Girl Power Sports Diplomacy Program Gains Momentum

According to the United Nations, when girls participate in sports they are more likely to attend school and participate in society. On Thursday the US Embassy kicked off their Girl Power Sports Diplomacy Program with U.S. Sports Envoy and Professional Women’s Soccer Player, Joanna Lohman.

Joanna is a U.S. professional soccer player in Botswana at the invitation of US Embassy to host soccer clinics with young girls ages 12-16. They are focusing on building self-esteem and self-confidence while also expanding their soccer skills and understanding of the possibilities for women in sports. They are also partnering with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture for this program.

On Friday the team was in Maun, and the Girl Power Sports Diplomacy Program with Joanna Lohman continued in Gaborone yesterday with 15 young girls from Old Naledi location. The girls were thrilled to be joined by Ambassador Miller, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Thapelo Olopeng at Lekidi Football Center. UNICEF Botswana Representative, Julianna Lindsey, joined them to highlight Ambassador Miller’s participation in the UNICEF “50 minutes for children” campaign