Sports Day serves to celebrate the achievements of women in sports and encourage more girls to get involved.
Lerato Kgasago highlighted the importance of National Girls and Women in Sports Day in her own life by paying tribute to the woman who first sparked her interest in football on this day.
“I am always excited about this special day because it recognizes the significance of women’s involvement in sports. Football provides a safe and supportive environment in which young girls can develop confidence, self-discipline and a sense of accomplishment. As a professional, it gives me great joy to inspire and motivate younger girls to get involved in the beautiful game. Aside from my parents, Portia Modise (Banyana Banyana legend) was someone I looked up to while growing up because she was a technically gifted player,” said Lerato.
Captain Zanele Nhlapho said, “My greatest wish is that girls and women receive an increased level of respect, recognition, and opportunities. I hope that the popularity of girls’ and women’s sports both domestically and continentally will continue to grow and that more young girls and women will be inspired to take up sports. I also hope to see more girls and women in leadership roles within sports and that they will be given the same opportunities as their male counterparts. Finally, I hope that more resources and funding will be devoted to girls and women’s sports so that they have the same access to equipment, facilities, and coaching as men do.”
Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club has shown its commitment to empowering young women through their celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The club is dedicated to empowering women and girls through athletics by fostering an inclusive and supportive community for them to learn, play, and excel in.
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