The inaugural COSAFA Awards are finally upon us and set to debut on Thursday, May 9 in the vibrant city of Johannesburg. One name stands out among the esteemed panel of judges – Sandra Mwila, a trailblazing figure in African football hailing from Zambia.
Sandra Mwila is not only a respected figure in football circles but also holds the distinction of being the sole female judge on the panel. Ahead of the historic event, I had the privilege to sit down with Mwila to delve into her perspective, experiences, and the message she wishes to convey to aspiring females eyeing a career in the football industry.
With a distinguished background that includes serving on the La Liga panel of judges, Mwila brings a wealth of expertise and a unique viewpoint to the Cosafa awards panel. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “First and foremost it is humbling to be considered as one of the judges for the inaugural Cosafa awards. I am grateful for the opportunity given.”
“It shows that women have not been overlooked in the process [and] it is just the beginning and a learning phase, it can only get better in the future. Secondly for me I don’t look at it as a gender issue but the capabilities and expertise that one can contribute to the panel to ensure fair and balanced judgement.”
Delving into the criteria for selecting winners, the Zambian esteemed journalist emphasises the need for a comprehensive evaluation that goes beyond mere statis tics and shed light on the standard guiding the selection process for the Cosafa awards. “The criteria that was used was okay as they considered performance at international, regional and local leagues.”
“The criteria that should be used, which I believe is what was used based on names, should be performance, consistency, impact on their team's success, individual skills, contribution to the development of football in their region, Africa and international level. Additionally, their behaviour on and off the field, sportsmanship, and adherence to fair play principles should also be taken into account." she explains.
Drawing parallels between the COSAFA Awards and La Liga accolades, Mwila notes both similarities and distinctions. "To be honest there is no major difference being on the La Liga panel or Cosafa panel, the idea is the same. To judge fairly based on the performance of the players and coaches." she observes. "Being on the La Liga panel for selecting Africa's Most valuable player equipped me with more understanding of the game and criteria for evaluating player performance"
In closing, Mwila offered a powerful message to aspiring females eager to carve a path in the football industry. "As a woman in football, my advice to young female journalists, coaches, and administrators is to first believe in yourself. If others have done it, you can equally do it and even better. Embrace your passion, knowledge, and dedication to the sport.”
“Be confident in your abilities, continually seek opportunities for growth and learning, and never underestimate the power of networking and building strong relationships within the football community. Stay resilient in the face of challenges and obstacles, and always strive to be a positive role model for others. Your success paves the way for more women to excel in football, so inspire and uplift those around you by being the best version of yourself. Don't be in a competition with anybody. Be in your own race at your own pace."
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