Karasburg – The FIFA Grassroots Galz and Goals Festival, an event dedicated to girls under 13, was successfully held in Karasburg on Saturday. The festival saw participation from approximately 140 girls from Gabis, Ariamsvlei, Warmbad, and Karasburg, focusing on the theme ‘Young girls can change lives’.
According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), the festival’s primary aim was to introduce the participants to football and initiate their journey towards potentially joining the women’s senior team. Simbayia highlighted the event’s broader objectives, which included keeping young girls engaged in constructive activities, educating them about the importance of sports, promoting healthy lifestyles, and demonstrating how sports can positively impact their lives. She emphasized the mental and physical health benefits that come from such engagement.
Roxandre Mutero, one of the participants, shared her personal experiences with football, noting how the sport has taught her respect, motivation, and optimism. She expressed her aspirations to play for the national team one day and appreciated the festival for providing exposure and opportunities for player scouting and learning.
Joana-lee Simboyia, a player from the national women’s team and a native of Karasburg, also known as ‘Dakaza’, shared her journey with the young participants. She encouraged them to take football seriously as a potential career path. Starting her football journey at the age of seven, Simboyia emphasized the importance of grassroots level involvement, stating that success at the national level begins with a strong foundation in local football initiatives.
The event also featured a healthy lifestyle boot camp and fun games, adding to the holistic development approach of the festival.
Through initiatives like the FIFA Grassroots Galz and Goals Festival, young girls in Karasburg are not only being introduced to the world of football but are also being given a platform to explore their potential and nurture their talents in the sport.