AMIDST discriminating controversy that the world has poured against Zambia’s Women National Team captain, Barbra Banda for winning the 2024 BBC women’s footballer of the year title, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has come to the player’s defence.
The announcement that Banda won the award left many people expressing bias hate and giving out discriminatory and abusive statements on the Orlando Pride striker.
Unfortunately and disappointing, among the many Banda haters and critics is the Harry Potter Author, J.K Rowling who called the player a man, stating that awarding her the trophy is actually disrespectful to women.
Rowling shared her thoughts on X, writing, “Presumably the BBC decided this was more time efficient than going door to door to spit directly in women’s faces.”
But in response to her critic, as well as others such as British Journalist, Julia Hartley-Brewer who called Banda “a male player pretending to be a woman”, FAZ president, Andrew Kamanga said they have sought the help of continental and global football authorities to ensure that punishment is meted out to the perpetrators of race-tinged attack on the player.
Kamanga said in a statement released by FAZ Communications Manager, Sydney Mungala that the association has taken note of a litany of carefully calculated abusive messages towards Banda in light of her BBC Women World Footballer of the Year accolade.
He added that he will explore options to ensure that Banda’s rights as a human being and footballer are protected.
Kamanga said Banda has not only been abused as a human being but also as a footballer which makes it hard for prospective African footballers to aspire for excellence in the game.
He said Football has no space for racial and rights abuse for anyone involved in the game.
The FA president added that despite the harsh messages, the players story serves as an inspiration to many young girls in the third world.
“We cannot congratulate Barbra enough for the many accolades she has won in the women’s game including her recent nomination for the Ballon d’or where she emerged 12th. Barbra is also in the running for the 2024 CAF Women Footballer of the Year, NWSL Most Valuable Player and BBC Women Footballer of the Year,” stated Kamanga.
“The impeccable reputation of world organizations and clubs that have honoured Barbra since she announced her presence on the global stage at the 2014 FIFA Women World Cup, two Olympics (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024) and 2023 FIFA Women World Cup brings into question the motives of those that choose to abuse her each time she scores a global milestone.”
Also rising to Banada’s defence defence, National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Players Association executive director Meghann Burke, gave a sound warning to the Harry Porter writer, alerting her that Banda has a village on her back. “You come for her, you come for all of us.”
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba November 29, 2024
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