April 2, 2022 Hala Hotel &Aqua Park, Bissau, Guinea Bissau
The Sociedade Desportiva da Guiné-Bissau (S.D.G.B) girls’ futbol team made a surprise visit to the Hala Hotel & Aqua Park where the Interim President of the Federação de Natação da Guiné-Bissau (Guinea Bissau Swimming Feseration), Siphiwe Baleka is training to compete in the African Swimming Federation Zone 2 Championships in Dakar, Senegal May 27-29.
Mr. Baleka visited the girls futbol team on January 16 to give them a motivational speech to start the new season. Last year, their first as a team, they lost the championship game in what was generally perceived to be unfair circumstances. Since Mr. Baleka’s motivational speech, he has served as the team’s patron and they have been on a winning streak. The team wanted to return the support and came to celebrate Mr. Baleka’s upcoming 51st birthday (April 14) and encourage his training.
The S.D.G.B girls team has now qualified for the next round of the championships and are waiting the results of this weekend’s games to see who they will play.
“We will most likely play in Bafata,” said Sana Nharo, the team’s coach. “We will need transportation and overnight accommodations. Without sponsorship like the big teams who are sponsored by Benéfica and others, this becomes difficult for us.”
Coach Sana explained that before receiving support from Mr. Baleka, the girls felt dehumanised. They had to show up to the games without proper uniforms and equipment. Sometimes they couldn’t pay for the transportation all the way to the playing field and they would have to walk. When the team can’t afford accommodations, they have to resort to tents. Because of the fundraising this year and the support of a lot of people in the United States, the girls have new uniforms, including socks and their morale is much better.
“They deserve to win the championship,” according to Coach Sana. “They just need the support that ‘big’ teams get.”
Siphiwe Baleka talks to Team S.D.G.B
Mr. Baleka wants to raise another $300 so that the girls can travel to the next game in a proper bus and get a good night’s sleep at a proper hotel. If you can, please donate to the GoFundMe campaign to support these girls in Guinea Bissãu.
