• ZAMBIA’S boxing heroine, Esther Phiri (right) receives an award from Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe at Barboufields Stadium, Bulawayo on Sunday for her contributions to sport development in Africa. Picture by SHAMAOMA MUSONDA

By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA In Bulawayo –
BOXING heroine Esther Phiri and renowned sports administrator Matilda Mwaba were on Sunday among various sports personalities that were honoured by the Africa Union Sports Council (AUSC) for their contribution to the development of sport.
The two were conferred with the honours by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe during the official opening of the 2014 AUSC Region Five Youth Games at Barboufields Stadium in Bulawayo.
Esther was honoured with the medal of Honour for Distinguished Service for her contribution to boxing and also putting the region on the world map.
AUSC secretary general, Mvuzo Mbebe said Esther was a world class boxer who had conquered the sphere of the sport mainly dominated by men and went on to conquer the world.
“She has been an outstanding ambassador of sport. Coming from a region where boxing has been dominated by men, Esther managed to overcome that odd by joining the sort and going high up to be world champion.
She has represented the region very well and next week gets back to the ring (to fight Jennifer Faccio of Uruguay) and we wish her all the best,” he said.
Esther expressed happiness with the honour and receiving the symbol of her recognition from an African icon leader in Mugabe.
“This is so great. I feel humbled to have been given this award because I have really worked hard and such recognition and having been conferred by Mr Mugabe is a great feeling. Its all down to hard work and I would like to encourage all sports men to work hard and be disciplined,” she said.
Mwaba, who is National Organisation for Women in Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation (NOWSPAR) director, was honoured for her contribution to sports in administration.
She said the award will just motivate her to work harder especially in the community and development of sport.
“This actually will be a motivation for me because when we are working, we don’t do it to get rewarded but when people notice you, identify you, look through your work and then honour you, makes you feel good that your contribution to society is been appreciated,” she said.
Mwaba added that she will always remain passionate about what she has been doing and that she will continue advocating for the development of sports especially for women.