SPORTING DIPLOMACY
Kicking off the FIFA Women’s World Cup
by Anisha Pemjee
22 July 2023
The opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicked off on 20 July in New Zealand and Australia who are co-hosting the tournament. 32 national teams from five different confederations are competing for the title in the hope to be crowned world champions on 20 August 2023, at the finale. South Africa’s Banyana Banyana are contenders in the tournament and will face Sweden on 23 July.
On a cold winter morning in Pretoria, South Africa’s capital, this riveting opening match between New Zealand and Norway was livestreamed on a giant screen. The New Zealand and Norwegian missions in Pretoria welcomed young school children to the screening who were excited to watch World Cup football.
The slogan for the World Cup is ‘Going Beyond’. “Women and girls participating in sports can be a game-changer in reducing gender discrimination and inequality,” said High Commissioner Dr Emma Dunlop-Bennet of New Zealand. “Sport has enormous power to generate social, economic and environmental change, to contribute to sustainable development, social cohesion and to even change mind-sets and challenge prejudices. It has long been recognised that sports can be a powerful force, not only for amplifying women’s voices, but also in tearing down gender barriers and discrimination.”
“Women in sports defies the misconception that we are weak, less than and incapable. Every time we clear a hurdle, shoot the hoop, kick a ball, score a try, we are illustrating not only our physical strength, but our leadership and our strategic thinking. Sport can be a powerful driver of gender empowerment and equality.”
Dunlop-Bennet said that Banyana Banyana as African champions and Aotearoa New Zealand’s Black Ferns, the reigning World Rugby champions are an inspiration.
Speaking after the first half Ambassador Gjermund Saether of Norway said that the Women’s Football game has exploded in recent times. Norway won the World Cup in 1995 and he said that their goal was to meet Banyana Banyana in the final amidst roaring applause.
The much anticipated first goal came in the second half scored by New Zealand’s Hannah Wilkinson. The game then opened up and more goal opportunities were created through some deft passing, but with no conversions. Even a penalty was missed by New Zealand who went on to win 1-0, the country’s first-ever victory at the tournament.
The quality of the football has markedly improved over the years and is attracting larger audiences worldwide. The excited youngsters of Matla Combined School from Kromdraai currently in grade 9 are avid players and followers of the beautiful game. Innocentia Malada, Shonisane Kopane, Lesedi Dube and Cicillia Mochwane are footballers playing for their school and aspiring to turn professional and play for the SA National Team. When asked who their football heroes are, Mbappe and Messi topped the list.
TDS