From FELIX MALUNGA –
In San Jose
Vice-President Guy Scott’s wife, Charlotte, believes Zambia’s participation at the Costa Rica 2014 FIFA Under-17 World Cup competition is a turning point for women’s football.
Scott   has  since  called  for the professionalising of Zambian women football if the local sport is to continue growing.
In an interview after watching the Zambia Under-17 women squad wind up preparations for the World Cup here on Friday, Scott said despite the junior She-polopolo making history by qualifying to the Costa Rica, little attention had been paid towards the growth of the sport.
She said the under-17 squad proved its abilities by qualifying for the 2014 World Cup and were now competing at a high level of global football with 15 other countries here.
With the potential shown by the Zambian lasses, Scott said there was need now for the entire world of women football to be taken serious by all stakeholders.
Scott, who is patron for the Under-17 squad, regretted that women football had received little attention despite the players showing great potential on the international scene.
She said Zambia had talented players but lacked adequate support to realise their full potential.
“This (playing at the World Cup) is a turning point for Zambian football. This is a very high level for football and the future for Zambian women football looks bright.
But we’ve never paid serious attention to women football. The whole world of women football now needs to be taken serious,” she said.
Scott said the prospects for sports scholarships for players also needed to be put in place as the women needed to balance football with school.
Asked on her thoughts after watching the team train at Chicago Scientific ground, Scott, who was accompanied by team Sports Minister, Chishimba Kambwili, said the girls looked confident and positive.
“They did well during the training stint in California (United States of America) and came through with confidence. I am happy to see this general good mood in camp. We are proud of them,” she said.
About the team’s prospects here, Scott said the team can stop when they win the World Cup.
Later, Scott joined the players as they danced and sang at the team’s Double Tree By Hilton Hotel, attracting the attention of several residents at the hotel including rival teams.
In the evening, FIFA hosted a Gala Night for all the 16 participating countries, officially welcoming the teams to the fourth edition of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup finals.