Brazilian football legend Marta Vieira da Silva believes women’s sport deserves more financial support and media coverage in order to thrive.

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Speaking at the third International Conference of Sports for Women (ICSW), which concluded at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi yesterday, Marta called for stronger backing of female sport while noting that media and sponsorship go hand-in-hand.

“The most important factor is the financial aspect – sponsorship that can really support the girls and women that want to make a life out of sport. I also understand that it’s very crucial to have the right and proper media coverage,” said the five-time FIFA World Player of the Year award recipient.

“My concern is that, it’s not only about loving the sport, it’s not only willing to do something out of the sport, but in order to love and in order to dream, you need to be supported.

“With no financial support, athletes are obligated to try a different thing in life. There needs to be more attention for women’s sport and simultaneously more sponsorship.”

Marta was part of a session titled “Road to the Olympics 2016” and was joined by UAE National Olympic Committee board member Mai Al Jaber as well as retired Egyptian Olympic swimmer Rania Elwani.

The theme of the conference was “Sports without barriers” and Al Jaber discussed some of the main obstacles that often discourage Emirati women from pursuing sport.

“The UAE, as a Muslim and Arab country, religion and tradition are obviously a factor, but there is always a solution,” said Al Jaber.

“We see someone like Zahra Lari, she’s a figure skater and is training to try and qualify for the Winter Olympics. She overcame every barrier be it lack of facilities, dress code, etc… and she’s practicing and competing.”

Several young Emirati athletes were in attendance including members of the UAE women’s national football team, who were thrilled to hear from one of their heroes, Marta.

Amal Bu Shallak, a board member of the UAE Football Association, believes women’s football in the Emirates has witnessed massive progress in the past six years.

“We went from having 20 players in 2009 to 2,000 players this year,” she said. “I believe soon we can have a football league that can rival that of the men’s.”

Other speakers yesterday included 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli, who discussed her journey as a player that defied the odds to reach the pinnacle of her sport.