TO be fair I haven’t heard much about the Youth Olympics in Argentina. I know that Scottish Women in Sport (SW/S) trustee and sports journalist Alison Walker, was out covering golf there and that George Adderley, one of our top youth squash players, was participating in an exhibition match.
One thing that did hit my desk was an article about the controversy over the kit that the young female beach volleyball players have to wear – stirred up by the fans who felt that the young girls were victims of sexual exploitation. Looking at the accompanying picture you could have been forgiven for thinking that you were looking at a bunch of young girls hanging out on Copacabana Beach. Skimpy bikinis cut high over the buttocks was the regulation outfit – and the question asked was why?
The regulations from the international body responsible for the rules in beach volleyball state that, “women athletes must wear bikini bottoms with a close fit and cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg”. The side width must be of a maximum of 10cm while, according to the IHF equipment regulations, beach handball male players are obliged to wear tank tops and shorts which “can be longer but must remain 10cm above the kneecap”. The interpretation of this rule by some countries is, at the least, questionable.
Back in 2004 in Greece, carrying out my role of head of delegation with the Scottish FA, I discovered more than a dozen missed calls – the majority from journalist who wanted my opinion on a then Fifa chief Sepp Blatter’s comment that to increase interest in the game women should have skimpier kit. What a relief that it didn’t gain any gravitas.
On the other hand, news from Uefa this week gladdens the heart as they have recognised the amazing growth in the market for girls and women in football and are keen to ensure this continues. They have taken the decision to approve a 50% increase in funding to associations to further support development projects across Europe. A good decision from an international body that understands young girls and backs up research with funding.
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