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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
OVERCOMING stereotypes and dreaming big has enabled sports scientist and physical fitness instructor Khanyile Dlamini to continue breaking boundaries in the country’s sport industry.

Dlamini (40) is a holder of the FIVB Level 1 coaching certificate as well as a sports science degree from the National University of Science and Technology and has been applying her knowledge and expertise in different sports.

She is the Zifa physical fitness instructor for Bulawayo province and was at the Cosafa Under-17 and Under-20 men’s championship last year in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), South Africa as a referee’s physical fitness instructor and Covid-19 compliance officer.

In June 2018, Dlamini was appointed the first female National League chairperson of the Zimbabwe Volleyball Association (ZVA).

She has coached and managed volleyball teams such as Highlanders Ladies and the Bulawayo Youth Games volleyball sides.

Despite the occupational stereotypes associated with the sports industry in the country, Dlamini has excelled and is now among the widely travelled sports officials in Zimbabwe.

“One of the greatest diseases we have as a society is to worry about what people will say before deciding to do something. That has prevented most people, particularly women, from achieving their goals,” said Dlamini.

“I have been a sportsperson throughout my life. From my primary school days all the way to tertiary education, l have always loved sport.

For me, life in sport has been a mixed bag. I believe life is 10 percent of what happens to me and 90 percent of how I react to it.

“A lot has happened in my journey in sport, some of it good, some of it not so good, but that has not stopped me from pursuing my dreams.

But again, every journey is different, every woman has a unique story, depending on one’s background. So, I can’t speak for all women because we are different. But 90 percent of what I have faced are things I could handle,” she said.

Dlamini says it is high time women in sport are taken more seriously.

“The world is dynamic, things are changing, more so with this lockdown life has changed. Women in sport are being taken more seriously.

Everything begins with a dream; you need to self-introspect and follow your heart’s desire and determine your career path and not what society prescribes for you. I can’t say I know how society views me because people don’t come and talk to you, although you do get that odd person who will come and say things to you. But generally, I cannot say I know how society views me.

“Some are proud to see women do things that were traditionally performed by men while some will question women who dare venture into men’s stuff,” Dlamini said.

She is now pursuing a diploma in sports nutrition as well as a strength conditioning diploma. — @innocentskizoe