Filmmaker Fatimah Gimsay has called for greater investment and visibility for women’s sports, stressing that sustained support is essential for athletes to thrive and for the sector to reach its full potential.
Speaking while reflecting on the success of her film Laraba and Balarabe, Gimsay linked her passion for storytelling with her long-standing love for football. She noted that sports, much like film, shape identity, discipline, and community, yet women’s participation continues to face structural neglect despite clear talent and public interest.
Gimsay argued that female athletes are often expected to perform at elite levels without access to the same resources, media attention, or institutional backing afforded to their male counterparts. According to her, this imbalance limits careers, discourages young talent, and slows the overall growth of women’s sports.
Drawing parallels between independent filmmaking and women’s athletics, she said both spaces demand resilience and creativity in the face of limited support. She credited the reception of Laraba and Balarabe as proof that audiences respond when authentic stories are given room to be seen and heard.
For Gimsay, meaningful progress will require deliberate action from sponsors, policymakers, media organizations, and sports bodies. She emphasized that visibility, fair funding, and long-term development programs are not optional but necessary steps.
Her message is clear. When women’s sports are supported with intent and consistency, athletes benefit, audiences grow, and the cultural impact extends far beyond the pitch.
