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IT was an all-female referees’ affair at the second edition of the Jadel Football Academy U-16 Invitational tournament held at Prince Edward yesterday.
It was a historic moment in the history of Zimbabwe to have junior football being handled by an all-female cast.
The event comes a few weeks after an all-female referees’ team officiated in a World Cup match.
Stephanie Frappart of France was joined by assistants Neuza Back of Brazil and Karen Diaz from Mexico in the Group E clash between Costa Rica and Germany.
Jadel Football Academy Invitational tournament coordinator, Nyasha Kadenge, described the historic event as a way of empowering local female match officials.
“We are very much alive to the various initiatives towards women empowerment and hence we felt obliged to make our modest contribution to the goal.
“We believe in our women; hence we entrusted them with the responsibility and we are happy with the way they handled the tournament,” said Kadenge.
She said the tournament also sought to give female referees exposure.
“We have seen that female officials always play second fiddle to their male counterparts, hence this was an opportunity to give our women referees exposure,” said Kadenge.
The female referees at the tournament were Mercy Maimbo, Viamoris, Samushonga, Primrose Serima Progress Chatsamwa and Sandra Muchuchu.
The Jadel Football Academy Invitational tournament is the brain child of former Zimbabwe Young Warriors defender, Walter Musanhu.
It was graced by Zimbabwe international, Kundai Benyu, as well as former Warriors, Edward Sadomba and Cuthbert Malajila.
Ten academies took part in the invitational tournament.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter