Pretoria-The world is still looking at South Africa following the country's successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup says President Jacob Zuma.
Speaking at the CAF African Women Championship gala dinner at the Cradle of Humankind in Maropeng, Zuma said South Africa was gripped by football fever during the FIFA World Cup.
"The African continent and the world are looking to see what else can come out of Africa in the aftermath of the World Cup. The colour, glory and excitement that accompanied the tournament will stay in our memories for many years to come," he said.
With South Africa hosting the 7th edition of the CAF African Women Championship tournament, Zuma said: "Let us make this the best African Women's Championship ever. Let us show them our country and our continent are at their best once again."
The African women's tournament kicks-off with a Group A match between host, Banyana Banyana and Tanzania at Daveyton's Sinaba stadium on Sunday and heralds the start of a tournament which will see the eight participating teams compete for continental glory.
The eight teams competing Banyana Banyana, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, Mali, Cameroon, Algeria and the defending champions, Equatorial Guinea.
The tournament to be played within the area of jurisdiction of Ekurhuleni Municipality will run until 14 November and the two teams that will reach the finals will represent the continent in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.
"They have our unwavering support as the South African government and the South African people. The tournament is a special occasion, as it is a celebration of the progress of women's football on the African continent.
"This is more so given that the African Women's Championship is the qualifying tournament for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup," he said.
He said the eight teams will demonstrate that women are proficient soccer players and that they can capture the imagination of both male and female fans.
If promoted effectively, Zuma said the tournament will help South Africa highlight the concept of women's soccer, and eradicate the stereotype that football is a male sport.
He also urged South Africans and soccer fans from all over the continent to support the women's tournament.
"We urge South Africans and fans from all over the continent to support the tournament. We must do this because we love football, but also because of the important social transformation aspects of the CAF tournament," he said.
He further highlighted the need to ensure that women's soccer is elevated to the level where it can also attract sponsorships from the business community.
"It is well-known that men's soccer teams normally receive all the accolades, recognition and sponsorships, while the women's teams soldier on quietly.
"Women's teams all over the world have been fighting quietly for recognition from the public, sponsors and from their male counterparts. And they deserve such recognition," he said.
