Private legal practitioner and CAF Match Commissioner, Madam Naa Odofoley Nortey, has revealed that societal problems are usually diminishing the development of women in sports.
According to her, the low involvement of women in sports is not generally due to a lack of interest in sports but rather to the long history of direct and indirect systematic forms of discrimination and stereotyping as well as many other problems that society has attached to women.
Speaking at the just-ended Africa Women’s Sports Summit as one of the Speakers, she said, “The interest and support in women’s sports is not encouraging due to the absence of motivation from stakeholders who are still clinging to some social perceptions about sportswomen.”
She added that, as a woman sports enthusiast, sometimes she has to force policymakers to support the various female teams.
“The discrimination is discouraging and can lower the spirits of these women, but I besiege them to put in their best and should be responsible for changing the narrative.”
In the past, sports was considered a male domain activity. The power and politics used in sports have contributed to significant constraints on female participation in sports. This is due to the fact that, men wield a great deal of power in the development and management of female sports. Men are also seen to be more aggressive, a trait necessary for their participation in sports.
The Africa Women’s Sports Summit seeks to present a platform for mentorship, training, and greater female inclusion in the African sports scene.
Started in 2019 by Ghanaian sportscaster Juliet Bawuah, it is an enabler of initiatives that go a long way to helping African women in sports attain their personal, community, and career goals.
The special guest for the 2022 event was Her Excellency Hajia Samira Bawumia, Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana.
Speakers were Barbara Gonzalez, CEO, Simba Sport Club, Tanzania, Thato Moeng, SuperSport, South Africa; and Naa Odofoley Nortey, Private Legal Practitioner and CAF Match Commissioner.
The event was held at the Accra, International Conference Centre, in Ghana’s capital, Accra. Theme: “Be the Change”
The Africa Women’s Sports Summit is a Sportted Ghana Limited event.