Young Women in Sports, and the Importance of Balance

The Voice of Women Working in Sport when you want to talk about her you need to konw she 

Resilient,Empowered,Trailblazing,Inspirational,Tenacious,Graceful,Influential,Dedicated,Fierce,Visionary,Charismatic

Dynamic,Motivated,Empathetic,Ambitious

Interview with ANAMARIA PRODAN

The opportunity to work in sport is seen as a source of pride, privilege and empowerment for many women, offering opportunities to fulfil passions and make a difference. However, too often those feelings are undermined by “inequalities in terms of job opportunities, development.

ANAMARIA PRODAN, with a career over the years that I will present shortly. Coming from a very, very strong family in Romania, with prestigious parents, my mother a Diva star and professor, and my father a lawyer, I faced the challenges of this family and carried the name with honor forward, choosing to study law because my father owned a large law firm, eagerly desiring to leave this firm as an inheritance to me, so I chose to pursue law. Since I have loved football very much and practiced this sport at a high level, I combined these two professions. I chose to save athletes in Romania, particularly football players, by ensuring they have firm, clear contracts so that no one can take advantage of them, to be paid according to the contracts, and to avoid ridicule from any club owner or general manager.
In 2005, I entered this industry as a lawyer, a law school graduate, and I vowed that my athletes would never be deceived by anyone and would always retain their dignity, just as I have throughout my life: proud, dignified, strong, and independent. I infused this spirit into my football players as well. I wanted to change the mentality in Romanian sports, especially in Romanian football, where contracts were once signed “on a knee,” in a car or at a restaurant. At that point, I appeared on television, already well-known since birth, declaring that I had obtained my agent's license and that no player of mine would ever be made a fool of again.

I helped football clubs in Azerbaijan change their mentality, building very good platforms, making history in Romanian football, being at that time the only woman who ever worked in football; a trailblazer for other women who became agent lawyers. I kept my promise, and none of the hundreds of players I contracted have had issues; the clubs where they played have not faced problems because I also completed a diploma in diplomacy at the Romanian Diplomatic Institute (IDR), and I always knew how to maintain perfect collaboration and connection with the clubs.

had historic transfers for three countries in Europe: Romania, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, the largest transfers from these countries. I left a deep mark in football, not only in Romania but also internationally. I changed the lives of all my players, 85% of whom came from very modest, impoverished families. I managed their careers so that they became millionaires and supported them in completing their education, regardless of anything, even while they were active in football, because no matter the talent, education is essential. A sports career can end suddenly and very quickly, so I insisted they finish their studies, being there for them like a sister, mother, friend, and manager, always maintaining a family connection. For this reason, I had an unbreakable and wonderful relationship with my players.

With a stunning faith in God, I’ve moved forward and I’m proud of everything I've accomplished. I overcame every difficulty and failure life threw my way, rising even stronger. I made a name for myself on an international level, a name I built alone and owe everything to God; I didn’t ask anything of anyone, and nobody helped me in my profession or my life.
I’ve guided the paths of many, and those who chose to leave my side made their own choice, which I respected, but they didn’t fare well. On the other hand, those who stayed with me, 99% of them, became honorable, respectable people with beautiful families. They are millionaires who built businesses or operate at a high level in football.

It has been my life's ambition to surpass my parents, not to reach the millions of euros they made through their hard work; I wanted to earn my own money, to make them proud of me and the education they provided and the school they paid for. That's exactly what I did; I took my life into my own hands and built everything myself, of course, I always knew that my parents were behind me.
The day my mother, who I repeat was a national artist, one of Romania's greatest artists, a national treasure in folk music, went out and heard "wow, she's the mother of ANAMARIA PRODAN," my mother started to cry and said: "TODAY YES, YOU HAVE SURPASSED ME!" People didn't say I was Ionela Prodan's daughter; somehow, I ended up in first place while my mother was beside me. When I was little, I was Ionela Prodan's daughter, but with my evolution, my mother became recognized as Anamaria Prodan's mother through all my podcasts, shows, and public appearances, as I managed to capture all these worlds: the glamorous, the intellectual, television, sports, and social media.
I have come to open the strangest businesses, as my children say, because I learned from education that if one of the businesses fails, the other must support it, and I ventured into the world of crypto, wine, podcasts, television, and jewelry. I have become a brand; my name is a brand. Today, "I am ANAMARIA PRODAN," and I repeat, I somehow changed the general mentality because people must respect their education, go to school, have fear of God, show respect for their

parents throughout their lives, not only while alive but also venerate them after death.

I have implemented these things and more, because the chaos happening today at a global level terrifies me. I have managed to change the face of Romanian football and its mentality, and wherever I go and am invited, I receive international awards, proud that everyone says I am a pioneer, a woman who has succeeded in a man's world through strength, pride, power, education, and professionalism. I've always said that behind every strong man stands a strong woman, and from this, from two strong people, something astonishing is born. I love this profession of mine and thank my parents every second for guiding me towards law school. I like that I can stand tall in front of everyone, sit at the table with any man or 100 men, and my word is final. This has motivated me to become increasingly prepared, more respectful, and more humble because then God gives you three pairs of wings, not just one.

I strongly believe that women, being more docile and patient, give life on earth. I argue that women have a very significant role in society and because they are docile and understand men and their needs, through their ability to endure all the hardships and pains of life, they can bear a lot and play a decisive role when in leadership.

For me, Saudi Arabia is something wonderful; the culture is amazing. I was there many years ago and felt as if I had somehow lived there in another life. Contrary to the life I display, I greatly admired the way women dressed, the fact that no one dared to look up or insult a woman, and that no one spoke harshly to a woman. I understood exactly what it was about the way they dress—it's about their protection. I saw the men whom I have always admired for taking care of their families and wives, treating them like saints. Somehow, it was as if I had lived there in another life, in Riyadh, where I spent a dream-like period. I had another beautiful time in Jeddah; it's a country where everything has developed astonishingly, a country I am proud of and promote internationally. I believe I am among the few women who have spoken on Arabia TV about football, the only woman from outside that region sharing how wonderful this country is and how sports, especially football, have developed strongly. I take pride in having worked many years ago when football was not so developed in Saudi Arabia; I made significant transfers for Al Hilal and Al-Ittihad, helped the Al-Ittihad club, and had an extraordinary relationship with its leaders back when all the Romanian players were represented by me. I am proud of all these achievements and the fact that these clubs trusted me and worked with me when everyone said that Arabs wouldn’t work with women.

With closed eyes, my family and I find ourselves in a place where I felt the most peaceful and fulfilled. My children attended school there and were very happy. The safety and serenity that Saudi Arabia offers to families is unmatched anywhere in the world, providing great protection. Witnessing the evolution of Saudi Arabia during my time there, it has now set an astonishing example for the world with the extraordinary development of football, attracting all the world’s football stars today. In the meantime, I obtained my professional boxing license and now promote "Gavril & Prodan promotion," organizing the finest boxing galas in Romania, aiming to restore Romanian boxing to its former glory. As a trailblazer, I've already organized a World title gala in Romania, including the WBF Latin title, and many belts I am proud of. I am delighted that boxing in Saudi Arabia has reached unimaginable heights. I spent years striving to be a perfect mother, a perfect wife, and a perfect professional, and I succeeded. I went through a horrible divorce that lasted many years, but both my children and I emerged proud from it. We have only moved forward, heads held high, while those who left fell terribly. My family will only look ahead because we are very capable and well-prepared.