FIFA, SSFA launch girls’ inter-school tournament
South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) in partnership with the world’s football governing body, FIFA, has launched the first-ever girls’ inter-school tournament.
The event is part of FIFA’s project to promote women’s football in the country.
SSFA, president Gen. Augustino Maduot described the project as a watershed moment in women’s football, adding that it will provides opportunity for the girls to discover their talents in sports.
“This is a huge boost for the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA), especially given the recent progress in women’s football. We are officially establishing the country’s first girls’ inter-school tournament,” Maduot said.
Maduot encouraged the competing school girls to take the competition seriously if they want to become professional footballers.
Also, he urged the parents to allow their children to discover their potential talents.
Meanwhile, Arijana Demirovic, FIFA Women’s Football Development Manager, said the girls’ first-ever inter-school tournament is one of the country’s women’s sports projects.
She said the projects are aimed at promoting women’s football development in South Sudan, particularly through awareness campaigns on girls’ menstrual hygiene, which often prevents girls from pursuing their studies or talents in football.
“Most significantly, the goal is to encourage girls to attend school regularly and to assist them to overcome the obstacles they face in the football profession,” Demirovic said.
“We are working closely with the South Sudan Football Association and the Ministry of Sports to explore how we can help girls in South Sudan, not just footballers, to attend school.’’
According to the FIFA women’s manager, other objectives of the inter-school tournament include recognising and addressing difficulties that girls face in their studies and social activities such as athletics.
She said the inter-school competition will benefit females across the country as it is expected to have a significant impact on girls’ performance in schools and sports.
Demirovic said South Sudan women’s football is expected to get more support.
“Girls have fewer opportunities to participate in social activities such as sports. As a result, much work is required to create an environment that encourages them [girls] to participate in sports.”
The first-ever inter-school event is scheduled to attract 27 primary schools across Juba.
