20 days. 16 teams. $6.4million in prize money. The FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Back where it all began in 1991 – the Women’s World Cup comes home to China four years after it was supposed to. In 2003, the SARS scare forced a venue change from China to the USA. No such misfortune this time around as Shanghai, Tianjin, Chengdu and Wuhan prepare to host the first ever Women’s World Cup with prize money. The $6.4m total may be nothing compared to the men’s game, perhaps, but is a big step forward in recognising the increasing seriousness and professionalism of the women’s game.
Next year’s Olympics in Beijing will garner more world attention, but the Olympics will always be successful. This Women’s World Cup is a real test. A real opportunity. With an accompanying UNICEF campaign, “Goals for Girls”, there is much to look forward to and much to aim for.
Let’s see how it goes.
