‘WOMEN BEHIND SPORTS SUCCESSES’

MBABANE – As the world advocates for equal opportunities for all, so do we.

Women achievements should be celebrated every day, however, August is women’s month and this has prompted us to acknowledge and celebrate local women in sports. 

A number of women have made big names in local sports and are instrumental, through their actions, in showing that sports is not just for men but all genders. 

Today we chat to Mbabane Cheetahs Rugby Club coach Naomi du Pont and Mbabane Raiders Netball Team player Fisokuhle Dlamini.

Fisokuhle Dlamini (Netball player)

Times: Who is Fisokuhle Dlamini?

Fisokuhle: I am a 24-year-old young woman and a lover of sports.

I play for Mbabane Raiders netball team and I recently completed my tertiary education at Southern Africa Nazarene University, faculty of education. 

I believe I’m a warm-hearted person and an achiever.

Times: How are you involved in sports?

Fisokuhle: I play netball and I play for Mbabane Raiders Netball Team. 

I started playing netball in 2009.

Times: Do you think women are well represented in sports?

Fisokuhle: Women are slightly represented in sports, however, men dominate most parts of this industry, but we’re slowly getting good representation because times are ever changing and the ratio of Eswatini men and women in sports might soon to at an equilibrium.

Times: What challenges do you think hinder sports development in the country?

Fisokuhle: Resource limitations hinder sports development in the country, such that some communities don’t have easily available sports equipment.

Coupled with that is the fact that there are no appropriate playing surfaces and enough funding to support coaches.

Also, women must be given the same opportunity as men when it comes to sports. This is because their capabilities are just as good as those of men. Diversity in sports is important and I wish to see all sport executives and councils to invest in sports so that Eswatini can be recognised world over. In this way, emaSwati would be able to showcase their talent.

Times: Your message to other women as we celebrate women’s month?

Fisokuhle: As women, we should master the art and beauty in femininity to yield confidence that is unshakable because I believe that women are versatile creatures with the ability to do anything they put their energies into.

EmaSwati must be willing to try out new things and should not in any way, limit themselves. 

Naomi du Pont (Rugby coach)

Times: Who is Naomi du Pont?

Naomi: I am a 51-year-old development coach. My CV is nine or more pages long due to learning and doing courses in my spare time. 

Times: How are you involved in sports?

Naomi: I am the head coach of Mbabane Cheetahs Rugby club and development coach at preschools and primary levels. I spend my free time coaching.

Times: Do you think women are well represented in sports?

Naomi: Not really. A lot of young ladies leave sports due to harassment. Guys are proposing to them at training daily, looking for wives and if they say no they are called lesbians. Guys make nasty comments about the ladies’ bodies, not having proper outfits to wear (bra especially).

On Administration, we do not back each other up when it comes to elections. Women dominate sports run by men, why? Are the ladies not good enough? We need to back each other instead of back-biting each other. We are queens let’s learn to fix each other’s crowns.

Times: What challenges do you think hinder sports development in the country?

Naomi: Lack of a formal sporting structure for athlete development in schools. Preschools and primary schools and high schools should have a paid development coach working on the skills of the sports and not the sport itself. This is where the children will specialise in the sport that they want after identifying where their talents lie.

An elite academy with paid coaches training the children that have been identified as a potential medal prospect in their specific sport at primary or high school is also needed.

Times: Your message to other women as we celebrate women’s month?

Naomi: I believe in the power of women. We need to embrace our femininity. We are the foundation of all life on earth. We are the possessors of knowledge. We are the way forward.

During the COVID-19 era, women run countries, we’re better prepared and that says a lot. I love you all. Keep pushing for that right that you deserve to be where you are through hard work and dedication.

Love what you do with a passion.

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