Malanje — The governor of Angola's northern Malanje province, Cristóvão da Cunha, said Saturday here that the Cup of the Confederation of Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa) contributes to the union of the peoples of the region.

The official said so while kicking off the fifth edition of Cosafa's football tournament for women taking place as from Saturday in Malanje and Benguela cities, under the theme "No violence against woman".

According to him, the sport, besides serving as leisure, contributes to strengthen relations among countries and peoples.

Cristóvão da Cunha said the choice of Malanje to host group (A), as well as the finals of the competition makes inhabitants of the province happy and proud.

He expressed the conviction that these matches will encourage a lot of youths to play football, adding that the provincial officials of the sport will redouble their efforts in order to increase the number of female football teams.

The governor also announced that the government of Malanje will continue to make effort to recover the various sport infrastructures of the province because sport contributes for individual psycho-motor development and occupation of people's free time.