Pearlpia Ladies crowned champions at Maxwell Woledzi’s Muslim Hijab Project Tournament

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting inclusivity and empowering Muslim young girls in sports, Ghanaian defender Maxwell Woledzi successfully organized the Muslim Hijab Project Tournament on Thursday, June 22.

The tournament, held in Tamale, showcased the talent and determination of eight selected women’s teams, with Pearlpia Ladies emerging as the victors in the first edition.

Collaborating with Black Stars assistant coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani and receiving support from the Northern Regional Football Association, Woledzi’s efforts were fueled by the desire to encourage Muslim girls to participate in football while still adhering to their Islamic religious values, particularly the practice of wearing the veil or headscarf.

The highlight of the tournament was the distribution of head coverings to all the participating players, symbolizing the fusion of faith and sport.

Pearlpia Ladies, who displayed exceptional teamwork, were rewarded for their efforts with a giant trophy as they clinched the title.

The Northern Regional Football Association, recognizing the significance of this event, provided generous support by contributing 10 cartons of drinking water and 1000 Ghana Cedis.

Additionally, the President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku, made an appearance at the tournament to express his support and share encouraging words with the participating teams.

This tournament marks a significant milestone in Woledzi’s ongoing efforts to create opportunities for Muslim women in football.

Since 2019, he has organized similar tournaments in his native Nima, with one notable success story being Sadat Anatu, who became the first woman to wear a head covering in a Ghana Women’s Premier League game, thanks to the platform provided by Woledzi’s initiatives.