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Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
MERIT Munzwembiri is promising to be a game-changer at the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee if elected as vice president in Sunday’s crunch elections.
The seasoned journalist and sports advocate says she’s ready to shake things up at ZOC – with bold plans focused on athletes’ welfare, gender equality, and podium ambitions for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Munzwembiri is one of eight candidates vying for the two vice-presidential posts up for grabs in the ballot set for this Sunday at the ZOC quadrennial general assembly in Harare.
Other posts being contested are the presidency, seven board member seats and five positions for the disciplinary committee.
Mxolisi Ndlovu is unopposed for the treasurer’s position.
“If elected for the ZOC VP position, I intend to drive positive change by advancing what I can term three key top priority areas which for me are: a shift in focus more towards athletes’ development and giving attention to their welfare and training needs,” said Munzwembiri.
“Secondly, gender equality, inclusion and diversity and thirdly beginning the preparatory path for a podium performance for Los Angeles 2028.
“Athletes resourcing, their upkeep and welfare will be at the centre of my attention.
“I believe with adequate resourcing Zimbabwe could add more medals at international competitions and this will be a priority focus for me.
“Zimbabwe must start now for podium performance preparations for Los Angeles 2028 and if voted I intend to start building partnerships with model NOCs for enhanced performance.
“I intend to equally foster collaborations with sport-centred organisations and stakeholders to advance our sports industry,” she said.
The renowned journalist and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and sports development believes her background in the media has allowed her to have a deeper appreciation of women’s sport.
She aims to increase female representation by encouraging women to participate in sports leadership roles and decision-making positions.
“My experience as a sports journalist opened me up to a deep appreciation of women’s sports and the many gaps that still exist.
“For example, women’s sports continue to get very limited coverage, visibility of female athletes is equally limited and so too, even when it comes to resource allocations and pay cheques on competition.
“This is something that really requires attention at an executive level and I believe if elected ZOC vice president I would have the voice to push for positive change in that direction.
“I am a firm believer that the conversation of getting the gender gradient correct is not only confined around getting more women to participate in sports.
“But also constitutes a number of key fundamentals like having an equally healthy field of female sports journalists who can also give a strong visibility stance on women’s voices.”
She has been a ZOC board member since 2021 and chaired the Gender Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Commission.
“During my tenure we put up the Women and Sports Policy, and the Inclusion and Diversity Policy to try and coerce national sports associations to create friendly and safe environments for women and girls in sport.
Another candidate, Edson Chirowodza, contesting to be a board member, said there is need to support team sports.
“Being nominated is a great honour and it shows that some NSAs see the potential in me to be part of ZOC leadership.
“I believe this is as a result of the work that I am doing in handball.
“If elected, I look forward to advocating for ZOC to focus on supporting team sports towards qualifying for LA 2028 Olympics. Governance in NSAs is critical to be addressed through training of NSA leadership from districts.
“The link between school sport and club sport is critical in addressing podium performance issues.
“Financing preparations for major competitions will be my key focus as well. Establishment of a high-performance centre for sport development.
“And staff motivation is also critical, and use of research through sound scientific principles will help us to improve our rankings on the medals table at Olympic Games,” Chirowodza said.
Chirowodza, who is Zimbabwe Handball Federation secretary-general, is also involved in leadership at regional and continental levels, having been appointed Africa Beach Hockey president last year.
Online Reporter