‘Girlz and Goals’ ending, a setback for women’s football … as NFA puts onus on regions to establish leagues

‘Girlz and Goals’ ending, a setback for women’s football … as NFA puts onus on regions to establish leagues

The discontinuation of the Unicef Galz and Goals’ programme in Namibia around 2019 has left a gaping void in the country’s youth football development system, particularly for female players. 

This is according to some players and stakeholders in the football fraternity who spoke to New Era Sport yesterday.

They said this programme, launched in November 2009, was a groundbreaking initiative aimed at encouraging girls to take up sports, particularly football, and empower them to realise their potential both on and off the field. 

By using football as a platform, Galz and Goals sought to promote health, social responsibility and life skills, while creating football leagues for girls across the country.

Under the leadership of Jacky Shipanga and Jacky Gertze, the programme made significant strides, providing basic football coaching, health information sessions and a host of activities aimed at improving the lives of young girls. 

Through its work, Galz and Goals not only honed the skills of future football stars, but also educated girls on key social issues such as gender equality, leadership and personal well-being. 

It became a vital institution in developing both the athletic and social futures of young girls in Namibia. However, since the programme’s abrupt ending around 2019, the development of young female footballers has faced a significant setback, football lovers said. 

They also observed that the country has struggled to identify and nurture fresh talent at the grassroots level, which was previously one of the programme’s key strengths. Most of the players seen now in the junior national teams are scouted by local coaches. However, notable players like Annouscka Kordom, Milicent Hikuam, Memory Ngonda, Emma Naris and Lovisa Mulunga were scouted through Galz and Goals at tender ages, and are now representing the national senior women’s football team.

They said with the programme no longer in existence, the gap in talent development has become glaringly evident. 

Stakeholders referred to recent international results, such as the U/17 junior women’s team crushing 10-0 in the first leg and 8-1 in the second leg against Uganda in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, highlight the growing concern over Namibia’s standing in women’s football. 

It is also stated that the absence of structured youth leagues and platforms for young girls has left them unable to compete at the level required for international success.

Beneficiary Speaks

Mulunga, one of the standout players who emerged through the programme, has been vocal about the programme’s significant impact on her development. “It was the only well-established platform in Namibia, where young girls could develop their footballing skills and also gain an education on social issues pertaining to young girls in society,” She said. “I was fortunate enough to have gone through this programme, and it has equipped me with the skills and knowledge, both on and off the field.”

Mulunga went on to express her frustration over the programme’s disappearance. “From this programme, I progressed quite well from the grassroots structures into the national level structure. Outside of football, the growth is evident: I gained a lot of confidence and self-esteem, I was able to take up leadership roles, and I was able to make better life decisions. All of this was through the well-established programme.”

Lack of initiatives

She lamented the absence of similar initiatives in the country, particularly when it comes to providing young girls with the necessary exposure to footballing structures. “It is sad to see that the programme is no longer in existence. Young girls cannot be exposed to footballing structures, and we don’t have platforms where coaches can select quality players. 

“This is unfortunate to witness. The absence of this programme is a disservice to the whole country. It feels as though we are moving 10 years back with no growth and development at grassroots level. My biggest wish is for a programme like this to be reintroduced,” Mulunga added.

The lack of a dedicated programme for young female footballers has been compounded by broader structural issues within the Namibia Football Association (NFA). When questioned about the poor performance of the national teams, particularly the young players, NFA’s Isack Hamata acknowledged the association’s concerns. “These results are clearly not a reflection of the talent we have in the country. The issue of our poor performance in international matches has been uppermost on the minds of the NFA president and his executive council.”

Hamata pointed to efforts being made by the NFA to address the situation, including directives for regional youth leagues for both boys and girls, as well as the establishment of women’s regional leagues and third division leagues. He emphasised that grassroots development is essential for Namibia to compete on the international stage. “It is only with such an approach at the grassroots level that we will be able to compete and stand our own against other nations.”

He further clarified the NFA’s role in ensuring that regional structures are equipped with the necessary resources to implement development programmes. “The NFA’s responsibility is to create a conducive environment for every talent to play football and be given an opportunity to be selected for national team duties. We rely on the regions to implement the development programmes, as that is where the talent lies.”

Vaccuum Left

In response to questions about the status of the Women’s Desk, which had previously been one of the key drivers for female football development at the NFA, Hamata explained that the department had been integrated into the NFA’s technical department. He added that the women’s football functions had been decentralised, with specific responsibilities assigned to other departments, such as the league directorate, which now oversees the Women’s Super League.

“Football development is a mammoth task that requires all hands-on deck, from the NFA, government, corporate sector, and the general football-loving public. We are calling on all stakeholders who are willing to finance or fund our youth leagues to come on board and support the NFA in its push for football development. We can only succeed if all stakeholders work together and support one another,” he urged. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na