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Double standard in Jamaican football
Anika Williams, Youthlink writer <TABLE borderColor=#ff66cc cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="2%" align=right border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD><DIV align=center>Reggae Girlz in training at the National Stadium earlier this year. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer</DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Throughout the years, women have been marginalised, and for some inconceivable reason, viewed as the more inferior of the sexes. Their contribution in every sphere, except in childbearing and homemaking, of course, gets little or no recognition, and is constantly backed by the stereotypical view that 'certain jobs are not for females'. Here, I ask the question - Is this the reason for the minuscule or lack of support for the Reggae Girlz, whether from the JFF, the business sector, or the general public?
Football, as is many other sports, is male-oriented. However, this does not allow for a patent on sole male participation; and, we have to admit that women have constantly proven their worth in the sport. The Reggae Girlz are no exception.
Why is it then that the Reggae Boyz, who have performed so poorly over the past few years, have money being poured constantly into their coffers, while the Girlz have to be 'begging' in aid of their World Cup preparation? Yes, World Cup - where the Reggae Boyz have not been seen since their historic participation in 1998. No one needs to highlight how financially unstable the country is, but this has not stopped the Reggae Boyz's countless escapades, journeying near and far for their renowned massive defeats.
Don't get me wrong, I am an ardent supporter of the Boyz; I do believe that they have the potential to excel and that we should continue to support them. But my question is - Why are the Reggae Girlz not given the support they so deserve? Why are we resigning these Girlz to begging their way to the Word Cup, when all they aspire to do is bring glory to our country? What about sponsorships?
Journey to Germany
Let us reflect for a moment on the Reggae Boyz's 'Journey to Germany', or should I say 'failure to reach Germany'. There was 'buy a beer for the Boyz' - courtesy of Red Stripe and, of course, Air Jamaica, who had their tickets ready and waiting in the event that they qualified, among a host of other corporate sponsors such as Digicel, Wray and Nephew and Uhlsport.
Now, just where are these sponsors when the Girlz are preparing for their World Cup? Yes, some of them are dipping into their pockets in support of the Girlz, but just how far are they digging? </DIV><DIV align=left><TABLE height=9 cellPadding=2 width="18%" align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top bgColor=#cc0000 height=12>more sports</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV>
Double standard in Jamaican football
Anika Williams, Youthlink writer <TABLE borderColor=#ff66cc cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="2%" align=right border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD><DIV align=center>Reggae Girlz in training at the National Stadium earlier this year. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer</DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Throughout the years, women have been marginalised, and for some inconceivable reason, viewed as the more inferior of the sexes. Their contribution in every sphere, except in childbearing and homemaking, of course, gets little or no recognition, and is constantly backed by the stereotypical view that 'certain jobs are not for females'. Here, I ask the question - Is this the reason for the minuscule or lack of support for the Reggae Girlz, whether from the JFF, the business sector, or the general public?
Football, as is many other sports, is male-oriented. However, this does not allow for a patent on sole male participation; and, we have to admit that women have constantly proven their worth in the sport. The Reggae Girlz are no exception.
Why is it then that the Reggae Boyz, who have performed so poorly over the past few years, have money being poured constantly into their coffers, while the Girlz have to be 'begging' in aid of their World Cup preparation? Yes, World Cup - where the Reggae Boyz have not been seen since their historic participation in 1998. No one needs to highlight how financially unstable the country is, but this has not stopped the Reggae Boyz's countless escapades, journeying near and far for their renowned massive defeats.
Don't get me wrong, I am an ardent supporter of the Boyz; I do believe that they have the potential to excel and that we should continue to support them. But my question is - Why are the Reggae Girlz not given the support they so deserve? Why are we resigning these Girlz to begging their way to the Word Cup, when all they aspire to do is bring glory to our country? What about sponsorships?
Journey to Germany
Let us reflect for a moment on the Reggae Boyz's 'Journey to Germany', or should I say 'failure to reach Germany'. There was 'buy a beer for the Boyz' - courtesy of Red Stripe and, of course, Air Jamaica, who had their tickets ready and waiting in the event that they qualified, among a host of other corporate sponsors such as Digicel, Wray and Nephew and Uhlsport.
Now, just where are these sponsors when the Girlz are preparing for their World Cup? Yes, some of them are dipping into their pockets in support of the Girlz, but just how far are they digging? </DIV><DIV align=left><TABLE height=9 cellPadding=2 width="18%" align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top bgColor=#cc0000 height=12>more sports</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV>
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