First World Cup In The Middle East: What Makes It Tick?

As the world awaits the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November. Women in sports like me, spectators, and fans will be excited to watch the first men’s world cup to have three female referees officiate.

The FIFA World Cup trophy is on a two-day tour in Kenya, from May 26 to 27 through its partners Coca-Cola. The former Brazil defender Juliano Belletti is the FIFA World Cup trophy tour ambassador.

President Uhuru Kenyatta received the FIFA World Cup trophy Thursday morning at State House, Nairobi. The famous trophy is made of 18-carat gold, weighing 6.175kg.

Kenyans will have the opportunity to view the trophy, which will be hosted at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) for public viewing.

Under the leadership of President Gianni Infantino, football has had some breakthroughs for gender equality, with efforts to break bias in the sports industry being received widely.

On 13^th May 2016 Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura a Senegalese former diplomat and senior executive, was appointed as the first female Secretary-General of FIFA.

On 19^th May 2022 FIFA announced that three female referees namely Stéphanie Frappart of France, Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda, and Yoshimi Yamashita of Japan, will be officiating at the men’s world cup.

Neuza Back of Brazil, Karen Díaz Medina of Mexico, and Kathryn Nesbitt of the United States were also not left behind as will joined them as assistant referees.

Kenya has not been left behind in breaking bias, On the 27^th of March 2022, Kenya held the first-ever all-female motor rally named the ‘Lioness Rally’ at the Kasarani Super Spectator Stage in Nairobi.

It had eight all-female teams, the officials and the Marshalls were all females, with a few lions to assist. Lisa Christoffersen was the brains behind the event.

Women like Michele Mouton, the current President of FIA Women in Motorsports Commission, continue to work effortlessly to create more opportunities for women with Programs like FIA Girls on Track- Rising Star. Come this June WRC Safari Rally will entertain and Maxine Wahome a female driver will be behind the wheel.

In today’s world where women in sports leadership are creating more opportunities for women. We have seen CS Amina Mohammed- Ministry of Sports Culture and Heritage challenge gender stereotypes and create safe spaces that are more inclusive.

It is through collective efforts of women all around the world, that women are finding inspiration and faithfully taking the mantle of being the first of many.  The weight of being the first of many is heavy, however, women breaking barriers in sports will win.