Ali Sundowns FC female board member stout for football

“I don’t listen to taunts from football supporters who despise women attending football matches as I know it’s all about entertainment and players in the field”, said Chiedza Ali, a board member of Ali Sundowns in Harare Province Soccer League (HPSL).

.Chiedza Ali, a board member of Ali Sundowns owned by her father Desmond Ali in a sideline interview at the HPSL’s 2021 Annual General Meeting(AGM) revealed that she had been following the game of football passionately since around 15 years of age.” My father has a strong interest of football so since Ali Sundowns was formed in 2006, I had been attending the matches and was absent some years when I was in United Kingdom”, she told our writer.Ali Sundowns was formed in 2006 as an academy and later joined the Division 2 league.It is based in Mabvuku.

The 27- year-old is with currently working for an advertising company called FreecomAD.Her presence at the AGM was recognized at the AGM as the salutation on the day was, “A lady and gentleman”.

Although she is less than a month in her position, she has great plans for her team” My future plans are to expand Ali Sundowns so that we can have a women side and to have players playing at international level”, she said.She has already scored a seat with ZIFA Marketing Team.

Asked if it wasnot a tiresome task to be leading men she said it just needs discipline and condidents.I grew up a sportsperson as I was an all- rounder in sports at school “, she added.She encouraged other women to break new ground in the industry where men are dominant.” Women should not be discouraged that it is an industry dominated by males.Women should strive and be passionate about everything they would be doing”, she said.

In the country , few women have made names in the football circles’ technical departments.There is Chido Chizondo FC Platinum Public Relations Executive,Yvonne Tendai Mangunda  former Marketing and Communications Manager at Dynamos Football Club. and Tafadzwa Chikasha the only female physiotherapist in the top flight at Herentals FC.