June 4 – Atlanta will host the first of eight World Cup games at the Mercedes Benz Stadium on June 15 when Spain play Cape Verde. Three days earlier Senegal FA president, Abdoulaye Fall, will open the H3R Power Room event in mid-town Atlanta.
The Power Room event is organised by Nichelle Gainey of H3R Story Foundation, a women-led global movement equipping girls with leadership, digital literacy, and narrative power.
“We exist because nearly half of all girls drop out of sport by their teenage years — and yet sport remains one of the most powerful tools we have to unlock economic opportunity and leadership for the next generation,” said Gainey.
“We aren’t scouting for playing talent but we are looking for young women who we can help create life, social and real business opportunities and pathways for themselves and other women like them,” said Gainey.
Women’s football is growing rapidly worldwide but the opportunity isn’t there for every girl to play, never mind the opportunities the game can open up beyond the field of play.
H3R is looking to build programmes that fill that gap.
The Power Room has a heavyweight line-up of speakers including Ambassador Andrew Young , former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and the 55th Mayor of Atlanta. He was co-chair of the1996 Olympic Games.
Also speaking is Renata Simril, president and CEO of LA84 Foundation that has invested more than $300 million in youth sports. She is also an LA28 Olympic Games advisor.
The event is also being supported by football legend George Weah, 1995 FIFA Ballon d’Or Winner and a former FIFA World Player of the Year who is also formerly the president of Liberia.
Thailand’s Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, an IOC Member and Chair, IOC Culture & Olympic Heritage Commission, is also supporting the event. She is the first Thai woman to be elected to the International Olympic Committee.
Legendary athlete Ed Moses, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and campaigner for integrity in sport, will also be in the Power Room.
See also: Her Roots. Her Rhythm. Her Rise. Launch of H3R aims to bridge cultural barriers
For more information on the H3R foundation click here.
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