The Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) Women’s Super League launch marked yet another milestone chapter in the history books.
Chief guest Shazia Usman, Communications and Media Specialist for UN Women’s Fiji Multi-Country Offices’ Ending Violence Against Women’s Girls programme, tagged the launch as a her-storic event.
“It is indeed a historic day, or as we like to call it in the gender development and feminist space – her-storic for the Association and for Fijian women in football.
“If you are kid in Fiji, you’ve grown up listening to and watching sports – mainly rugby and football or soccer as we call it, at the district and national level.
“Soccer was and continues to be an important aspect of shared enjoyment, competition, and pride, for not only our towns and cities, but in the homes of average Fijians.
“But as I grew up, I started asking myself – WHERE ARE THE WOMEN IN ALL OF THIS?
“Sure, we were there as spectators, cheering louder than the men sometimes, but where were the women athletes in these national level competitions?
“And so, when my colleagues and I at UN Women heard about the launch of the Women’s Super League by the Fiji Football Association, we were more than excited to be part of this ground-breaking occasion,” Usman mentioned during her address at the launch.
The author of the book Kaluti said this investment in developing women’s participation to beyond one league and introducing Tier 1 allows for skills strengthening and encourages competition.
“It makes way for increased participation of women in coaching, as officials, administration, match officials, and medical staff including physiotherapists.
“I have been told that the Association aspires to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
“I have no doubt that with the commitment already shown today with the launch of this programme, this will become a reality.”
She congratulated and compliment all the women players for their sheer tenacity, hard work, and the passion they have for soccer, which has gotten them this far on the field.
“I know you take pride in playing the sport you love, and I urge you to maintain that pride. In the feminist movement, we like to say, ‘claim your space’. Sports belongs to you and you belong in the sport. And I can’t wait to see you in action.
“I congratulate the Fiji Football Association for your commitment and investment in women in football. This will not only change mindsets, but also change lives.
“And just like the brilliant logo that was launched today, of the spinning frangipani symbolising the growing momentum of women’s football, we hope it also symbolises progress towards gender equality for all Fijian women and girls in all aspects of their lives.”
