Abuja: In recent years, women’s sports in Africa have experienced remarkable growth. Female athletes are stepping into the spotlight, challenging traditional perceptions about what women can achieve. From football fields to running tracks, African women continue to demonstrate resilience and skill. They compete fiercely while inspiring countless others with their determination and courage. This article explores the significant impact women’s sports are having across the continent.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, across Africa, women’s sports are attracting increasing attention and support. Stadiums are filling with enthusiastic crowds, social media platforms are alive with discussion, and fans eagerly follow their favorite athletes and teams. This surge of interest is reflected in many ways, including how sports enthusiasts search for trending topics such as ‘What is the Betano promo code in 2025?’ – highlighting just how engaged and connected today’s fans are with the sports landscape.
Supporting this trend, a 2021 report by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) revealed that female athlete participation at the African Games grew from 32% in 2007 to 41% in 2019. This steady rise signals wider acceptance and encouragement for women competing at all levels.
Some women athletes are making big marks in history: Tobi Amusan from Nigeria became the first African woman to win a World Championship gold in the 100m hurdles in 2022, setting a world record of 12.12 seconds. Marie-Jos©e Ta Lou of Ivory Coast has won many African titles and reached the Olympic finals in sprints, with a best time in the 100m of 10.72 seconds, placing her among the fastest ever. Feryal Abdelaziz from Egypt earned an Olympic medal in weightlifting, becoming the first African woman to do so in that sport. Beyond track and field, more women are succeeding in football, basketball, and long-distance running.
African women’s football is booming, with the Super Falcons of Nigeria winning the 2023 African Women’s Cup of Nations, showcasing their strength and lifting support for women’s football. In long distances, Hellen Obiri from Kenya won gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships, demonstrating the discipline of African women runners. In other sports, a Namibian boxer became the first African woman lightweight world champion, showing that women can excel even in tough sports like boxing.
These successes are about more than medals; they create role models. When girls see athletes like these winning, they believe they can, too. Women are also taking on bigger roles behind the scenes, with some holding coaching jobs, leadership positions in sports groups, and roles in sports media, helping sports become fairer and more open for girls.
Despite the progress, women in African sports still face significant challenges. Women’s teams often receive less funding than men’s teams, resulting in fewer good facilities, lower pay, and fewer growth opportunities. Cultural barriers persist in some communities, where sports are still viewed as male-only pursuits, hindering many from training or competing. Many female athletes lack proper training facilities and often practice in substandard conditions. Men’s sports continue to dominate media coverage, leaving women’s sports with less support from fans and sponsors.
However, the future of sports in Africa looks brighter. Female athletes are receiving more support from schools, families, and governments. With this public backing, aspiring women athletes will have access to more tournaments, coverage, and opportunities. The rise of women in African sports is about breaking boundaries, creating new aspirations, and paving the way for future generations.