How Does Being A Woman Hinder My Understanding of The Game of Football?

After registering my name at the entrance, I am directed into the main hall of the seminar. There’s just some background music and many young people facing their phones. Until there’s an announcement from the speakers: ‘We do not want to see anyone sitting. Everyone must proceed to the gallery behind. There are drinks there. You must begin or join a conversation with someone beside you.’

As I stood, studying everyone to know who to approach, a nicely dressed man walks up to me. I’ll call him F. ‘Hello!’

‘Hello. Nice to meet you. I am Blessing. What’s your name?’

‘Nice to meet you too. Name’s F.'

‘Oh, hey, F. Thanks for rescuing me. Starting a conversation with a stranger is hard work for me. I…’

‘Why’s that? Have you tried to find out the origin of such behavior? Maybe something triggered it in your childhood? Have you thought about that?’

‘Hey, slow down. It’s not that deep. I just prefer to be on the sidelines and observe. It’s not like I lack words during a conversation.’ I…

‘Are you sure? Won’t you like to go for therapy to understand what triggered this behavior?’ ‘Therapy is essential. Even in football, the players have to talk to therapists, especially when they lose an important game, so it does not affect their psyche in the future. But, you’re a woman — you do not understand the game of football. Let me use another example.’

At this time, I have lost all willpower for a comeback. Because if you are this small-minded and stereotypical, I want no part of it.

I wonder how having a vagina limits my understanding of the universal language of goal. Of off-side positions. Of bicycle kicks. Of volleys. Of the concept of center-backs and wingers. And a false nine and a midfielder. Of the joy of watching the Super Eagles win the Olympics in '96. Of the pain of watching Tottenham throw the Champions League away to Liverpool.

Or is it the breasts that impede my ability to understand the game of soccer?

But, we have that in common.

Understanding anything is not subject to one’s sexuality or gender. Be it a sport, an activity, a game, a subject. Anything.

I do not enjoy wrestling but have a female friend who is a diehard wrestling fan. She understands all the terminologies involved. I do not care for mathematics does not equal every woman not caring for it. I have a male friend who loves beauty products and is an expert in telling you what products work best with their skin tone. This also does not equal every man loving beauty products.

And, for Pete’s sake, women have been playing football for as long as men have. Until men of the 1920s decided that it was unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged. Then, they banned women from playing the game for public spectacle in 1921. Until 1971. It will take another 37 years to get an apology for the unscrupulous ban.

This ban may have set women back in the grand scheme of things. In terms of fewer eyes on our female footballers, less recognition. But, it did not hinder our growth.

Women like Stephanie Frappart and Sian Massey-Ellis, Alex Scott and Jacqui Oatley, Asisat Oshoala, and Alex Morgan are making history for women in football. I could go on, but it will mean that I am defensive because of your uncouth comment. I am not.

Women should never have to explain themselves for liking things that are perceived as manly. Activities should never be divided into male and female; gay and straight.

Every person should be allowed to enjoy any activity of their choosing. It should never be predetermined by the reproductive organs they came into the world in.