Soccer for Dreamers, GFA hold health clinic
A not-for-profit organisation, Soccer for Dreamers, set up to support aspiring young male and female footballers, has organised its second outreach programme for over 150 players at separate programmes in Accra.
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In collaboration with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Soccer for Dreamers held a menstrual hygiene talk and clinic for female players, while the male players also received a talk on nutrition and diet and football.
The President of Soccer for Dreamers, Slyvia Akwaboah, handled the talk on menstrual hygiene and dietician, while Renee Opare-Otoo was the resource person for the symposium for the boys.
Beneficiaries
Three female teams, Women’s Premier League side, Faith Ladies and two regional sides, Anlo Ladies (Volta Region) and Rootz Sistaz (Eastern Region) were the beneficiaries from women’s football with Powerlines Football Club from Kotobabi, Accra, True Democracy FC from Tema, as well as Strong Tower FC based at Nima, all juvenile teams, represented the males.
After their sessions, the clubs were presented with training jerseys, shin guards, footballs, slightly used boots, solicited for from appeal for donations by Soccer for Dreamers.
Menstrual Cups
Mrs Akwaboah in her presentation, stressed the importance for females not to take menstrual hygiene for granted as poor menstrual hygiene could affect their health and ultimately, their game.
She said due to the high cost of sanitary pads, females resorted to other unhygienic means to manage their menstruation, which created a lot of inconvenience.
As a solution, she introduced the participants to the menstrual cup, a small cup made of silicon which is inserted as tampoon is, and collects the blood. It can be emptied and cleaned and reused immediately and when well taken care of, could last for 10 years.
After her presentation, Mrs Akwaboah presented the 80 female players each with one new menstrual cup.
In the question and answer session, the players wanted to know if the use of the cup would not affect their menstruation in anyway and also if they could share the cups. All their concerns were addressed.
Good nutrition
Ms Opare-Otoo, during the session with the male players, also sensitised them to the need for proper nutrition for optimal development and performance.
She advised them on what to eat at specific times of preparation for matches and on match days, stressing the need to avoid eating heavily a few hours to games, as well as taking in at least eight litres of water every day to keep them hydrated.
She further encouraged them to inculcate fruits and vegetables in their meals.
Some of the beneficiary clubs were grateful for the education and expressed their appreciation to Soccer for Dreamers for the initiative.
GFA
Earlier in a welcome address, the Director of Communications at the GFA, Henry Asante Twum commended Soccer for Dreamers for their decision to collaborate to reach out to young aspiring players.
“The GFA, through the RFAs, is keen to help develop not just the game but the players as well, so we welcome any act or gesture such as the initiative of Soccer for Dreamers that directly inure to the benefit of our young aspiring players,” Mr Twum emphasised.
Soccer for Dreamers
Soccer for Dreamers was co-founded by the Akwaboah Brothers - Baruch, Jed and Kayden, who are Ghanaian teenagers living in the USA.
They play active football and were inspired by the fact that they have been privileged to have all it takes both technically and logistically to realise their dream of playing football. They decided to set up the foundation to support young aspiring footballers.