MBABANE – Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries Bulunga says continued investment into women’s football will help defeat stereotypes and encourage more young girls to play the sport. Minister Bulunga has been speaking when launching a E200 000-worth RES Corporation Siyakha Sponsorship today.
The sponsorship by the Royal Eswatini Sugar (RES) Corporation to the Lubombo Regional Football Association (LRFA) covers a grassroots football development programme; U-13 and U-15 leagues for both boys and girls; and the main Leagues in the region.
Speaking during the event, Minister Bulunga said “Our girls want to play football but so often, they have had to let go of that passion because of the lack of opportunities; opportunities which our boys, on the other hand, have received in abundance. Such an investment is also a strong message to our girls that it is okay to play football and that they will be supported in doing so.”
“It is a message that will triumph over stereotypes. I therefore urge parents in the Lubombo region to support their girls and allow them to play. I further call upon other partners in the private sector to invest in women’s football. As we have said time and time again, Eswatini’s sport is worth investing on,” added Minister Bulunga.
LRFA Chairman Nichodemus Mashwama highlighted that The marriage between football and RES dates back in years. Over the years the programme has produced players who are now playing in all the divisions in the country.
“We started the Siyakha 1800 programme in 2015. The aim was to get 1800 children playing. We eventually had more than 4000 children playing. It gets children active. This forms part of our community engagement strategy. With the relaunch of the programme we are affirming our commitment to supporting the communities around us,” said RES MD Nick Jackson.
