The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, FFIRM,have expressed their will to develop women football as the country sets out to select their first ever female national selection.
This decision comes on the hills of Mauritania’s make team’s qualification for their first ever Men’s Africa Cup Nations Cup finals to take place in June this year.
The Mauritania National football team baptized Al-Murabitun qualified
on November 18, 2018 after a win over Botswana. The FFIRM in a statement disclosed that their goal is to advocate for
football accessibility to the greatest number of young girls and women around the world. A campaign which stands out tall in world football
governing body, FIFA’s agenda.
To this effect the FFIRM has established a department to coordinate activities relating to the development of women football in the country.
The country is equally looking forward to set up women competitions at
both professional and youth level with the training of female coaches and administrators among their aims.
Meanwhile Abdallahi Diallo has been appointed by the federation as the
first head coach of the Women’s selection.
The promotion of female football in Mauritania is mostly funded by FIFA
not the National Football Association.
Football is considered the second most popular sport in Mauritania behind
Basketball.
In 2006, women showed great interest in the sport with over 100 registered female footballers. However at that time, women football was not recognized in schools and mixed football not allowed.
The FFIRM is capitalizing on women football to combat cultural barriers
citing the how the men’s game has been able to help unify the country so
far.
Emmanuel Beng
