The world football governing body, FIFA, has revealed plans to double the number of female footballers worldwide.
This much needed change has come in a time where feminists in Nigerian and around the world cry for a dissolve of the marginalization of women in various sectors of the economy; 11th October is International Day of the Girl.
FIFA, according to a press release on Wednesday, has set out “concrete projects” to increase the number of female footballers to 60 million worldwide by 2026, while also professionalising club and national leagues.
“The three overriding objectives that we have are: increasing participation, enhancing the commercial value and building the foundations.”
— Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s Chief Woman Football Office r(AFP)
Sarai Bareman. thecoconet.tv
The committee aims to develop coaches, referees, the administration, and “the people who are around the women’s game,” in order to build and maintain a strong structure befitting for the growth of women in the sport.
Bareman also said, FIFA wants change off the field as well, as it plans to incorporate more women into the decision making body.
Speaking about the budget and staff dedicated to the project, Bareman said her committee is a small group of experts, however, the entire organization of FIFA is responsible for implementing the strategy.
She went on to laud the first female FIFA general secretary, Fatima Samoura, and the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, for their amazing support to the committee.
“We have to do more, because it’s not enough. We need to turn to the next level, we need to have a strategy to do that”
— Infantino (FIFA)
