Football News: Middlesbrough ladies to tour North Korea
While the men’s game makes waves all over the world, ladies football generally takes a back seat and is yet to reach the popularity that ladies tennis enjoys. Most of the women’s sports around the world suffer from a lack of recognition and there is hardly any star value associated with them other than tennis, yet women carry out playing in the right spirit.
English footballers are also vying to make a name for themselves at the international and club levels, as one of the oldest ladies’ football clubs, Middlesbrough, have now decided to expand their avenues and they bid to undertake a tour of one of the most shielded places in the world, North Korea. The Middlesbrough team would travel to the Asian country on a promotional tour where they would brace up against local footballers.
There is excitement in the air as that country opens its doors this week to the leading English ladies football club. The 17-member squad would embark upon their short five-day football and cultural exchange tour on 16th September 2010. The group of 14 players and three coaching staff will spend their time in the capital Pyongyang, where they would play against two North Korean women's teams as well as hold coaching sessions for local players.
Middlesbrough is one of the few clubs to have good relations with North Korea. "Obviously, it's a trip of a lifetime for us, a fantastic opportunity. We've been invited over with the backing of the British Embassy and sponsors from a leading Chinese bank”, said Middlesbrough’s Ladies coach Marrie Wieczorek.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), commonly known as North Korea, is a country shrouded in mystery and has very little contact with the outside world. "Of course, some people were saying it's not the type of place you can just go to and it isn't an open country but through this friendship, culture and sport, all doors are open", Wieczorek added.
Meanwhile, the English players have already been told to expect a cultural shock with their mobile phones likely to be taken away as soon as they land in N. Korea. "I don't really know what to expect but yeah, it should be a good experience overall," said Shannon Bewick.
Tags: