adminLucia Mazhou
THE Zimbabwe senior netball team commemorated the International Day of the Girl Child by bringing women from different walks of life together at Stodart Netball Complex in Mbare over the weekend.
Zimbabwe Netball Association president, Leticia Chipandu, used the occasion to lament the manner in which netball is viewed compared to other sports.
“We made it to the Netball World Cup, but no noise is being made about it.
“If it was any other sport, people would have been buzzing about it.
“We need support and coverage in the same way other sports receive support and coverage.”
She added:
“Netball is one sport that allows a woman to be an individual and also be a team player.
“We did not develop the team overnight, but it was a process.
“Our dream started in 2014 when Zimbabwe hosted the Region 5 Youth Games.
“That is where the seed to compete and grow was sown.
“It has not been an easy road for us.”
She hailed their sponsors, Spar Zimbabwe and Plan International Zimbabwe, who have rallied behind the Gems, by providing financial assistance.
“Plan International has been with us during the World Cup and have helped us in our journey as we build women through sport.
“You can be very good at sport, but if you do not have the financial muscle, nothing bears fruit.”
She also pointed out the need to spruce up the Stodart Netball Complex, saying it is now old.
A young lady from Sage Girls Foundation thanked Plan International for teaching them how to read and write.
“I was unable to read and write, but thanks to Plan International, I’m now able to do both.
“I used to be aggressive but I am now an understanding person because I can learn things through reading.
“I can now stand up for my rights as a girl child,” she said.
The Sage Girls Foundation is the brain child of Plan International.
It is a Girl Child centred organisation which advances girls’ rights by fighting for their equality. Spar donated books to the Sage Girls Foundation.
Online Reporter