Women urged to take lead in sport

The conference, which was held under the theme “Together Stronger: The future of Sport”, was meant to map the way forward to increase the numbers of women participating in sport at all levels.
The focus was more on trying to encourage women to take up leadership positions in sport.
Speaking at the official closing ceremony, DeFrantz said women need to take their place in sport and noted that there is need for everyone to work together.
“In the Olympic Movement we desperately need women to take their positions. The Olympic Movement is about mutual respect and fair play and we have to work together because that is how we can be successful.
“For the first time in the Olympic Movement we are going to have women participating in all sporting disciplines in London which celebrates human excellence,” said DeFrantz.
DeFrantz acknowledged the participants at the conference for attending the event.
“During these three days we have had many presentations and we have been able to put fourth resolutions. We have been able to discuss some topics that might not have been comfortable to some but we did it in the spirit of education,” said DeFrantz.
Speaking on the sidelines of the closing ceremony, the chairperson of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa Women and Sport Commission, Beatrice Allen, said the outcome at the conference will go a long way in empowering women in sport.
“What I have seen at this conference is a conference that has the power to seal and sign all the declarations we have made in previous conferences.
“It has the power to seal and sign the strategies that various women and sport organisations of the Olympic Movement have been pleading for because a lot of work has been done.
“We have done a lot of work at the Olympic Movement on how to mainstream and empower women to take charge of their lives. I see this as a platform and springboard for women to be elevated,” said Allen.
She also said it is high time women come forward and take up top leadership positions in sport.
“As young women you have to learn to venture into areas that are male dominated. Women have to now start having the guts. I know it is not one of our value to have the guts.
“Women have to start to venture into sport because the IOC have created an avenue by introducing the quota system. The quota system is to get us started and once you get in with the quota system we have to develop a sense of belonging. We also not to be there only because of the quota system but we need to run for elections as well.
“We are not there to fight men but we are there to work with them,” said Allen.
Allen said Africa has so far done well in promoting the development of women participation in sport as it is one of the continents that have more women in decision-making positions in sport.