Naris promises to fight for women footballers
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Namibian football achieved a milestone recently when Stacey Naris was appointed as a board member of the African division of the International Federation of Professional Footballers (Fifpro).
The recommendation to appoint her came from Stephane Burchkalter, the secretary-general of the Africa division, while the Namibia Football Players Union (Nafpu) also played an important role.
The Brave Gladiators defender and employee of Nafpu, is the first woman to sit on the board of the Fifpro Africa Division.
She said her job entails representing the interests and addressing the issues affecting football players in Africa and provide leadership as per the mandate and strategic objectives of Fifpro.
“It just comes naturally for me to advocate and promote issues and rights of female players on the continent and the world.
Changes that I would like to see are more African countries competing in the World Cup and that would also come with professional leagues and more playing time,” Naris said.
She said further that in some African countries, women are kept off the field because of issues which can be addressed.
“Some girls fail to compete because of lack of sanitary pads or sport bras.
Some do not compete due to the unwillingness of certain parties to provide financial assistance.”
She added that the Ugandan women's under-20 team never made it to the World Cup because their government pulled them out of the competition at the last minute, citing lack of funds.
“Imagine the opportunities that could have come their way if they were given the chance to compete. There is an urgent need for funding and an increased need for licensed players. We also need to boost the number of female coaches.”
Namibian football achieved a milestone recently when Stacey Naris was appointed as a board member of the African division of the International Federation of Professional Footballers (Fifpro).
The recommendation to appoint her came from Stephane Burchkalter, the secretary-general of the Africa division, while the Namibia Football Players Union (Nafpu) also played an important role.
The Brave Gladiators defender and employee of Nafpu, is the first woman to sit on the board of the Fifpro Africa Division.
She said her job entails representing the interests and addressing the issues affecting football players in Africa and provide leadership as per the mandate and strategic objectives of Fifpro.
“It just comes naturally for me to advocate and promote issues and rights of female players on the continent and the world.
Changes that I would like to see are more African countries competing in the World Cup and that would also come with professional leagues and more playing time,” Naris said.
She said further that in some African countries, women are kept off the field because of issues which can be addressed.
“Some girls fail to compete because of lack of sanitary pads or sport bras.
Some do not compete due to the unwillingness of certain parties to provide financial assistance.”
She added that the Ugandan women's under-20 team never made it to the World Cup because their government pulled them out of the competition at the last minute, citing lack of funds.
“Imagine the opportunities that could have come their way if they were given the chance to compete. There is an urgent need for funding and an increased need for licensed players. We also need to boost the number of female coaches.”
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