some young girls from the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ youth development team recently demonstrated their FIFA 23 skills in a Play Like a Girl activation as part of the activities to commemorate International Women’s Day.
‘Play Like a Girl’ is a movement that encourages and empowers girls and women to participate in sports and physical activities. It seeks to inspire girls and women to pursue their passions and overcome any obstacles they may face in the male-dominated sports world.
In an exciting event held in Paulshof, Gauteng, a group of six talented youngsters, under the expert guidance of Coach Andisiwe Mgcoyi, took to the game console to showcase their skills and passion for the sport.
Lindelwa Mabuza, who plays for the Under-16 team, expressed her delight at the event, “Participating in this FIFA 23 event means the world to me. As a young girl, this game provides me with an opportunity to apply the skills I have learned in real life and further develop my knowledge of the sport. It’s a truly valuable experience for me.”
On the female icon that has inspired her, Lindelwa said, “Caster Semenya will always be my favourite because of her incredible ability on the track. Whenever I watch her clips, I am inspired by her talent and determination. She is a true example for young girls everywhere, showing them that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.”
Amara Moothosamy, a 12-year-old central midfielder for the Under-13 team, shared her thoughts on what International Women’s Day means to her.
“Women’s Day is important to me because we get to honour the amazing women who fought for our rights in the past. But it’s also a reminder that women all over the world are still facing tough challenges, like domestic violence and limited access to education for girls. I hope that the world will continue to push for change, so that all girls and women can feel safe, respected, and have the same opportunities as everyone else,” Moothosamy said.
The youngster also mentioned the female athlete who has inspired her the most, “Janine van Wyk has been a huge inspiration to me because she is an incredibly talented footballer whose impact has been felt not just in South Africa but also beyond its borders. Additionally, she owns a football club in South Africa, and she remains a true icon in the sport.”
Zinhle Mkhize, who also plays for the Under-13 team, emphasized the significance of having strong female representation in sports as a source of inspiration for young girls.
“Seeing strong female representation in sports is crucial for young girls like me as it allows us to cultivate our skills, confidence, and love for the game. Such representation also enables us to comprehend the significance of teamwork, perseverance, and good sportsmanship, and how these values can be carried beyond the field,” stated Mkhize.
With regards to the female athlete who has inspired her, Mkhize said, “Thembi Kgatlana has been a huge inspiration for me to pursue football. Whenever I watch her play, I’m in awe of her incredible skills, talent, and amazing personality. She has such incredible potential as a player, and I believe she’s truly one of the best in the world. I hope to meet her someday and have the opportunity to learn from her.”
The participation of academy youngsters in the Play Like a Girl event is yet another example of Mamelodi Sundowns’ unwavering commitment to developing the potential of young players.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s essential to acknowledge the significant strides that the club has taken toward creating opportunities for young girls to showcase their talents and promote gender equality in sports.
By providing such opportunities, the club is not only nurturing young talent but also setting an inspiring example for others to follow.
