DILI, 12 july 2021 (TATOLI) – The Girls Alliance (GA) organized a mini futsal tournament to celebrate its third anniversary, to take place on july 16, this year.
Seven teams of males and females were competing in the tournament, including TLYFP, Rotarac, ECC, ENVAC, PFN, RYDEN, and Girls Alliance.
Speaking on day-2 of the competition, Girls Alliance Officer Timor-Leste, Odelia da Luz Vargas said futsal was one of the three activities GA organized to celebrate its third anniversary.
“The aim of organizing this mini futsal tournament is to build and strengthen connections and friendships between young people from different groups of the youth movement in Dili. I think, such a tournament was crucial to promoting peace and stability in the country,” Vargas told TATOLI at Benfica’s futsal camp, in Dili today.
“We try to get more teenage girls and young adult women into playing sports. It’s one of the ways to empower teenage girls and young adult women through sport and physical activity.” Vargas said.
At the same place, the President of the Organizing Committee for the commemoration of the third anniversary of the Girls Alliance, Fidelio Mesquita Soares said that many sports activities had been halted since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country: “Thus, this tournament will help these young people to regain and strengthen their immune system to fight against the virus. You know, engaging more teenage girls, and young adult women in such a tournament is important to fight inequality in the country”.
“Today will be the final of the tournament. Of the male teams, ENVAC and TLYFP are competing for first place, while Rotarac and ECC for third place. Besides, for the female teams, PFN versus TLYFP for first place, while Girls Alliance and Rotarac will be competing for third place,” Soares affirmed.
In addition, Andreia Daniela Leite, a player of the Girls Alliance team called on girls and young adult women across the country to express themselves in any type of activities, including sport.
“As girls and young adult women we need to show the world that we can do it. A girl can do anything she wants. Strong girls today, powerful women tomorrow,” added Leite.
Girls Alliance was established by Plan International Timor-Leste, on july 16, 2018, with the aim to empower girls as agents of change.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
