APA-Pretoria (South Africa) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged compatriots to support women’s sports, saying the success of major women’s sports tournaments hosted in the country recently would “no doubt bolster our bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.”
Addressing the nation in his weekly newsletter on Monday, the president called on sponsors and sporting bodies to direct greater resources to women’s sports.
In February, the country hosted the first ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup to take place on African soil where the team made history as the first South African team to reach the final.
Ramaphosa said it was only through greater sponsorship and support that women’s sport would be able to grow and attract larger audiences.
As they attracted a greater following, women’s sports events would provide greater value to the sponsors and their products, he said.
“Working together as government, business and the sporting fraternity we can level the playing field for women’s sports in our country,” the president said.
He said the nation’s sportswomen have proven themselves time and again to excel in sports despite the odds against them.
He cited the recent case of the women’s national football team, African champions Banyana Banyana, who did very well at the current 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to reach the Round of 16 at the tournament being played in Australia and New Zealand.
“It is up to us, as a society, to provide the necessary environment that will enable a new generation of women and girls to thrive and excel in sport,” the president said.
NM/jn/APA