I had no idea Turkish women played sports, especially football, but apparently "Two years ago the Turkish women's professional football league folded amid much derision from males and bogus medical reports suggesting the "beautiful game" is detrimental to the female body. Now the sport's national governing body, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), is ready to give it another bash." source
While a revamped women's league is expected to kick off in March, last weekend 14 teams battled for glory in Istanbul's "Women Are Coming" tournment - a promotional event which also served as a showcase for talent which will help selectors choose players for Turkey's national women's team.
Still, organisers know that the league's success does not rest on enthusiasm alone and that prejudice against women donning their studded football boots and taking to the field remains strong.
"There are two reasons why the previous women's league was suspended in 2003," explains TFF Planning and Development Coordinator, Ahmet Guvener.
"First, it was not professionally managed and organised and secondly some 'undesired affairs' occured between the players and the trainers. But this time we are very well organised”, he says.
Despite football's global appeal - in Europe only Turkey and Albania don't have professional women's leagues while in the United States, home of the current women's World Champions, the majority of players are female - in Turkey their is widespread belief that the sport remains a "men’s game" according to Guvener.
Do we have women's football in the USA? Oh, they mean soccer don't they, ha. Silly me. Will this add an entirely new aspect to the 'obligatory butt pat' after a good play?
Well written article, and I agree entirely. Thank you for your fresh point of view. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Manchester United | July 14, 2009 at 12:37 AM