by sports reporter
Former US international and Morocco director of women’s football Kelly Lindsay has challenged current and former players in that country to step up to the blade and lead the game into the glorious future.
This follows the signing of a historic dedicated women’s football strategy aimed at growing the ladies’ game in the next four years between the Morocco Football Federation (FRMF) and stakeholders such as National Women’s Football League (LNFF), and the National Technical Directorate (DTN) last week.
A massive investment into the women’s game in that country was agreed upon while some audacious objectives such as qualification to global and continental events were set.
Another targets include getting about 90,000 women playing the game by 2024 as well as train 10,000 women with the technical skills to coach at women’s clubs.
It is in this area that Kelly who is also the national team coach feels current and former players will need to come in handy and take the lead.
“For women who are currently playing or are former players, I sense the passion for developing the women’s game runs deep in their veins,” Kelly said.
“We need these women to be the leaders of the game, to provide female role models and support for young girls who want to be a part of the game. We need to commit to personally inviting every young girl into the game of football with us.
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“Once a young woman gets the passion of football in her heart, and we provide her the opportunities to develop as a person and player, as well as, the pathway to a career in the game, nothing can stop her. We very much look forward to the women of Morocco being the future leaders of the game,” the 40-year-old former US defender added.
Women football in Morocco is set for a complete professional makeover with top-flight teams in the new women’s league now entitled to monthly funding from the FRMF of up to US$130,000.
On the other hand second-tier competition will be receiving about US$86,000 per month to help pay the salaries of players and technical staff.
The regional leagues will get just over $10,000 for the development of women’s football subject to respect of the terms of the contract.
“For any woman in the world, it is hard to make a living in the women’s game, and if we do not provide opportunity and stability, then women cannot commit to a long-term career in developing the game.
“This convention focuses on providing careers for players, coaches and leaders of the game to have stable careers, make a living, and develop as professionals,” said Kelly Lindsey.
Kelly has complete faith in the attainability of the set objectives which she says are practical and inspiring.
“The objectives are very practical and inspiring at the same time. We want to be transformative, and that requires a strategy with big goals and aspirations, as well as a step by step development plan to achieve each phase of the vision.
“No one person can achieve this alone, that is what makes these objectives unique, we need the entire country to unite together around the development of women’s football from grassroots through elite, and that is our vision and mission.
“We have a lot of work to do. It will take the entire country working together to achieve the objectives we have set forth for the women’s game,” she said.
The American’s personal vision for women football in Morocco is simple.
“Simply, I want the people of Morocco to fall in love with their women’s team. I want the women’s teams and coaches to bring great pride to the country on the African and International stage,” revealed Kelly.
Morocco is looking to get the women’s team in the top 50 of FIFA rankings and top three in African Nation as well as qualify teams for Afcon, World Cup and Olympics by 2024.
