Barriers leave Venezuelan women's football 'very far behind' regional peers

Venezuelan women's football lags far behind its South American counterparts, struggling with a host of systemic issues that have persisted for years, according to national team star Deyna Castellanos.

Castellanos recently stated that Venezuela is "very far behind" when asked about the current state of the sport. Players consistently face precarious conditions, including unreliable transportation, inadequate lodging, and a lack of maintenance for facilities. These issues have plagued the sport for at least the last five years.

Fabrizio Cuzzola, a journalist for Reporte Femenino, highlighted specific examples. He recounted an incident in 2022 where the women's team from Bolívar SC experienced transport breakdowns and were not guaranteed accommodation or meals for an away match, forcing players to arrange their own lodging. Cuzzola also described matches played on fields lacking proper seating, with spectators watching from surrounding walls, and a move from natural grass to a smaller synthetic field with dangerously close boundaries.

In June, the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) announced a comprehensive development plan for women's football, focusing on mass participation, national competition, professional training, and elite teams. The plan aims to professionalize the Liga Futve Femenina through a club licensing system, with a minimum of eight clubs envisioned. While Cuzzola finds the plan "very interesting," he cautions that it is in its early stages and cannot yet compare to established leagues in Colombia, England, or Spain. He stressed the need for dedicated individuals solely focused on women's football to drive progress.

Another critical issue is match scheduling. Cuzzola noted that many Liga Futve Femenina games are played early in the morning, around 9:00 or 10:00 am. He argued that such times, especially in cities like Puerto Cabello or Maracaibo, do not protect players and can diminish talent. While some afternoon games have been scheduled recently, the overall conditions remain a significant barrier to the sport's growth.