African Sports and Athletes: Showcase of Africa.

The power of football is universally recognized as a force that develops not just the body but also the soul, paralleling the influences of education, freedom, unity, innovation, love, and hope. It is universally beloved and, as Ahmad (2023) notes, should be accessible to all. Football is more than a sport; it has evolved into a significant enterprise. The history of women’s football, however, tells a less glorious story. During World War I, women's football was banned in England, with women urged to work in factories to support the war effort instead. Despite drawing a crowd of 53,000, the English FA in 1921 deemed the sport “quite unsuitable for females” and discouraged their participation, a ban that lasted over 50 years until it was lifted (Fassnidge, 2024). In the United States, women’s football experienced a surge in popularity during the Great Depression, particularly in Los Angeles. This initial enthusiasm waned post-World War II (Frezier, nd).

In Africa, the journey of women’s football has been marked by distinct phases: emergence and development in the 1970s-1980s, growth and transition in the 1990s, and institutionalization from 2000 onwards. During the 1960s and 1970s, male football administrators showed little interest in supporting women’s teams, viewing football as a masculine sport. Nonetheless, Nigeria emerged as a pioneer, with women’s matches in the 1940s drawing significant public and media attention. Attempts to establish women’s football clubs in South Africa in 1962 were short-lived (Eplang Library, 2018). Meanwhile, Senegal saw its women’s teams gain popularity, including a notable match in Dakar against an Italian club in 1974.

Cameroon’s national women's team, the Indomitable Lionesses, controlled by the Cameroon Football Association, reflects the country's long engagement with women's football. Starting in the 1970s, Cameroon was among the few African nations with women playing in men’s top leagues, exemplified by Emilienne Mbango playing for Leopards of Douala from 1970 to 1973. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that a national women’s team was formed, led by Regine Mvoue, who captained the team to the African Cup of Nations final in 1991. Despite such milestones, the team's success has been dampened by underfunding and poor conditions compared to the men's game (Enow, 2019).

Advancing Women's Soccer in Africa: Challenges and Strategic Interventions

Pelak (2016) explores the development of women's soccer in South Africa, charting its evolution from 1970 to the present. The study delves into the social and political dynamics of the sport, examining issues related to ethnicity, sex, and social status across three key phases: the emergence and development of the sport from 1970 to 1990, a period of growth and transition from 1991 to 2000, and the phase of institutionalization from 2001 onwards. The research methodology includes interviews with soccer administrators, players, participant observation, and review of archival materials, focusing on demographic changes, advocacy for women's rights, the internationalization of the game, and the development of national and international competitions.

During the initial phase (1970-1990), despite considerable obstacles, white South African women participated actively in soccer, driven by a burgeoning global feminist movement that advocated for women's rights in sports. The post-apartheid era saw a shift with a significant decline in white women's participation and a rise in black women's involvement in soccer. The 1990s were marked by organizational challenges, disputes with men’s soccer, and poor support from football associations. By the 2000s, the sport had gained institutional support, offering more opportunities for women at international levels, though local clubs continued to struggle.

Achu (2018) highlights the underrepresentation of women's football in Africa through a quantitative study of attendees at the African Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon. The findings revealed that the majority of attendees were locals or tourists, underscoring the sport's neglect in Cameroon and reflecting broader issues of gender discrimination in sports. Women's football faces structural inequalities that favor men’s sports, limiting opportunities and visibility for female athletes.

Lesczynski (2020) addresses gender empowerment and equality in South Africa through a case study approach, examining societal barriers that restrict women and girls' participation in sports. The study critiques the skimpy media attention and commercial undervaluation of women’s soccer, which perpetuates gender discrimination and hinders the development of the sport.

Building on these discussions, the need for increased visibility and support for women's soccer is evident. Women's soccer in Cameroon, despite its potential, suffers from inadequate support and poor visibility, particularly in terms of media coverage and public engagement. Unlike men’s soccer, which enjoys widespread popularity and significant investment, women's soccer is often sidelined, receiving minimal attention from both the media and the sports community.

This disparity is rooted in longstanding gender biases that undervalue women’s contributions to sports. The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions and can significantly influence the popularity and support of women's sports. Enhanced media coverage of women's soccer could attract more sponsors, increase fan bases, and provide female athletes with greater opportunities to excel and gain recognition. However, this requires a concerted effort to challenge and change the existing narratives that marginalize women's sports.

Efforts to promote women's soccer should also focus on creating robust development programs that start from the grassroots level. Schools and local clubs should be equipped with the resources and coaching necessary to nurture young talent. Additionally, national and international competitions should be structured to provide equal opportunities for women to compete and showcase their skills on larger platforms.

The government and sports authorities need to implement policies that ensure equal funding and support for women's and men’s sports alike. These policies should enforce non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of sports, including training, competition, and media coverage. Furthermore, engaging community support and fostering a culture that values and celebrates women's sports can help to break down the barriers that women athletes face.

In conclusion, addressing the challenges in women's soccer in Cameroon and other African countries requires a multi-faceted approach that includes policy changes, community engagement, and a strategic push for increased media coverage and commercial support. By recognizing and harnessing the unique contributions of women in soccer, stakeholders can drive significant social and cultural change, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable sports environment.

Conclusion 

Football has a unique ability to unite people, a phenomenon that extends to women's soccer through platforms like social media. In Cameroon, however, the Lionesses have not garnered as much social media engagement as their Nigerian counterparts, revealing a significant gap in the regional and national prioritization of women's football. The lack of support is evident in the minimal online following of female soccer players compared to male footballers, and there is hardly any promotional crossover from male players for women's events. To address these disparities, it is suggested that Cameroonian authorities and football organizations encourage more prominent advertising roles for female players and enhance social media presence by sharing information about both women's and men's football events. Additionally, building stadia that meet international standards across all ten regions of Cameroon could boost visibility and engagement. There is also a call for women to actively support their gender in sports by attending games and promoting matches online, particularly on platforms like TikTok and Facebook, to increase the visibility and following of the Lionesses. Future research should explore the role of women's soccer in empowering female players in Cameroon, considering the current focus on male players for promotional activities.

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