Zimpapers Logo

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
WOMEN in sport across the country are tomorrow set to converge at Monomotapa Hotel in Harare for the inaugural Women in Sport Conference.

The conference, dubbed “Empowering Women Through Sport and Recreation,” is the first of its kind at national level. And it’s being organised by the Sports Commission in collaboration with the Bindura University National Sports Academy.

The director of the National Sports Academy,Titus Zvomuya, said all was on course for the conference and is optimistic it will be a success.

“All I can say for now is that everything is on course. All presenters for the conference have confirmed that they will be available. “We are happy with the support we have received from the presenters, Bindura University and the Sports and Recreation Commission.

“The committee that has been working on this project has been meeting regularly and they have done a splendid job so far and we are looking forward to the conference on Friday. ‘‘This is the first of its kind, the first conference for women in sport,” Zvomuya said.

The conference has drawn a cast of presenters with diverse business and sporting experiences. They include Olympian and Zimbabwe Olympic Committee vice-president Kirsty Coventry and chief executive Anna Mguni.

Veteran sports medicine specialist Debbie Jeans, who is also the former Judo Association of Zimbabwe president, is among the presenters as well as SRC Board vice-chairperson and Old Mutual regional marketing executive Lillian Mbayiwa.

Director, sport promotion and development in the Ministry of Sport and Recreation, Eugenia Chidhakwa, is also part of the show that will see 12 presenters talking about various issues concerning women in sport.

Some of the topics include benefits of sports and recreation and narrowing the discriminatory gap for women, sport as a career, opportunities and challenges for women and the role of local authorities in promoting women in sport and recreation.

The conference also presents women with a platform to share ideas and their experiences in sport.

Zvomuya said they took into account a number of factors to organise the high-profile event, including the achievements made by women in sport. “Basically we are looking at, one empowering women and we believe they have a critical role to play as far as development and recreation of sport is concerned.

“We also took in the fact that the first medal at the Olympics came from women, the second came from a woman. So what it says to us is there is a lot of potential for women to give us more medals at national, regional, continental and international competitions.’’ said Nyakunu.

Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane will be the guest of honour.