Bend it like Melissa

Tinashe Makichi Cool Lifestyle Writer
Soccer is the world’s best game built on deft skills and artfully executed teamwork, fuelled by deep-rooted passion and commitment.
Some call it the beautiful game and roar loudly at every goal and exhale with relief at every clean sheet. Around the world, soccer has become an amazing tool for creating meaningful social change.
It is every parent’s dream to see their daughters and sons become lawyers, nurses and teachers among others. Even if your child is a talented artiste or sportsperson, parents feel happy. Well, what would you do if your daughter says: “My role model is Alois Bunjira and I love soccer.”

This is the case with 17-year-old Melissa Sambumba from Marondera, who is the talk of town. She is a soccer player.
Melissa is a midfielder at Chitepo Secondary School, where she is doing Form 3. Though she said soccer is her number one priority, the top goalscorer at her school bemoaned the lack of sponsorship for the game.

“It seems as if the responsible academies for scouting have a prejudged yardstick of measure in focusing mostly in the capital neglecting other regions,” she said.
Melissa said just like academics, if sports are taken seriously they sustain livelihoods.

“Muhammad Ali’s daughter is earning a living through boxing, Kirsty Coventry is the top earner in swimming. Who said I can’t make it? Soccer is my talent,” she explained.

She said: “Soccer academies like Aces Youth Academy among others should extend their scouting yardstick to the marginalised because talent is not in Harare only. We are yelling for their support in nurturing raw talent that is on the verge of failing in marginalised areas.”

Melissa later urged the Government to embark on supporting girls’ soccer and providing the required sporting instruments.
“I think girls are sidelined. The Government under the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture should construct an integrated sports training, residential and educational facilities in and around the country.

“They should expand the current soccer coaching, education, social skills training, nutrition and medical service programmes to suit our growing needs. Currently, we are facing the challenge of football kits and balls whereas it’s not the same issue with boys’ soccer,” she said.

She said discrimination has been the other factor affecting girls’ soccer in Zimbabwe.
Melissa has challenged all odds bestowed by tradition to become one of the brightest prospects in the football playing arena.

“I am a girl and this is my time to shine. I can dribble and play well in the field. Every touch, every pass, every tackle takes on greater meaning when the goal is a win for more than the shirt on your back,” she emphasised.

Melissa said one of her greatest moments was when she scored a magical bicycle kick goal.
Growing up in the high-density suburb of Rusike in Marondera, Melissa is truly a force to reckon with. According to her uncle- cum-manager Godfrey Zhuwao, the teen star loves soccer than anything else.

“At first we were shocked to hear that she is playing soccer but with time we began to support her. I make sure she has everything she needs because that is her chosen career,” said the uncle.

Apart from soccer, the shy player loves javelin, shot put and discus among others. She started playing soccer at the tender age of 13.
However, Melissa urged all girls to desist from being challenged by tradition and venture into any sport because everything is possible.

“Most girls have been sceptical about venturing into football considering the patriarchal connotations surrounding the sport. Therefore, I urge all girls out there to venture into sport especially soccer because it is a sport just like any other,” she said

Developing countries, in general, have very limited resources to support critical social development programmes, and sport is low on the priority scale. Therefore, this affected the development of the sport from grassroots levels.

She loves to eat rice and chicken and Kelly Rowland is her favourite artiste.
“During my spare time I listen to music with my cousins. Despite being a soccer player, I manage my diet well like any normal girl, thus rice and chicken are my best,” she said.