February 28 – The Mauritania Football Federation (Ffrim) has said it plans to grow the women’s game by accelerating the development of its women’s national team. The move comes as the women’s game gears up to this year’s Women’s World Cup in France.
Ffrim is keen on popularising the women’s game – part of the conditions of the money it receives annually from FIFA – and said in a statement: “We have managed to reconcile the general public with men’s football, the objective now is to unite this same public with the women’s game. Ffrim is committed to the development of women’s football, not only on the pitch but also the involvement of women in decision-making bodies within the federation.”
“Our mission is in line with FIFA’s objective to advocate for football accessibility to the greatest number of young girls and women around the world.”
The Federation appointed its first coach of the women’s national team with Abdallahi Diallo taking the reins and also set up a department for women’s football. The governing body is also keen on establishing a local women’s league and developing the game at the grassroots level.
The move comes as Ffrim seeks to capitalise on the recent success of the men’s national team, who for the first time in history qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations, the continent’s flagship tournament.
“We want to contribute to breaking down the socio-cultural barriers that hinder this discipline and to bring our women’s football (up to) the same pace as our men’s game,” said the Ffrim statement.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734859978labto1734859978ofdlr1734859978owedi1734859978sni@o1734859978fni1734859978