adminembraced and given the same status as the game played by their male counterparts.
Dokora was speaking at the opening ceremony for the Cosafa Women’s Referees’ refresher course, which began yesterday in the capital, ahead of the Cosafa Women’s Championships, which starts on Saturday.
Flanked by Fifa regional instructor, Carlos Henrique , Cosafa Operations Officer Sue Destombes and Zimbabwe Women Football boss Mavis Gumbo, Dokora said while women soccer was improving it was still lagging behind the same game played by the men.
“I think it is an important development to have this course run on the eve of the tournament,” said Dokora.
“It is my hope that women soccer will not be a matter of charity.
“I have argued before that even when we have national tournaments we should not allow women soccer to be of walk in and out nature.
“If women soccer is not costed it doesn’t reflect well on the budget, the tendency is it’s not important but marginal.”
Dokora said the refresher course, as well as the staging of the tournament here, was beneficial to the country.
“The course demonstrates the residual value that remains in the country long after the teams have gone back.
“They can be useful in cascading the information learnt across our country,” said Dokora.
The regional instructor, who was here last year conducting a Fifa refresher course, said Fifa were keen on empowering women. He said they were glad to see women’s referees performing well than their male counterparts and passing the fitness tests.
“We hope we are going to have a wonderful tournament.
“As Cosafa we have taken the initiative that for every tournament we host we have a refresher course with support of Fifa.
“Thanks to Zifa for hosting us once again. The last men’s Cosafa here in 2009 was successful,” said Destombes.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe women’s top referee Pamela Chiwaya and Mutare-based official Kuda Majo are among the six centre referees who will be handling the tournament.
Fellow Zimbabweans, Stella Ruvinga and Rudo Nhanhanga, will be among the seven assistant referees who will be officiating at the week-long tournament.
The referees have been drawn from Malawi, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa.
Zimbabwean Fifa instructor Sabelo Maphosa will be working with Henrique as the female referees go through their paces for the next three days.
The Botswana national team will be the first side to arrive for the tournament this afternoon while the other six countries, led by defending champions South Africa, are expected tomorrow.
The Mighty Warriors have stepped up their preparations and are training twice a day at Rufaro and tomorrow will train at Gwanzura.
The Harare City Council have worked around the clock to ensure the playing surface at Gwanzura meets international standards. Yesterday, groundsmen were busy working on the grass.
Zimbabwe will play their last group match at Gwanzura when they date Mozambique next Tuesday.
Referees
Centre: Pamela Chiwaya (Zimbabwe), Kuda Majo (Zimbabwe), Martha Nyekanyeka (Malawi), Grace Msiska (Malawi), Gladys Longwe (Zambia) Lekgowe Bolokanang (Botswana).
Assistants: Stella Ruvinga (Zimbabwe), Rudo Nhanhanga (Zimbabwe), Botsalo Mosimanewatlala (Botswana), Nomvula Masilela (South Africa), Patience Mumba (Zambia), Mercy Zulu (Zambia), Cynthia Sanders (Seychelles).
Online Reporter