Aluko Revels In Game For Equality

*Aluko

Chelsea female club striker, Eniola  Aluko believes this weekend’s Game for Equality can create a favourable impact for good all over the world after lending her support to the initiative.
Nigeria born Aluko also expressed tacit belief that high ranking clubs such as Chelsea
FC have a duty promote equality, hence she is positive that this Saturday’s game is the perfect way to showcase the good work being done by organizations worldwide.
“Football clubs, especially those with a huge following need to support equality as the messages those clubs carry are so important,’ she said.
“They have an impact all over the world so when a club like Chelsea stands up and says, “this isn’t right, we are against all forms of discrimination,” everybody else will buy in to it all over the world.
“What the club say has an impact in places where things aren’t as accepted as they are in England and it is important that we keep doing it and eventually that message will become normality so we won’t have to say it anymore.’

Recently, England Ladies captain, Casey Stoney spoke publicly for the first time about being gay and Aluko believes her international team mate’s courage can prove an inspiration to others.

“There is an issue in society with people just being themselves, whether you are black or white, you’ve got a different religion or sexual orientation, and there is a problem, particularly with young people being able to be themselves and to be confident in their own skin,’ she said.

“When someone comes out and says, “this is me, take it or leave it,” it empowers people and makes them think if she or he can do that then so can I and that is the most important thing.

“It is not about individuals, it is about the knock-on impact of people being okay with who you are, whoever they are. It’s important that people know it is okay to be who you are and if you feel different that is something to be celebrated and when you celebrate who you are it trumps ignorance.

“All the things you think people may think about you, that gets defeated when you come out and say I am happy with who I am.

“I hate to sound philosophical about it but that is something society needs, whoever you are. So for someone like Casey to do that highlights it even more and is important.’ 

She has had spells at clubs like Birmingham City, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, St Louis Athletica, Atlanta Beat, Sky Blue FC, Birmingham City

The England international re-joined Chelsea Ladies for a second spell  ahead of the 2013 season. Aluko becomes the third member of Great Britain's 2012 Olympic squad in the Chelsea ranks, joining current Blues Claire Rafferty and Dunia Susi. Aluko's first spell at the club came in 2007, following stints at Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic, the latter seeing Aluko win the FA Women's Cup and Premier League Cup before leaving for the US Women's Professional League in 2008, enjoying spells with St Louis Athletica, Atlanta Beat and Sky Blue FC, before returning to English football for a second spell with Birmingham City. Aluko would win her second FA Cup winners medal, coming up against Chelsea to win the 2012 final on penalties.