FORMER netball player, Nwabisa Mavuso, has urged parents to support their children when they are playing sport, as it will encourage them to excel.
Mavuso, together with her cousin, Nomphelo Malahleka, played for the same netball club in Motherwell, while at the same time supporting Tomorrow Stars FC as a fan.
Mavuso and Malahleka, who played an instrumental role in forming their netball club, decided to merge their team with Tomorrow Stars.
Later, they formed a ladies’ soccer team at Tomorrow Stars.
According to Mavuso, Tomorrow Stars Ladies’ FC produced star players which included Anelisa Ndyebi who played for the national u/17 team.
Mavuso displayed efficient administrative skills and was therefore elected as general secretary during Tomorrow Stars’ elective congress.
Since she executed her roles and responsibilities with distinction at her club as a general secretary, she was later co-opted as the Motherwell Football Association (MOFA) general secretary.
Following her excellent performances, Mavuso was unanimously elected as a general secretary of MOFA.
Mavuso is currently Tomorrow Stars’ registrar and SAFA NMB regional executive officer.
Her highlight in her football journey was that she was appointed as the COSAFA Women’s Championship general coordinator in 2019.
Mavuso said she is highly passionate about sport and strongly believes any woman can achieve her goal.
“I am not a coward because any challenge that I am faced with, I make the means to resolve it. I believe that women can also do what men can do,” said Mavuso.
Mavuso said her son takes sports seriously, which has further fuelled her passion for sport. “He excels in soccer because I always motivate him and I therefore believe that if parents support their children fully in sport, their children can do better in sport.
“At home we eat, drink, talk and sleep football.
“When I was playing netball, my late father used to give me his full support,” said Mavuso.
According to Mavuso, some women believe that soccer is a man’s sport.
She urged mothers to watch their children when they are playing sport to promote mass participation.
Mavuso further said sport games should be a family day.
“All members of each family should go to the sports field to watch their children play.
“The performance of the child becomes better if they see their family rallying behind them.
“Their support helps the children to become future stars,” said Mavuso.
“I would like to urge all women to give support to their children all the time.
“The children should be given an opportunity to play sport and parents should not deny them their right to play,” Mavuso concluded.
