Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER CAPS United administrator Joyce Kapota wants to inspire fellow women to take up big positions in football administration, a domain previously dominated by males.
Kapota is vying to become one of the two ZIFA vice presidents.
She submitted her nomination papers at ZIFA House on Wednesday, the deadline day.
Kapota, who has gained valuable football administration expertise thanks to a number of FIFA courses she has attended in recent years, is one of the women who are running for posts when the Assembly elects the new leadership on January 25.
Herentals Queens chairperson Loveness Mukura and Northern Region women’s football vice chairperson Winnet Muropa are some of the ladies vying for the ZIFA vice presidency.
Beaullar Msarah is one of the women vying for a place on the ZIFA Board.
Former Zimbabwe Olympic Committee chief executive officer and veteran sports administrator Anna Mguni is not contesting for any post and did not file any nomination papers. According to Article 38 of the new ZIFA Constitution, at least one of the two vice presidents shall be a woman.
The 11-member Executive Committee will have at least three women.
Kapota is excited with this development.
“I did something I never thought I would ever try: I submitted my ZIFA election papers for the vice president candidate.
“I did it nervously, scared, but I did it anyway,” Kapota said.
“I hope my stepping up will inspire more women and girls that they can take up space.
“I pray it opens up more options for women to various other things they can aspire to,” added Kapota.
Msarah feels women should have more voice in football’s corridors of power.
“In the past we used to have only one woman on the ZIFA Board, and this was wrong,” she said.
“It’s great now that we will have more women contributing in high-level football meetings.
“We will have more say as women,” she added.