Women’s team formed to prevent ‘child marriages’ storms in league

A women's football team established in the eastern province of Ağrı by the provincial directorate of family and social policies to promote sports among girls and prevent early marriages has become a regional giant with four wins in five matches this season.

The "Ağrı Women's Team," formed six years ago with a motto of "Let girls wear football jerseys rather than bridal gowns," is not sitting at the top of the N Group of the Turkish Women's Third League.

The team's 20 players, aged between 14 and 18, who are eyeing being promoted to Second League this year, dream that "one day they will be playing in Turkish Women's Süper Lig."

"We have come a long way in football in Ağrı, a place where once parents did not send girls to schools. Now a women's team is all-victorious leader," Cemil Budak, the head of the Sports Department of the provincial directorate of family and social policies, told Demirören News Agency.

Citing the project's motto, Budak reminded, "We offered sports to the city's girls, not bridal dresses. We succeeded."

Expressing his happiness, the local official thanked all those who had had any part in this success.

"We are demolishing a prejudice of 'Women can't play football.' I am realizing my dream," Ayça Taşdemir, a 17-year-old striker of the team, said proudly.

Continuing her education in a sports high school, Taşdemir made a call to all the girls across the country. "Love sports. Love football more."

She is elated to be a part of the team, but her mother is more proud than her. "I am a housewife. I oppose early marriages. and I support my daughter who is playing football," Zinnet Taşdemir said happily.

"I want her to graduate and play football. I can not stand against her will. I want a...