One of the prominent news that has been in the sports circles this year is Women Head Coaches. Many may not understand the fuss about this. But I will take the courtesy to break it down. Sports used to be considered a men’s field (and maybe some individuals still hold onto that old belief). Since time immemorial, so many views have been against women’s participation following Aristotle’s Philosophy that undermined women’s position in society and their ability to engage in physical activities. Fears of becoming infertile or losing virginity also blocked women’s engagement in sports. Women that engaged in any games in the 19th Century were expected to be as graceful as not looking forward to winning, and their sports attire had to maintain a feminine look! The most women would do in sports was spectate not until the 20th Century when women could participate but under strict regulations. Women were subject to naked parades where they would undress and be groped to justify if their genitals were female or male. This was dropped with time. Sports had always been commercialized, but women were considered unworthy of receiving pay or funding, such as the Tennis Grand Slam, which has its roots in the 1970s – a monetary award was presented to both men and women with Ilie Nastase receiving $3,500 and Billie Jean King receiving $600. With the growth of feminist movements and women empowerment groups, reforms have been brought to the table. Women are relatively participating in sports more freely even though the ground hasn’t been fully leveled.
Coach Shillah Omuriwe Buyungo, the Uganda National Men’s Volleyball team coach.
So what’s the fuss about women coaches? Contextualize this as a senior one student getting summoned to take a textbook to the senior six class. There is that immense fear and tension over what could possibly happen or if the student will even deliver the book.
The Senior one student represents women in sports. It can actually pass for women involved in formerly regarded masculine sectors. It calls for confidence to penetrate the patriarchal system that was deeply rooted in many fields. Snaps for the Trail Blazers that have confidently managed to walk in front of the Senior six students and delivered beyond expectations…actually go-ahead to give lessons to the students.
When Coach Liz was finally unveiled as the Head coach of the Morans, many were astounded at how a woman would ably lead a men’s basketball team. A woman in a men’s locker room or at the sideline screaming? No way! It was a no different case for Coach Shilla Buyungo, who was revealed to the World as the National Men’s Volleyball Coach. I don’t think it should have been a surprise as these women have worked for and deserve these positions. Down the road, the Kenya Morans were finally able to qualify for the FIBA Afro Basketball games in Kigali Rwanda, casting out a dry spell after twenty-eight years. The Volleyball Cranes finished 5th in the Africa Volleyball Championships that took place in Kigali, Rwanda. This placed the Uganda Volleyball team as the best team in East Africa. Coach Shilla becomes the first female head coach in African history to head a Men’s National Volleyball Team in the 54 years the games have taken place. Similarly, Coach Liz becomes the first woman to lead a men’s basketball team at a continental level.
Mid this year, Coach Becky Hammon stated, “Please don’t hire me to check a box. That’s the worst thing you can do for me … Hire me because of my skill sets and coaching, who am I as a person, hire me for those.” She was on the verge of becoming a head coach for the Portland Trail Blazers in July during the search for a new head coach. She has served as an Assistant Head coach with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. Reflecting on her statement, it’s impressive to see how women have worked to deserve and have a competitive advantage in sports based on their skill set and qualifications rather than hiring women for purposes of making history.
There is still room for celebrations away from the coaches as women have penetrated sports leadership positions. We witnessed Usher Komugisha and Silalei Shani become the first women duo to commentate for the FIBA Women’s AfroBasketball games in Cameroon. Women referees and umpires have become a common sight at international matches on the continent—shout-outs to Monica Nassuna of Uganda that has outrightly performed excellently in this field.
Silalei Shani (left) and Usher Komugisha at the Women AfroBasketball games in Cameroon.
I recently attended the Makerere University Sports Dinner, where the old sports council was handing over power to the new sports council. I was shaken by the new council that had two men to five women. I am not rejoicing over having few men, but I was happy that women are finally shifting out of their comfort zones to occupy spaces that were formerly not paths taken by women.
There is progress, and it’s not getting withered any time soon. However, we can’t celebrate yet as some individuals still entertain old beliefs. Stories of female head coaches being referred to as assistants or disrespect from officials and other people still make it to the media. It’s high time we set strategies to bring more women into sports leadership come next year, for example, talking of having one of our best and most experienced women’s coaches to head the Uganda National Women’s team.
Monica Nassuna (right) during the officiating of a league game in the Uganda National Basketball League
Women Can. Women Will. Support Women in Sports.
コメント