Dar Es Salaam — THE society has been challenged to change its perception about women football and support the sport by allowing girls with an opportunity to play the game.

The call was made by the visiting FIFA consultant in women football, Monika Saab. The world soccer governing body's envoy is in the country to observe the state of the sport and put her suggestions on how the game could be developed.

Saab's tour of Tanzania is part of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the world's football governing body efforts to popularize the sport in the country.

She said: "Tanzanians must cast off wrong perception about women football because women football can be very nice and very attractive, and Tanzania can have the same success story in the future.

Saad conducted a two-day seminar attended by regional women football administrators. Yesterday morning, she conducted a practical training involving coaches and school girls, which took place at Karume Memorial Stadium.

"I saw the girls playing (during training), they enjoyed it is good to give them opportunity. They want to play but there are no games," the German said and added;

"There is nothing wrong to play football, and not only men are allowed to play football."

She said; "Women football has to be accepted in the society, parents need to allow their children to play, women football should be played in schools, because that's where you can produce more quality players who can play for the national team in the future.

"Women football continue to grow with more players competing in affiliated competition than any other team sport, and it is played at very highest level nowadays."

Saad displayed video clips showing the world women footballer of the year Martha of Brazil displaying her skills.

She cited nations such as Nigeria and South Africa who have developed their game, and suggested that Tanzanians can get there but said, they need time and investment in women football.

"It will take some time, because it's a process, it doesn't happen over night, Germany spent over 35 years to win world cup.

You must build a long tradition of playing women football, because it needs a lot of improvement and a lot of support to get to the top level."