THE Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) have paid tribute to Zimbabwe’s exceptional women in sport, saying it draws pride and inspiration from their exploits.
NRSL chairperson Martin Kweza told The Sunday Mail Sport that achievements by Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Dr Kirsty Coventry, hockey’s 1980 Golden Girls (who won a gold medal at the Olympics in Moscow), boxers Kuda Chiwandire and Monalisa Sibanda, as well as the Mighty Warriors, show how women have lifted the country’s flag high.
“Time and time again, our women have shown that once offered the opportunity to participate in sports, whether in team sport or individual disciplines, they have the tenacity to develop critical skills and compete at the highest level, and, in the process, reach the podium,’’ Kweza said.
“It is not a coincidence that at such grand stages like the Olympics, it is the women who have excelled for Zimbabwe.
“From the Golden Girls at the Moscow Games in 1980, our decorated Olympian Dr Kirsty Coventry to the Mighty Warriors, who remain the only national football team to qualify for a tournament outside of the African continent, it is about women success stories.”
The country’s sporting associations, added Kweza, have to include more women in their structures.
“The women have gone further to demonstrate that they are capable leaders, too, once entrusted with leadership positions.
“It is high time all sporting codes must come up with gender equity policies, which are systematically designed to help achieve gender equity in sports . . .”
NRSL have since come up with commemorative banners for women’s month (March), with Coventry as the “poster girl”.
Having amassed seven medals — two gold, four silver and a bronze — she is Africa’s most decorated Olympian.
She also dominated the African Games (then All-Africa Games) at the peak of her swimming powers and later showed her administrative qualities after being elected as Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) vice president.
Coventry was the chairperson of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, which made her a member of the IOC executive board from 2018 until earlier in 2021, when the IOC session in Tokyo approved the change of her IOC membership status to individual member.
She was then elected chairperson of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics Coordination Commission.
Separately, boxer Chiwandire is presently in camp, preparing for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title challenge against Mexican holder Yamileth Mercado in Chihuahua, Mexico, on March 18.
Athlete Eugenia Chidhakwa — who is now sport and recreation director in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation — and South Africa-based long-distance runner Rutendo Nyahora are some of the women who are also highly regarded.
Chidhakwa continues to make a mark, as she was recently appointed chairperson of the technical and development commission of African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5.
The NRSL also lauded top rugby referee Precious Pazani, who has handled matches at the World Rugby Sevens finals.
Last week, she was again appointed to officiate at the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Stellenbosch, South Africa, next month.
Former Women’s Soccer League bosses Susan Chibizhe, Mavis Gumbo and Miriam Sibanda also came out for special mention, as was ex-ZOC chief executive Anna Mguni.
Further, Ngezi Platinum Stars chief executive officer Yvonne Mapika Manwa, ex-Mighty Warriors skipper and coach Rosemary Mugadza, ZIFA and CAF women’s administrator Theresa Maguraushe and Lady Chevrons captain Marry-Anne Musonda are also among those who are being celebrated for their contribution in sport.
Felisitus Kwangwa — who will lead the Gems at their second successive appearance at the World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, this year — is also celebrated. – Sunday Mail
