Football

Women participation in football

EU gives leg up to women’s football in Karnali

EU Delegation in Nepal commits investment to scaled up training for women footballers and their career development in the province

Nepal Minute 07/11/2022 at 01:42 PM

https://www.nepalminute.com/uploads/posts/eu1667808165.jpg — Photo: European Union in Nepal/Facebook

The world’s biggest sporting spectacle – World Cup – is less than two weeks away, but excitement is all around in the footballing quarters in Karnali Province.

European Union in Nepal has announced that it will collaborate with the local authority to increase women’s football participation in the province.

The topic came up in a meeting between EU in Nepal's Charge d'affaires, Joëlle Hivonnet, and Mayor of Birendranagar Municipality, Mohan Maya Dhakal on Sunday.

On the occasion, Hivonnet said that collaboration has been started through the non-governmental organisation for the EU's investment to increase women's participation in football and in promoting women's football in Karnali Province.

Karnali Province suffered a 16-0 defeat to eventual champions Armed Police Force in a match of the recently concluded ninth National Games. But with EU extending its helping hand such a debacle in the football field could soon be a thing of the past.

"Investment would be scaled up for training women football players and their career development. This will boost self-confidence in women. We are confident this would increase women's attraction towards football," the EU Delegation's top official said.

Hivonnet is in Surkhet in connection with the inauguration of the 11th edition of the Nepal European Union Film Festival here.

During the meeting, Hivonnet talked on the projects the EU has implemented in Nepal, especially in Karnali Province, the future plans, women empowerment and inclusion, among other topics. She said an agreement has been reached recently with the Government of Nepal for running a project on gender empowerment.

Mayor Dhakal informed the meeting about the activities carried out by the Municipality regarding women empowerment and women health and protection. She mentioned about the skill development training provided to women, free distribution of sanitary pads from health posts, free medical examination to pregnant women and gynaecological services. She said these programmes have helped in increasing income generation of women and in protecting women's health.