Chronicle Editor
Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sports Reporter
FORMER Mighty Warriors player Nobuhle Majika looked worried as she watched two of her players working out just before a match at Gifford High School in Bulawayo on Friday.
She would rub her face, clutch her fists and kick the air, but did not utter a word. The worry could have got the better of her but she kept her cool. She has to be strong. The players need her the most now. As her team Mpopoma High School girls football team displayed some good football and went on to win, Majika sank in thought of the future of women’s football in the country.
A protégé of the once vibrant women’s football structures in Bulawayo, Majika is concerned it will be hard for the sport to strive as there is no financial backup.
She looked at her players and almost wept. They are a talented lot but that talent could suffer a choke if not supported both materially and financially. The 32-year-old coach has sent out a clarion call on the need for football stakeholders and benefactors to help in the funding of women’s football which is struggling financially.
Majika said it was disheartening that most teams, particularly in Bulawayo, do not have any source of funding, a situation that has dealt a blow in developing women’s football. For so long, there has been an outcry on why potential financiers were shying away from women’s football. A lot of achievements have come from the women’s side of the game that deserves support. Majika said the level of financial support given to men, should also be extended to women.
She spelt out boldly that without a cash injection, women’s football will fold in the not so distance future. A huge helping hand is needed.
“The truth is, I am disturbed and equally in pain as to why corporates are so fond of neglecting the Girl Child. Women’s football teams are in need of funding,” she lamented.
The state of affairs in some teams has reduced the level of competition both at provincial and national leagues as there are increasing cases of walkovers, with teams failing to fulfil fixtures. So bad is the situation as there are teams reportedly struggling to feed players. Even the rate at which players move out of teams is high, the few can stand the pain of playing for free.
Having wrapped a decorated career with the Mighty Warriors in 2018, Majika said if committed benefactors come along, the country will have formidable development structures to feed players into the national team.
“We plead, please come to our rescue. Women’s football needs financial rescue. If we are united in supporting teams at grassroots level, right up to national competitions, our football will be rewarding,” she said.
A talented defender in her time with the national team, Majika challenged even women in the corporate sector, entrepreneurs and influencers to play a part.
“Women can do this. Women can run their football, support it and make a huge change in the Girl Child’s life. I call upon all women in the business sector to hear us out and help us build women’s football.”
The Bulawayo-born coach who made the cut at the Mighty Warriors’ Under-20s side, is respected for her contribution to developing the sport. She is credited with inspiring as many talented girls countrywide. As she heads back for a team talk, Majika was full of praise on women football administrators who selflessly dedicate themselves to the game.
“I played football and I respect the people who take their time and little resources to manage teams. Businesses have to know our story.”
Her other team Lozikeyi Queens faces collapse unless funding is pumped in. Another Barrow Jets appears to be struggling too in the national league.
Online Reporter