NATIONAL SPORTS COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA STATEMENT REGARDING UNWARRANTED ATTACKS ON BARBRA BANDA
Firstly, we wish to congratulate to Barbra Banda for winning this year’s BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year Award.
Barbra continues to be one of Zambia’s top female athletes who continues to inspire countless people in Zambia and beyond. Her journey to stardom and global fame continues to be celebrated by many comes. Barbra’s new achievement comes at a time when many women across the world face numerous issues that are deterrent to their development. As we continue to commemorate 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, it is heroines like Barbra who selflessly strive to give us encouragement that there’s no obstacle that is insurmountable. She remains a beacon of hope to many women and girls who are mostly vulnerable, in a society that offers very little opportunities for them to thrive.
Following the winning of the BBC Award, Barbara has come under attack, an ill intended act orchestrated by some foreign tabloids. The unsubstantiated claims being peddled by certain individuals could be considered abusive and border around hate speech towards the global icon. It is saddening that some of these attacks are being championed by fellow women who should be in the forefront standing with Barbra and commending her for her recent success. It is further disturbing that the attackers include women who are global influencers.
The unjustified attacks on the global star are in clear contrast to the many local and international accolades she has won as a female footballer because of her exceptional performance in major events such as the World Cup and Olympic Games. Her participation in such major events is a testament and confirmation of global governing bodies’ unconditional approval of her inclusion in major competitions.
The harmful conversations and accusations on Barbra Banda are not new and we anticipate more to come in future. We, therefore, urge her to stand strong and not to be deterred by individuals with ill motives. We encourage our beloved icon to continue on the path of success as she continues to inspire other women and girls across the world.
As National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) that represent over 50 National Sports Federations including the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to which Barbra subscribes, we wish to strongly condemn the undue attacks on ouri heroine. We call on those that aim to hinder her progress to end their unwarranted attacks forthwith. In addition, we wish to call on the global community to take a strong stance against hate speech and protect athletes like Barbra and others facing similar challenges.
We stand with Barbra. While working in solidarity with FAZ, we will do all we can within our power to ensure her rights are preserved. We will, as we have done in the past, stand with her now and in the future.
Sombwa Musunsa
DIRECTOR/CEO
NATIONAL SPORTS COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA