Many people probably did not know that exactly two days after the conclusion of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup was kicking- off in Bochum, Germany, one of four venues for this 5th FIFA event. The other venues include Bielefeld, Augsburg and Dresden. The event that closes with a final match on Sunday 1 August 2010 has attracted 16 countries, including three from Asia, five from Europe, three from North and Central America, one from Oceania, two from South America and with Africa represented by Ghana and Nigeria.
Sports Runway is informed that the competition has been in existence since 2002 when the first edition of the competition was held in Canada, followed by another in Thailand in 2004, Russia in 2006 with the 2008 edition in Chile.
Although there has been a general growth in the women’s game in Africa, participation of our countries in this event has been limited to only three countries, namely Nigeria who have qualified and participated in all the five events thus far, Ghana and Congo DR, which calls to question Africa’s commitment to the overall development of the women’s game on the continent. Whilst Ghana is participating for the first time in this competition, Congo DR accompanied Nigeria in the 2006 and 2008 events; Nigeria was the only African country to take part in this competition in the first two events.
The champions and runners-up of this event represent some of the very big names in the women’s game. Whilst the USA won the event in 2002 and 2006, Germany won the second edition in 2004, with Korea DPR winning the 2008 edition in Russia. It is noteworthy that China PR, another giant of women’s football came out runners-up in 2004 and 2006.
Interestingly, the five time FIFA World Cup champions, Brazil only managed fourth place finishes in 2002 and 2004, the latter year when their lady football sensation Marta broke into the international scene and winning the Adidas Golden Ball.
She now dominates the awards in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Brazil’s best in this competition was a bronze medal in Russia 2006. Sports Runway can confirm that with qualified countries in Groups A & B determined; Germany and Columbia as well as Sweden and Korea DPR are all through to the quarter finals; there is still however, plenty to fight for in Nigeria’s Group C and that of Ghana, Group D. Nigeria is presently tied with Mexico with four points a piece, whilst Japan and England each have one point. The final group games are Japan/England and Nigeria/Mexico leaving the group still open. Ghana meantime has a slim chance, having one point with a game against Switzerland still to be played. Will Africa make another first by winning this event? sportsrunway@yahoo.com