adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Olympic Committee vice-president, Busi Chindove, is hopeful participants in the Women and Sport Workshop that ended on Saturday will apply the lessons they learnt when they go back to their respective constituencies.
The two-day workshop was organised by the ZOC together with their Women and Sport Commission in an effort to help develop the leadership skills of women and to empower them to take up leadership roles.
Chindove said they hope those who participated in the workshop will put to good use the knowledge they gained during the two days.
“I believe that the workshop was worthwhile, but what is important is what the participants do with the knowledge gained so that it’s not recorded as another ‘talk shop’.
“I believe that this was achieved because it attracted 30 participants who benefited from the presentations made by the various resource persons.
“The lessons learnt will, hopefully, be put to good use within the associations and other related institutions.
“We also believe that armed with knowledge gained, women in sport leadership will move forward confidently and make meaningful contributions to sport in our country alongside their male counterparts.
“As the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee we are committed to the development of sport and, therefore, we value capacity development and investment in human resources be it men or women.
“It is important that we develop women in sport so that we surpass the required IOC 20 percent minimum requirement on all boards of sporting associations and indeed in ZOC,” said Chindove.
Chindove had time to share her experiences with the participants on Saturday as a woman in sport occupying a leadership role.
Sports Commission board member, Jessie Nyakatawa, was impressed with the calibre of women taking up leadership positions in sport.
She said women were raising the bar and can still do more.
“This is the second one that I have attended and I think women are raising the bar on a constant basis. I think that the women leaders we have now have got potential,” said Nyakatawa.
“Of course, there are still areas that we need to be build, to be capacitated so that we reach that higher level we need to get over our natural role as the carer, the nurturer and learn from the men.
“I am not suggesting we become men but obviously they are doing something right that we don’t.
“We must be confident enough to own our leadership and be accountable and be responsible for who we are. And I think there is great future for sport in this country under women leadership.”
She proposed that they hold such workshops on a regular basis.
“For sure once a year I don’t think is enough. I think we need to keep checking the barometer to see how we are doing,” said Nyakatawa.
“I would suggest a quarterly meeting, which is more inclusive, because there are a lot of women out there. I know the finances are limited but I am sure we can spread the word a little bit.
“And that includes mentorship and mentoring other people. Sport is not an event, of course, we have sporting events but generally it’s a process, like development so we need to keep nurturing it.”
The last day of the seminar was graced by Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister, Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga, who shared her experiences with the participants.
The permanent secretary in the ministry, Thokozile Chitepo, encouraged women to be firm and have remain focussed on what they want to achieve.
The seminar attracted participants from various national sports associations, media, corporate sector and educational institutions.
Online Reporter