Resounding success of the She Leads Congress at the Reale Arena Stadium

She Leads Congress: Summary of an Inspiring Day

The congress opened with an inspiring speech from Eider Mendoza, Deputy General of Gipuzkoa. Her message set the tone for the day. Soon after, several influential figures took the stage, including Beatriz Álvarez, President of Liga F; Garbiñe Etxeberria, Sports Director of Real Sociedad; and Marina Radulovic, FIFA Development Director and coach at Grasshopper Zurich. Each of them shared personal and professional experiences. As a result, the audience gained a clear and motivating view of the challenges and achievements that have shaped their careers.

A Testimony That Moved the Audience

One of the most emotional moments came during the speech by Aintzane Encinas, President of Tximist Fundazioa. She spoke about the responsibility of being role models for future generations. Moreover, she shared the story of Radha Kumari, an Indian girl who trained as a coach in Zubieta. Radha managed to avoid early marriage and is now an international trainer and founder of an association that gives opportunities to girls around the world. Their recreated photo—mirroring an image taken in 2017—moved everyone in the room.

Panels, Workshops and Networking

The day also featured panel discussions moderated by Elixabete Sarasola, former professional footballer. In addition, there were several interactive workshops that encouraged the exchange of ideas and strengthened the community of women in sport. Participants included Ainara Manterola, CEO of Zuhegan; Maike Fricke, Organisational Director of VfL Wolfsburg; Victoria Bedini, Argentina international representing WomanGoal; and Dafne Triviño, Sports Director of Deportivo Alavés.

The audience response was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees showed strong interest in gender equality within football and other sports fields. Among those present were Leire Olaberria (professional cyclist), Nekane Arzallus (former GBC president), Patricia Rodríguez (former general manager of Eibar, Granada and Elche), Natalia Arroyo (former Real Sociedad coach), and former internationals Elixabete Capa and Arantza del Puerto.

A Message of Empowerment and Unity

The She Leads Conference stood out for the quality of its presentations and its strong message of empowerment. Furthermore, the diversity of participants—female coaches, managers, journalists, and fans—showed the broad impact of the event and its growing relevance in promoting an inclusive sports culture.

Later, Iñaki Gabarain, Councillor for Sports, presented the conclusions of the day. He highlighted the capacity of women to achieve their goals and stressed that everyone contributes on the path toward equality.

Closing Remarks and Lasting Impact

The congress closed with an emotional speech from the event president, who thanked all participants for their dedication to gender equality. “Today we have shown that together we are stronger. The future of football, and sport in general, will be brighter and fairer thanks to the contribution of all of us,” she said.

The success of the She Leads Congress at the Reale Arena reinforces the importance of spaces for dialogue and collaboration. Ultimately, the event marked a milestone in the ongoing journey toward equality and the recognition of the crucial role women play in sport.