Beyond the Finish Line: Zim’s Female Athletes Rede...

Beyond the Finish Line: Zim’s Female Athletes Redefine Life After Sport

Patience Muchemwa- Senior Reporter

For many female athletes, the journey doesn’t end with the final whistle or the last lap around the track.

A growing number of women in sport are proving that the end of competitive play is just the beginning of a new chapter—one filled with purpose, mentorship, and determination.

Former Dynamos Queens player Ivy Talent Sakutombo is one such example. After hanging up her boots, Sakutombo refused to walk away from the sport she loves.

Today, she owns and runs Lions Academy, a football development hub dedicated to grooming the next generation of Zimbabwean talent.

“When I stopped playing, I knew my purpose in football wasn’t over,” Sakutombo says. “Lions Academy is my way of giving back—nurturing young talent and creating the opportunities I wish we had when we were coming up.”

Another trailblazer is Rosemary Mugadza, once a powerhouse on the pitch and now a respected football coach. After serving on the ZIFA Normalisation Committee, Mugadza has turned her focus fully to coaching, contributing her experience and insight to the technical side of the game.

Her presence continues to be felt both on and off the field as she develops strategic frameworks and guides young players with a sharp eye for talent.

Former Mighty Warriors midfielder Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda has remained a formidable presence in Zimbabwean football and currently serves as the head coach of the Mighty Warriors.

Known for her tactical intelligence and calm leadership, Sibanda continues to lead the national team with a focus on rebuilding and empowering the next generation of players.

Her commitment to the game reflects the resilience and passion that define many women in sport beyond their playing days.

As more women move beyond competition, they are finding new ways to stay connected to sport—whether through coaching, mentorship, or media. Some former athletes are now shaping the conversation from the press box, having transitioned into sports reporting.

Their lived experiences on the field provide unique insight and depth to storytelling, helping bridge the gap between athletes and audiences while continuing to uplift women’s sport through powerful journalism.

“Reporting on sport gives me a different kind of adrenaline,” says one former athlete now in the media space. “It allows me to stay close to the game I love, and use my voice to highlight stories that might otherwise go untold—especially those of women who’ve given everything to the sport.”

But while some have successfully transitioned, others find themselves at a crossroads. Mitchell Zuze, a former national sprinter, is one such athlete. After stepping away from the track to focus on her family—she is now married and a proud mother—Zuze is eyeing a comeback. Yet, the path is far from easy.

“I still believe I have more to give on the track,” says Zuze. “But coming back is tough without any sponsorship. I need support to get back into shape, enter competitions, and train properly again.”

Her story is a poignant reminder that talent alone is not enough—support systems, sponsorship, and infrastructure remain critical for athletes attempting comebacks, especially women balancing motherhood and elite sport.