UNICEF and the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) are calling for girls aged 12 to 16 years to take part in a nationwide football talent scout, said a BFF and UNICEF joint press release on Thursday.
“Sport has an incredible way of bringing people together. It can completely transform people’s perceptions of girls’ potential and the role they can play in the society. Sport has something to offer girls and boys equally. Aside from the physical and mental health benefits, sports build self-esteem, confidence and a sense of self-determination,” said Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF representative in Bangladesh.
School closures and lockdown restrictions have severely limited children’s opportunities for exercising and having fun with their friends over the past year, taking a heavy toll on both their physical and mental health. The football talent scout aims to address the situation by motivating children to become actively involved in sports.
“We are extremely proud of this programme. We know that many girls, particularly those living in remote and hard-to-reach areas, have traditionally been cut off from sports. We hope this initiative can inspire parents and communities to promote girls’ participation in sports. The benefits are enormous and go far beyond the playing field,” said BFF president Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin.
