4 May 2017
Opportunity, equality and respect. Nothing more, nothing less.
Retired US international midfielder Lori Lindsey climbed up the ladder to play professional football – and is now the latest star to join a group of female players from around the world to attempt a football world record.
The Equal Playing Field initiative is seeking to set a world record for the highest altitude football game ever played - up Mt Kilimanjaro!
Women's sport remains under-represented, under-supported and undervalued. In many cultures, women are forbidden from playing sport at all.
Equal Playing Field are committed to challenging these norms and between 17 – 27 June 2017 players from around 20 countries will be aiming to climb new heights by playing on a pitch 2km above the highest stadium in the world.
Midfielder Lori, capped 31 times by the US, will join a glittering cast of women’s footballing talent to take part in the World Record attempt, including former German star Petra Landers, ex Mexico captain Monica Gonzalez, Egyptian Player of the Year 2011 Esraa Awaad, former Fulham star and Bahrain national Deena Rahman, South African record goal scorer Portia Modise, Canada’s Sasha Andrews, Zahra Mahmoodi and Hajar Abufazl from Afghantistan plus French duo Sandrine Dusang and Julie Soyer.
They are still seeking an England national to join the squad as well.
Pro players and competitive amateurs from Argentina, France, Indonesia, Jordan, Sweden, Nepal, Lebanon, the UK, US and the United Arab Emirates are also taking part.
Lori, who featured in the 2011 FIFA World Cup and was part of the London 2012 Olympic's gold medal winning squad, explained: “I have been afforded some amazing opportunities through football but even as I climbed up the ladder to professional football – one thing was clear; the playing field for women in sport is not equal
“The 2015 World Cup highlighted some of the drastic inequalities in some countries between their men’s and women’s teams and we need to help them. I hope to play a vital role in this.
“Football taught me many things; I’ve learned dedication, heartbreak, how to be a team player, the power of persistence, hard work, that change is constant. Most importantly I have learned to believe in myself. Climbing up this mountain allows me to continue to play an important role in raising awareness and end this inequality."
Following the trek Equal Playing Field will run a week of global football training clinics for girls and women.
To support the Equal Playing Field squad break a world record and inspire new generations visit www.startsomegood/equalplayingfield
To find out more about the challenge go to www.equalplayingfield.com
Take a look at their video below:
Share this article