adminNgqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
THE Mighty Warriors have called on the nation to give them tangible rewards for their efforts.
Zimbabwe senior women’s national team captain Felistas “Figo” Muzongondi said while they were happy to be nominated for various awards they feel as players they haven’t been treated fairly despite the pride they have brought to the nation.
The country was this week basking in the glory of the Mighty Warriors success for qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics after Caf nominated the team as Women National Team of the year while locally they were nominated in the Annual National Sports Awards as the team of the year although they did not win the award.
Figo said for a long time they have soldiered on with the national team but they had nothing to show for their efforts.
She said they were pained by the fact the nation would celebrate their success but the players would not be fairly rewarded adding women football had always been treated as second class.
Figo said while the corporate world should also come forward, the responsibility lay squarely on Government’s shoulders.
“We have always, consistently and persistently, answered to call ups and never turned down an opportunity to do duty for the nation but we have been disappointed time and again. For all these years that we have been playing for the national team, I can’t we have anything to show for it.
“I think Government should take the leading role in honouring us and although the Ministry of Sports (and Recreation) gave us money upon qualification for Rio, it was little,” she said.
Figo said they were used to the shoddy and shady treatment but because of their love of the game and the nation they have not abandoned the national team but feels it is time they got tangible rewards.
“I think qualifying for the Olympics was a big thing for the country and we should have something to show for it as players but unfortunately there is nothing,” she added.
The national team received $6 000 from the Sports Ministry which was shared among the players and technical depart.
Previously the players have struggled to get their bonuses and allowances from Zifa and at one time had to secure their own transport money to return to their bases after the association said they are broke.
Mighty Warriors coach, Shadreck Mlauzi echoed Figo’s statements saying women’s football deserved to be handled better.
He said qualifying Olympics showed the potential they have and given the right resources and treatment they can achieve more.
“To keep the players well motivated we need to give them tangible rewards so that when a player is sitting at home she tells herself there is something tangible she has managed to acquire from her excursions with the national team.
“Right now we need to prepare for the Olympics but we are not getting positive feedback on our preparatory plans, which is killing our spirits,” said Mlauzi.
The Olympics will take place from 5 to 21 August in Brazil and Mlauzi had crafted an ambitious road map that would have seen the national team play several friendly matches in the run up to the games but Zifa is yet to respond to his plans.
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