PERUIBE, Brazil: Womens, Guaciane da Silva Gomes, an Indigenous Brazilian leader who lives in the secluded town of Tapirema in southern Sao Paulo state, is a world apart from this year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. On the other hand, she and her teammates can still fantasize about it.
Gomes and her Indigenous and non-Indigenous friends play football on a dirt pitch between a lake and palm trees in Peruibe, 138 kilometers (86 miles) south of Sao Paulo. When she discovers that just a few other female players are available, she joins the males and works just as hard to keep her passion alive. A passion she expects will develop as the Women’s World Cup approaches.
“I will find the time and place to watch, learn some techniques, and watch the best of the best,” Gomes said after competing in Peru’s first Indigenous Games last weekend. “What they do there inspires us here as well.” We’re all looking for attention.”
Indigenous women in Brazil frequently lead their towns and groups, yet they were looked down on for many years when they attempted to play football. As the South American country strengthens its infrastructure for female athletes, Indigenous women say they are encouraged to participate. They have done so across the country, including in the heart of the Amazon, where Hiwi FC and its five Indigenous female players are based.
Gomes and her Peruvian teammates hope that Brazil will host the next Women’s World Cup in 2027 so that they may either compete or watch matches live. Suri Jará, a teenage midfielder, is a young Indigenous woman who wishes to play at home.
Being a professional football player would be excellent, as would archery and wrestling’, Jurá told The Associated Press after a match at the Indigenous Games. “We need more structure to stand a chance.” We generally play in a nice atmosphere here because there are no huge clubs nearby, and it isn’t easy to play in the city and then return. We can still dream.”
Indigenous women in Brazil frequently lead their towns and groups.
Santos, the closest top-flight club from Peruibe, is roughly 80 km (50 miles) away. Santos, the former home of football legend Pele, has a professional women’s football team, but scouts rarely hunt for female talent too far from the club’s headquarters.
Many Indigenous Brazilian women living in isolated areas with uncommon satellite television will need help to watch the Women’s World Cup. Internet access is easier, and many people in the area will watch matches on their phones.
When technology is no longer an issue, many young Indigenous women will likely have children to care for. In most locations, the group’s culture preaches that women above ten are already adults, often leading to early marriages and pregnancies, diminishing their participation possibilities.
Dora Dina, a Tapirema village elder, noted on the sidelines of a football match that it was much more difficult for women to participate in sports when she was younger.
“I would never dream of doing something like this. “Now our girls have some new dreams, and football is one of them,” Dina remarked as players wandered about the pitch. “I can’t say whether one of them will ever be a professional at this, but what matters now is that they can have fun doing it.” Many ladies would never have been able to enjoy it as much as they do now.”
Outside of the community, a group of indigenous women has thrived in Sao Paulo. The Xondarias Guarani team was formed in January 2019 after the merger of two provincial clubs. They compete in local indoor football events and train twice a week, hoping that a scout may see them one day.
Vanessa Fernandes dos Santos is one of those hoping to hear from a club. Dos Santos, 19, plays on the right flank and idolizes Brazil’s Marta, who may play in her final Women’s World Cup at 37 this year. Dos Santos denies it, but her teammates believe she aspires to be the next Brazilian football queen.
Outside of the community, a group of indigenous women has thrived in Sao Paulo.
“It’s nice to feel important to the team.” That’s why I aspire to be a professional, a bashful dos Santos remarked following an indoor football match in Jaragua, near her village. “I’m delighted both boys and girls want to see us play. I know it wasn’t always like this.”
Jacileide Martins, a Xondarias Guarani custodian, will watch the Women’s World Cup from her hamlet north of Sao Paulo. She no longer expects to be a professional, a desire she had for many years, but she has a Plan B.
“I want to see a Guarani woman play for a big club and, maybe, for the national team,” Martins, 32, said. “We’re closer now than when I first started playing.”
SOURCE – (AP)
