Zanzibar's under-14 girls' team tackles gender stereotypes in football

Imagine setting off on an adventure from Zanzibar to France, competing in an international football tournament, and making friends in a country far from home.

For the Zanzibar Sparks, Zanzibar’s under-14 girls’ football team, this dream became a reality when they participated in the Plomelin Mondial Pupilles tournament in France in May 2024.

The Plomelin Mondial Pupilles is an annual international tournament for under-13 players that takes place in Plomelin, France.

This journey marked the Sparks’ first time travelling beyond Tanzania’s borders, a milestone highlighted by Petra Karume, Executive Director of Women Empowerment Zanzibar (WEZA), a non-governmental organisation supporting the team.

On the international stage, the young athletes proudly represented Tanzania, advocating for equal access to sports and education for girls around the world.

“Their participation empowered them to challenge stereotypes, proving that strength, skill, and determination know no gender,” Karume emphasised.

WEZA, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls, offers opportunities to lead healthy and resilient lives through access to sports, health education, vocational skills, and climate-action initiatives.

Through their Sport4Girls project, WEZA works with the Zanzibar Sparks to address gender disparities in sports and education, fostering life skills like independence, confidence, and resilience.

Since joining the Twende Olympics project in 2023, the Zanzibar Sparks have become champions on and off the field, inspiring young girls to pursue their dreams. The Twende Olympics, a two-year initiative by the French Embassy in Tanzania, promotes sports across the country while raising awareness of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, held in Paris this year.

At a recent friendly match with the French International School in Dar es Salaam, the Sparks demonstrated the same energy, skill, and determination that made them stand out on the field.

The term ‘friendly’ hardly captures the intensity on the field—it was a high-energy game that could rival a national league match, with fierce tackles, skilful dribbles, precise shots on goal, and tight defenses. Watching these girls, one can easily picture future stars of Tanzania’s national women’s team, the Twiga Stars.

Despite the smaller pitch and a close 2-1 victory, the game was about more than scoring goals; it was about connection, confidence, and growth.

According to WEZA’s Karume, the match was also a warm-up for the upcoming Chipukizi Cup in Arusha, which will take place from December 9 to 15.

“This is a rare and valuable opportunity for the Zanzibar Sparks to gain match experience as they prepare for the prestigious Chipukizi Cup in Arusha this December,” Karume explained.

The Chipukizi Cup is the largest East African youth football tournament held in Tanzania. Each year, around 95 teams with 1300 boys and girls from four African nations take part and play circa 360 games on 10 fields.

Standard Six pupil and Sparks player Riziki Shariff reflected on the opportunity: “Through our team, we’ve shared our skills and showcased our talent beyond Zanzibar. Parents need to support their children’s dreams, whether in sports or any profession.”

For Standard Seven pupil Mwasalama Daudi, the match brought excitement and challenge. Laughing, she added, “It was a good game, but the pitch was too small! We’re a team of 11, not seven!”

Mwasalama emphasised the importance of balancing education with passion and like Riziki, she encouraged parents to be supportive. “Some pupils have talent, but their parents are too strict. Parents need to support and nurture their children’s talents,” she shared.

The Sparks’ talent and spirit inspired everyone, including France’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Anne-Sophie Ave.

“This game underscores the strength of our partnership and the spirit of friendship that sport fosters. Empowering young talent is a commitment we hold dear,” Ambassador Ave noted. She emphasised that football imparts valuable life skills, builds bonds, and shows young girls that they can achieve anything.

“The idea is to show that girls can do it—they can play football and show the world what young women have to offer,” noted the ambassador.

According to Karume, each training session includes discussions on menstrual hygiene, nutrition, gender-based violence, and early pregnancy prevention.

“This holistic approach makes the team more than just a group of players; they are a family, welcoming every girl, regardless of their background or experience,” she said.

With WEZA’s support, these young players are finding their voices, daring to dream, and believing in their potential.

The Zanzibar Sparks’ journey to France serves as a reminder that young people have the power to create change. Whether on the field, in the classroom, or within their communities, bravery and self-belief are the first steps toward achieving anything.