What Happened
Two Chorrillo F.C. players, Shaday Mow and Shayaris Camarena, are emerging as examples of how women’s football in Panama is developing across generations. One is a teenage scorer already making an impact in youth and senior competition, while the other is a more established forward balancing elite football with university studies.
Mow, 16, began playing in Pedregal at age four, competing against boys in neighborhood matches and building the aggressive edge that now defines her game. By age 12, she was already standing out in national tournaments against older players, and she later finished as top scorer in the under-14 category with 30 goals.
Her rapid rise continued with Panama’s under-17 team, where she made her debut in Nicaragua and scored. In the Women’s Football League, she announced herself with a hat trick at age 15, then went on to receive the Most Valuable Player award for the 2025 Clausura tournament.
A Rising Star and a Steady Presence
Mow’s profile reflects the speed with which young talent can move through Panama’s women’s football system when performance is consistent. Her development has taken her from local pitches to national team action, and she has spoken openly about her ambition to play in a World Cup one day, inspired by players such as Alexia Putellas.
Camarena represents a different stage of that same journey. Also of Chorrillo F.C., she is part of Panama’s senior women’s national team setup and is preparing with the group for a demanding international test against Canada on November 28 in the road to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
For Camarena, the team’s growth has also been shaped by experiences outside the capital. She pointed to a match in Penonomé, where strong local support showed the wider reach of women’s football across the country. She also highlighted the value of international Concacaf competition at club level, which has helped expose the team to higher standards and identify areas for improvement.
More Than Football
Camarena’s perspective also reflects a growing focus among Panamanian athletes on life after sport. She is studying Industrial Engineering and Administration and says she wants to complete her education before considering a move abroad. That balance between academics and football underscores a practical reality for many players in a sport that is still developing professionally.
Together, Mow and Camarena show both the promise and the structure now taking shape in Panama’s women’s game. Their stories highlight how family support, club development and international exposure are helping create a deeper talent pipeline, with younger players now seeing a clearer path from neighborhood football to the national stage.
As Panama continues building toward major regional and global competitions, players like Mow and Camarena are becoming central figures in a program that is aiming not only to compete, but to sustain long-term growth.