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Lloyd Gumbo Senior Reporter
MEMBERS of Parliament have hailed the Mighty Warriors for qualifying for next year’s Olympic Games in Brazil after upstaging The Lionesses of Cameroon at Rufaro on Sunday.
Zimbabwe’s senior women football team won the contest on away goals rule after scoring a priceless goal in the first leg in Yaoundé, where they narrowly lost 2-1 early this month.
Senators said there was need for Government to prioritise sport development if the country was to excel in sporting activities that unite people. They urged Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa to allocate and disburse significant funds towards sport development.
They made the remarks while debating a motion by Mashonaland Central representative Alice Chimbudzi who called on the Government to enact appropriate laws to capacitate the Sports Council of Zimbabwe, identify qualified coaches that will support talented players in both rural and urban areas.
She also urged Government to establish sports centres in all provinces and to eradicate corruption in sport.
Senator Damian Mumvuri of Mashonaland Central said it was befitting for Parliament to speak with one voice in hailing the country’s golden girls.
“We are proud of the girl child because they did very well against a highly rated team. I watched the match and I could see the commitment and resilience that they showed which is worthy celebrating,” he said.
Senator Mumvuri said sports leaders must embrace transparency and accountability to attract sponsorship.
Senator Charles Tawengwa (Harare) said both the Mighty Warriors and the Warriors, who beat Lesotho 3-1 at Barbourfields in the African Nations Championship qualifier against Lesotho on the same day, deserved special mention.
“We want to congratulate both the Warriors and the Mighty Warriors for the work they did. They won their respective matches despite having faced challenges during preparations for their matches.
“However, after the promise by the new Minister of Sport and Recreation (Makhosini Hlongwane) that they would be rewarded if they won, the players showed great commitment.
“As senators in Parliament, we want to honour the Mighty Warriors and wish them well. Everyone must come together and support them so that they have adequate preparations for the Olympic Games,” he said.
Senator Tawengwa urged Chinamasa to disburse more funds to sports development adding that sport facilities that had become white elephants must be rehabilitated and utilised.
Matabeleland South Senator Tambudzani Mohadi added: “We want to congratulate the Mighty Warriors for putting Zimbabwe on the map of sports.
“Let’s hail them for the job well done because women’ soccer is something that not many people wanted to recognise. We should also not forget the Warriors who beat Lesotho.
“I urge Government during the forthcoming budget, to set aside money for sports development because finance is the cornerstone of sports development.
“If we keep our youths busy with sports, it will help them abstain from drug abuse and other criminal activities.”
Senator Mohadi said sport was a paying industry worldwide, as such there was need to encourage children to pursue their talents.
Mashonaland East representative, Senator Rosemary Goto said it was incumbent upon them as legislators to promote sport in their constituencies and encourage parents to let their children pursue their sporting dreams.
Masvingo legislator, Otilia Maluleke, added that local authorities must be involved in sports development by availing money for sporting activities in their areas of jurisdiction.
Matabeleland South Senator, Bheki Sibanda said it was important to also focus on rural areas where some of the country’s talented youngsters resided.
He said transparency was key in sports management as sponsors shunned organisations that were corrupt.
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