The Namibia Football Association (NFA) officially launched its first-ever strategic plan for women’s football in the country on Wednesday.
The four-year strategic plan was launched by the Acting Director of Sport Irvine Ndjavera, on behalf of the Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero, and it seeks to carve a new path for the development of women’s football.
Speaking at the launch in Windhoek, chairperson of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Normalisation Committee Bisey /Uirab, said the strategic plan will serve as a guide for the NFA and the stakeholders in women’s football, on how to develop women’s football through five pillars in the next four years.
“These are participation; talent pathway; excellence and performance; governance and leadership; education and capacity building and visibility and sustainability. It also provides a roadmap for the vision to grow women’s football in numbers and quality and make it the number one preferred sport for girls in Namibia,” he said.
Some of the goals of the plan include increased access, mass participation, improving the quality of national teams, improving elite player support and well-being on and off the field, and producing a competent and adequate representation of women’s football at the executive level and leadership positions.
Further goals are to provide holistic educational opportunities and career pathways for players, coaches, referees, medical personnel, instructors and administrators.
On her part, Tjongarero said it is now time to recognise the full potential and impact of the women’s game on the lives of adolescent girls.
“The plan emphasises the importance of holistic education, enhancing life skills amongst the athletes, creating a careers pathway, as well as creating opportunities for both players and stakeholders in the football community,” she said.
The minister added that the plan will focus on the development and sustainability of women’s football and the support of the game at all levels, while also improving the governance and leadership of women in the sport.
The strategic plan was put together by various governmental, non-governmental entities and individuals who provided technical guidance and funding, in collaboration with FIFA, the NFA and other stakeholders.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
