Through soccer, UN helps young women score life goals

On a scorching night in South Delhi, two teams of girls tear up and down a soccer pitch. They are honing the finer arts of dribbling, passing and ball control – and learning first-hand some critical life skills and values.

The girls were taking part in an exhibition match that was part of Women in Sports: Breaking Barriers, an event aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls to play sports.

United Nations Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp, who participated in a panel discussion before the match, noted the many benefits that come with playing sports, especially for young people.

“Sport is really healthy for learning about leadership and strategy and teamwork and fair play,” he said. Mr. Sharp also emphasized the enormous potential that will flow if India can unlock its gender dividend in sports.

Arjan de Wagt, Deputy Representative at UNICEF India, stressed that engaging in play, exercise and sports were important for the development of both girls and boys.

The event was co-organized by UN India, the embassies of Belgium and the Netherlands and the All India Football Federation. The youth women footballers were brought together by the NGOs Slum Soccer and Cequin India.

Other speakers included Belgian Ambassador Didier Vanderhasselt, Dutch Ambassador Marisa Gerards, Indian women’s soccer star Manisha Kalyan, international archer Jayalakshmi Sarikonda and boxer Gaurav Bidhuri.