07 Oct 2020

Inclusion of Hawks club communications officer, Fatma El-Kindiy, in the Rugby Africa #TryAndStopUs campaign will put Botswana rugby in the world map.

El-Kindiy, has made it to the ‘Unstoppables’ top 10, therefore she would be part of Rugby Africa #TryAndStopUs campaign.

Botswana Rugby Union women’s representative, Naledi Dikgomo-Goulden, said the purpose of the campaign was to celebrate women in rugby.

“This will help us to act as a role model, given that she will be recognised beyond borders and she will be in a position to help the union influence women and the girlchild to play rugby,” she said.

Dikgomo-Goulden said women in Botswana would also be recognised even at World Rugby, given that her success story would be in the open for the world to appreciate.

She said the other objective of the campaign was to show that although rugby was perceived as a rough sport, women can also be part of it, hence the name: Unstoppables.

She said this was phase two of the campaign, adding that Botswana did not take part in the first one since the country did not have women commission in the rugby board in Africa.

“I then realised that there was a competition and as Botswana, we looked at how we can take part in the competition,” she said.

Meanwhile, a media release from Rugby Africa says the social media campaign features 12 inspirational women and girls with ‘unstoppable’ qualities and will run over a period of three months. 

It would also showcase the diversity of the continent with ambassadors from Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe; all trailblazers in their very own way with compelling stories.

It says Rugby Africa had called on women to share their inspiring stories to become one of the ‘Unstoppables’ in the campaign. 

The release says over 60 women from 19 countries impressed the judges with their compelling stories of excellence, opportunity and inspiration.

Furthermore, it says Rugby Africa is raising the profile and promoting women in rugby for a sustained change in the perception and diversity of the sport since current data estimates that 26 per cent of the rugby players in Africa are female. 

The release further says an area that needs a special focus is the representation of women coaches and match officials.

 The ‘Unstoppables’ of Rugby Africa is made up of Fatma El-Kindiy, South Africa Springbok 15s Captain Babalwa Latsha, Zimbabwe’s rugby board member, who is also coach of match officials and referee, Abigail Kawonza, Namibia’s coach and TV producer, Christel Janet Kotze, Madagascar’s coach, coach trainer, club founder, Donatienne Rasoampamonjy, a referee from Côte d’Ivoire, Ella Paule Guei, Senegalese Administrator and communication manager, Fatou Camara.

The team also has Ghanaian board member and educator, Rafatu Inusah, Kenyan board member, educator, match official, Peris Mukoko, Ugandan player, Samiya Ayikoru,  Egyptian player, Sanaa Barakat, Tunisian citing commissioner and club president,  Wejdane Limame. ENDS