PARIS, June 6 (Xinhua) -- World's soccer governing body FIFA unveiled the first ever women's football convention here on Thursday, one day before the 2019 Women's World Cup kicks off in France.
The two-day meeting gathered leaders from the world of football, business and politics, discussing the five strategic pillars from FIFA's first Women's Football Strategy that was launched last October.
Legends of the sport like former Chelsea and Ghana playmaker Michael Essien are among the participants of the first-day conversation focusing on the development and empowerment of women in football.
"This isn't just about women anymore. It's about us leaving a women's footprint," FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura called it on as she gave the opening speech at the convention.
"We are counting on you to support us in changing mindsets, so that in the future women's football is simply known as football," added the Senegalese.
The 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup will kick off the opening match between hosts France and South Korea in Parc des Princes on Friday and the quadrennial competition will go through to July 7 in nine cities across France.
