SAMANTHA MIYANDA
“Inequality inspired me to get into sport leadership, so that many other young girls would not experience what I did.”
Meet Samantha Miyanda, the regional General Secretary for the Football Association Zambia (Lusaka Province), and the founder of the Girls Sports Mentorship. Her passion for sports and promoting inclusion for women in sports began at a young age, inspired by her own experiences of discrimination as a child playing football.
A TEAM EFFORT IN SAMANTHA’S JOURNEY
“I have had a number of people play pivotal roles in my journey. As an athlete I had my grandma and coach Joshua Mazimba and as a professional I have Mrs Bessie Chelemu.”
AN INFLUENTIAL SPORTING MOMENT
“When I joined the football team at OYDC, the girls team was not treated equally to the boys. The gils would train on a small part of the pitch and they were the last to be considered for proper equipment. This inequality inspired me get into sport leadership, so that many other young girls would not experience what I did.
The message I want to leave behind is for young girls to be inspired by my story: trust the process, believe in yourself, and know that anything is attainable if you put your mind to it.
Sports provide a safe space for many young people, especially those from vulnerable groups. Through sports, every woman—regardless of her background or level of education—can achieve financial stability. They just need to be given a chance, opportunities, and mentorship."
REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
"In the past, sportswomen were not well represented in the media. However, with the Zambian football team participating in major international competitions, women’s sports have seen a significant shift, with increased media coverage. I hope the media continues to focus on women’s athleticism and avoids stereotyping female athletes."
SAMANTHA’S ADVICE FOR YOUNG GIRLS
"I want to advise young girls to take their education seriously. There is so much power in gaining knowledge in the profession you aspire to work in, and having academic qualifications opens up vast opportunities. Lastly, while the sports industry is male-dominated, women should never feel that they don’t belong or that they can’t achieve their goals because of their gender."
THE GIRLS SPORT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Founded by Samantha in 2017, the initiative empowers girls in sports to become leaders by pairing them with influential female mentors. Additionally, the program supports women in sports by offering non-collateral small business loans, flexible payment plans, and mentorship to help grow their businesses. These efforts aim to reduce the dropout rate of women in sports due to economic challenges and promote gender equality both on and off the field.
