Zimbabwean women have continued to defy the odds by making their mark in professional sport and leading the way for this nation on the Olympic Games platform.

In a society that is largely patriarchal with a bias towards the male athletes, there has been a refreshing tale written by Zimbabwean women over the years.

And it all began with the Golden Girls – that Hockey team that announced Zimbabwe’s arrival on the Olympic stage by claiming the gold medal at the 1980 Games in Moscow, Russia.

The Zimbabwe women’s hockey team popularly known as the Golden Girls  celebrate after their 4–0 win over Poland at Dynamo Minor Arena, Moscow 1980 - wikipedia.

Despite the societal biases towards male athletes, it remains a fact that in Zimbabwe it is the women who have led the way at the biggest global sporting showcase since 1980 with Kirsty Coventry being the only other athletes to have to have won a medal for this country at the Olympics.

It is only the women’s sides that have qualified for the Olympics team sports since Zimbabwe attained Independence in 1980.

Swimming sensation Coventry has also been the leading light in the last four editions of the African Games by scooping the highest number of medals by an individual in Team Zimbabwe.

Swimming sensation Kirsty Coventry holds the record for the most Olympic medals by any Zimbabwean

The Mighty Warriors also showed their male counterparts how it is done by qualifying for the 2016 Games in Rio. They have also qualified for the Africa Women Cup of Nations set for Cameroon later this year.

Mighty Warriors celebrate their victory over Cameroon

It is a similar story with the women Under-21 hockey side who also booked their ticket to the Women's Junior World Cup scheduled for Chile from November 23 to December 4 this year.

The national netball team was last year crowned the African champions.

And from these achievements by these teams and individuals among others, one can tell that Zimbabwe has not been left behind as the numbers of women in sport continue to increase the world over.

Zimbabwean women have proved their mettle in this area that once appeared to be reserved for men.

Zimbabwe Olympic Committee Women and Sport Commission chairperson, Leticia Chipandu said the opening of opportunities for women, the change of attitude and the rising confidence in the girl child have contributed to the continued success of women in sport.

 “It shows there are more opportunities for women now than before. Women are taking these opportunities seriously, that’s why we are being successful.  And it’s very encouraging to see more women participating in professional sport.

“I need to say given equal opportunities we can actually perform better or as much as the men. I don’t want to compare between men and women.

“It’s highly commendable that these women are serving as role models to other women to say we can do it. We are hoping to see more women doing well or making the grade in more sport disciplines,” said Chipandu.

Chipandu, who is also the Zimbabwe Netball Association president, pointed out that women themselves have played a vital role in ensuring that they make inroads in sport.

“What I think has changed is the attitude, more to do with our own attitude as women, believing that we can do it. It’s not only the society but the women themselves.

“If you look at the liberation struggle we also have heroines. So as women we have also accepted that we were not just meant to be in the kitchen. We can do well in other areas.

 “I wish government could support women more because they are making it. We are still struggling we haven’t gotten up there but we are going somewhere.

“We don’t like to be treated like some special case, we just want to be recognised for our achievements as women not as some special case,” said Chipandu.

Mighty Warriors assistant coach, Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda said its high time women get recognition for their efforts.

“I must say it’s great, the women have done great on their own side. And maybe what’s left for us is to be given equal support like what males are getting. It’s time that women get that recognition.

“Sport is now a profession, out there in other nations it’s a profession. When we take it as a profession also in our country I think it will motivate the girls to even go miles ahead of what we have achieved,” said Sibanda.

The former football player said there is still some beliefs that certain sport codes are for men leading to different treatment between men and women.

ZOC chief executive, Anna Mguni said it will take more than just the achievements by women to change the mind-set towards women in sport.

“Societal mind-set change will take more than the singular attainments and successes of a few women. The attitude will require a national will to accept, develop and nurture women in their varying roles in sport.

“The successes are but a handful of women who have been fortunate enough to take up opportunities resulting the breaking of barriers. These are amazing achievements for each one of the girls and women involved because in turn they provide opportunity and inspiration for other females to succeed.

“However the approach needs to be one ensuring that sport is ingrained as a fundamental right available to both genders,” said Mguni.

Mguni, however, noted that there have been some positives on how society views women in sport and the nation needs to build on that going forward.

“All the successful women in sport to date have been well supported by their families and communities, societies that have accepted their talents and skill and supported it to grow and succeed. This is a fundamental positive that needs to be nurtured on a more widespread platform. 

“Some of the drive is also derived from negative experiences, in some cases unnecessary, through which the women have remained determined and have come out successful,” Mguni said.

Although it may be slow and painful journey, the success of some of the women that have dared to break the barriers and claim the limelight in sport can be an inspiration other women.

Such achievements can bring a ray of hope that will see many others defying odds to write their own success stories not only in sport but in other different areas.