US Embassy launches girls’ soccer program in Ghana
The US Embassy in Ghana has launched a sports diplomacy program to develop girls’ soccer. The first stage took place in the city of Tamale, where 16 coaches were trained to work not only on young female players’ athletic skills, but also on building their confidence, leadership qualities and teamwork.
The program will also be held in Kumasi and Accra. According to MyJoyOnline, the training was organized under a train-the-trainer model, with coaches subsequently passing on the knowledge they gained to young athletes.
Developing leadership through sport
US Embassy Education and Cultural Affairs Attaché Donye Eldridge said the initiative is intended to narrow the gap in the development of girls and boys in youth sports. According to her, the program is meant to provide girls with the same opportunities to develop leadership that are available to boys.
Amy Griffin, a former player on the US women’s national soccer team and a member of the team that won the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Championship, joined the training in Tamale. She is now the executive director of Seattle Reign Academy, a girls’ soccer club.
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Griffin emphasized that the main prerequisite for the development of female athletes is the opportunity to play soccer. She also noted that sport helps girls gain confidence and leadership skills.
Practical session for 96 female soccer players
Ninety-six girls took part in the practical session in Tamale. They applied the knowledge their coaches had acquired: they worked in teams, supported one another, learned not to fear mistakes and demonstrated leadership on the field.
Two participating coaches, Mohammed Nurudeen Sham-una and Fuseini Seidu Babammu, thanked the embassy for the training. They said they would use the practical knowledge they gained in their work with young talents.
The US Embassy said the program is part of efforts to develop more inclusive opportunities for girls in sport and strengthen people-to-people connections through soccer.
