Annika Sorenstam is an advocate for women’s golf, but she’s adamant about getting girls involved in other sports as well.
In advance of this year’s American Century Championship, which will take place July 10-12 at Edgewood Tahoe and air on NBC and Peacock, she spoke with USA Today Network on the growing girls’ sports scene.
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She commented on the NFL’s commitment to girls’ flag football, noting that teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs are campaigning for more programs.
“I’ve been fortunate to play in a few of these celebrity events,” said Sorenstam, “but the American Century Championship is very special for a lot of reasons. They get such a good field. I’ve been knocking on the door but haven’t been able to finish.”
The Chiefs successfully lobbied for the sanctioning of girls’ high school flag football in Kansas, which included the release of the ‘Let Her Play’ video campaign. The recent vote by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Board officially recognized girls’ flag football as a high school sport in Kansas. Sorenstam, who has previously collaborated with the NFL for a special Women’s Summit ahead of Super Bowl 50, shared her thoughts on the movement.
“I think it’s great. I’m not too familiar with exactly what they’re doing, but I have heard of it. You can imagine, any sport where they mention ‘female’ and girls getting involved,” said Sorenstam. “I think it’s really important, not just from my own experience, but through the Annika Foundation, we see all these young women playing golf. How well they do not just in the course but outside the course, we know that golf and life are very similar.”
Feb 4, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; GoldieBlox founder and ceo Debra Sterling (second from right) talks while U.S. Army sergeant Elizabeth Marks (left) LPGA retired player Annika Sörenstam (second from left) and Equinox president Sarah Robb O’Hagan listen during the NFL Women’s Summit at Julia Morgan Ballroom. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Throughout her career, Sorenstam has strongly advocated for more opportunities for women in sports. She believes in the NFL’s vision to increase the number of active girls playing flag football.
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“Women who are athletic go on to have a lot of big roles in companies and so forth,” said Sorenstam. “We want kids to be active, especially girls who maybe don’t get a chance to do it. So I’m all for it.”
The annual tournament awards $750,000 in prize money, much of which the celebrity players donate to local and national charities. Over the years, over $8 million has been donated to non-profit causes. Network television exposure on NBC/Peacock and a first-place prize of $150,000 make the celebrity tournament one of the most prestigious in golf.
Check out the website for more information about the American Century Championship.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Ahead of Tahoe celebrity event, Annika Sorenstam backs push for girls’ flag football
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