exhibition
Dream Team

Navina Omilade


Navina Omilade played with special permission for boys' teams at Rot-Weiss Hochstein even as high as the under-15s. “Up till then I didn't even know women's football existed”, explained the sports student in October 2005.

 

Omilade recommends that girls play in boys' teams for as long as possible and make use of their spare time, too: "You can learn much more when you're together“, she says. This is how Omilade established herself as a footballer. She made her Bundesliga debut for Brauweiler at the age of 16, won the German league, the German cup, the UEFA Cup, the European Championship twice and even the World Cup.

The Turbine Potsdam player has not experienced any discrimination herself, but has certainly heard about it from her father. She is also aware of the problem amongst fans in men's football. "Unfortunately racism is still a problem around the world and you can never do enough to combat this. I personally stand up against racism and in favour of tolerance." She now wants to get even more involved: "I recently took part in some events organised by the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network.

These dealt with the prejudice in football facing women who come from other countries or have different coloured skin or a different religion, for example.“ She admits her good performances may have made it easier for her. But Omilade has never forgotten that it is often difficult to be a woman and the child of immigrants. Following an event organised by FARE she invited the girl's team from Türkiyemspor in Berlin, who play at a much lower level, to visit Turbine Potsdam.