FORMER Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) women's league boss Abigail Mnikwa, has confirmed that she is vying for the vice president position as Gerald Sibanda's running mate in the upcoming ZRU elections.
The ZRU elections are scheduled for this Saturday on Africa Day, with former Zimbabwe international rugby player Sibanda expected to contest the presidential election against the incumbent president Aaron Jani and Losson Mtongwiza.
Mnikwa sits on several sports association boards including the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee. She has served in the medical department for a lengthy period including during the time of the legendary Cheetahs speedster and now running mate, Sibanda.
She wants to popularise women rugby and ensure that their welfare is well taken care of just as their male counterparts.
"Give women resources and they can perform to the best of their ability. As I stand before you I don't shy away from the fact that these women will qualify for the Rugby World Cup before the men". Mnikwa said during her camp's election bid launch in Harare last Wednesday.
"Zimbabwe is way ahead of Namibia in terms of structures and organisational skills. We shouldn't be talking about the likes of Kenya and Uganda. Our only bench mark in Africa is South Africa."
Zimbabwe last played at a rugby world cup in 1991 having played at the inaugural edition in 1987.
A renowned sports physiotherapist, Mnikwa has worked with a number of national teams in her just-under two decades of involvement in rugby between 2006 and 2018.
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The vocal Mnikwa is a certified world rugby medical educator and trainer, she cut her teeth in rugby administration following her election as secretary of the Harare Provincial Rugby board 14 years ago.
In 2011, she became a member of the ZRU Women's Rugby Committee, chairing the committee the following year until her recent resignation.
In her youth, Mnikwa, a talented tennis player who had a dance at the World University Games said she was excited to begin the rugby journey at the top echelon of power alongside a winning team.
"I'm excited to be a part of a new beginning, a new project and a team that believes in the power of synergies and values every stakeholder and in particular the players; women, men, juniors and seniors," she added.
"Having worked with Gerald since the days he was a player I have no doubt the same energy, honesty and delivery ability he has exhibited all his life will be the same energy he will give to rugby now as an administrator. Rugby has to be the winner and as the servants of the game we are ready to make a difference."
Sibanda is a former Zimbabwe international and professional rugby player whose illustrious career spanned between 2004 and 2017.
"We are not in competition with anyone. We are coming to carry a blueprint that liberates our people who want to see great things in the game of rugby," Sibanda said.
"Our manifesto is going to be made available to everyone including our competitors for them to see what we are carrying. We are not afraid to be accountable because the game needs proper governance. We are not afraid to align with our government because it's not a Gerald Sibanda Rugby Union, it's ZRU. The game will go to all the 10 provinces of the country."
