Sports
Visa to Support Women-Owned Businesses at FIFA Women’s World Cup
By Adedapo Adesanya
Global payment service giant, Visa, will celebrate the numbers, and the stories behind them throughout this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, scheduled to start later this month in Australia and New Zealand.
Visa, a FIFA Women’s Football Partner, announced a first-ever extension of the coveted Visa Player of the Match athlete award to support women-owned small businesses (WSMB) with $500,000 in total grant funding across the 64 matches and potentially 32 qualifying countries.
Speaking on this milestone, Mr Andrew Uaboi, Vice President and Head of Visa West Africa, said, “Visa understands equity requires action and resources. We’re excited to use the world’s biggest stage for women’s sports to put the power for change into the athlete’s performance – and uplift a business in the home country of each game’s Player of the Match.”
“Nigeria is one of the leading African countries with the highest number of female entrepreneurs. We are passionate about using this initiative to create a positive impact on society, in addition to advancing the growth of women-owned small businesses in our region. We also see this as an opportunity to inspire young girls to dream big and pursue their passion for the beautiful game,” he added.
The Visa Player of the Match trophy is awarded at each of the 64 matches to the player who fans vote to be the most outstanding of the match. At this year’s tournament, which is scheduled to start on July 20 through August 20, audiences watching at home will once again have the opportunity to celebrate the women on the pitch and for the first time, help elevate women in business at the same time.
Building up to the final match, Visa will award 64 grants to women small businesses from the same country as the national team represented by the winning footballer.
This means if a player from first-time entrant Panama or a veteran from the defending champion United States team wins the player of the match, a woman small business owner in her country will receive a grant to help towards her own goals.
In Nigeria’s case, if Barcelona forward, Asisat Oshaola, wins any of the awards, a woman’s business owner in the country will be rewarded.
The funding ranges in value from $5,000 for the 48 first-round matches up to $50,000 for the final. The winning small businesses will be announced live at the athlete trophy presentation.
This initiative stems from Visa’s multi-year commitment to helping women entrepreneurs access crucial financial resources and empower inclusion in the global economy, noting that supporting women in sports is important for future business success.
Visa noted that it is committed to empowering women across its organization and through its brand support. For more than 15 years, Visa’s investment in women’s football has advocated for equity, inclusion, and creating meaningful connections with athletes, fans, and communities around the world.
Visa is the first FIFA Women’s Football Partner, the first standalone sponsor of UEFA Women’s Football, and a sponsor of national teams, including the US Soccer Federation and Mexican Football Federation.
In the host countries of Australia and New Zealand, Visa’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 tells the story behind the FIFA Women’s World Cup athletes, honouring and spotlighting their own numbers and journey.
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By Dipo Olowookere
Manchester United centre-back, Harry Maguire, has signed a new contract with the football club for an additional year.
He will remain at the Theatre of Dreams until June 2027, with the option for a further year, a statement from the Red Devil said.
“Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes me and my family proud every single day.
“I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.
“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see, and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us,” the club’s former captain stated.
“Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.
“Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success,” the Director of Football at Manchester United, Mr Jason Wilcox, was quoted as saying in the statement.
The Three Lions defender has made 266 appearances and won the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup since joining the club in 2019.
European club football enters its decisive quarter-final phase in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. With semi-final places on the line, the first-leg fixtures promise high-intensity clashes. All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport, available on DStv and GOtv.
Champions League: Heavyweights Collide
At 8:00 PM, Real Madrid host Bayern Munich in the standout tie of the round. Both sides were emphatic in the previous stage, with Madrid dismantling Manchester City and Bayern delivering a dominant performance against Atalanta. The match airs live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).
Madrid arrive off a disappointing domestic setback, while Bayern continue to show resilience and attacking firepower. The Bernabéu will be central to Madrid’s hopes against a side currently scoring with ease.
Also at 8:00 PM, Sporting Lisbon face Arsenal in Lisbon, live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). Arsenal come into the tie under pressure following consecutive cup losses in the Carabao and FA Cups, while Sporting are full of confidence after an impressive run of form. With momentum firmly on the Portuguese side, this fixture presents a significant test of Arsenal’s mentality.
At 8:00 PM on Wednesday, Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid in what promises to be a tightly contested tactical encounter. The game will be shown live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Barcelona claimed a recent league victory between the sides, but Atletico have already proven their ability to disrupt them this season. Expect a high-stakes contest between two teams who know each other well.
Also at 8:00 PM, Paris Saint-Germain take on Liverpool in Paris, live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). PSG have emerged as one of the competition’s most dominant sides, carrying strong momentum into the tie. Liverpool, meanwhile, arrive under pressure following a heavy domestic defeat and will need a significant improvement to remain competitive heading into the second leg.
Europa & Conference League: Thursday Night Stakes
While the Champions League dominates midweek headlines, Thursday brings its own high-stakes quarter-final action across the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
In the Europa League, Bologna host Aston Villa in a compelling first-leg encounter, live on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204) at 8:00 PM, . Aston Villa have impressed throughout the competition and arrive well-rested, while Bologna’s path to this stage has been defined by resilience and high-intensity performances. The contrast in preparation could shape the outcome.
Also at 8:00 PM, FC Porto face Nottingham Forest, with the match airing on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Porto will look to assert themselves at home after previous meetings between the sides, while Forest have already demonstrated their ability to navigate difficult knockout ties.
For the Conference League, Crystal Palace take on Fiorentina at Selhurst Park, live on SS Football (GOtv Ch. 61, DStv Ch. 205) at 8:00 PM. Palace continue their pursuit of European silverware against a Fiorentina side balancing continental ambition with inconsistent domestic form. The hosts will aim to build a first-leg advantage before the return fixture in Italy.
Quarter-Final Fixtures – First Legs
UEFA Champions League
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Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich – Tue, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
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Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal – Tue, 8:00 PM (SS Football Plus HD)
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Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid – Wed, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
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Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool – Wed, 8:00 PM (SS Football Plus HD)
UEFA Europa League
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Bologna vs Aston Villa – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS La Liga)
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FC Porto vs Nottingham Forest – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
UEFA Conference League
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Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS Football)
Follow the Action
Catch all the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League action live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Matches are also available to stream via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Manage or upgrade your subscription via the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps, visit www.dstv.com or www.gotvafrica.com, or dial *288# to stay connected.
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