Footballers Union of Botswana (FUB) signed an international agreement that aims to fully integrate women in sport.

At FUB’s recent congress, outgoing president Mmono Segopolo, signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration on Women and Sport, which seeks “to develop a sporting culture that enables and values the full involvement of women in every aspect of sport and physical activity”. In total 472 organisations worldwide officially endorse this declaration.

Segopolo explained the consequences of FUB's signature: “As an organization, we are going to develop policies and programmes and design structures which increase the number of women coaches, advisers, decision makers, officials, administrators, and sports personnel at all levels.”

The union has been accepting women footballers as members for more than a year. The women’s football league in Botswana, often played on primary school fields, was suspended in February because of financial difficulties.

Speaking at FUB’s congress, International Working Group on Women and Sport secretary general, Game Mothibi, encouraged the union to promote women’s rights and girls' involvement in sport as a contribution to public life, community development and in building healthy nations.

She hopes the union will help ensure that all women and girls have an opportunity to participate in sport in a safe and supportive environment.

From FIFPro