WHEN it seemed like the fate of eight-year-old Emma Mukwabila of Kasaka village in Itezhi-Tezhi District was in oblivion after she lost both parents at a tender age.
The pain and anguish that comes with losing bread winners was easily quenched by the spirit of sport, the world of sports provided a new chapter in her life.
A glimmer of hope in the life of this girl dawned in 2010 when she was taken in from Itezhi-Tezhi to Livingstone by the SOS Children’s Village, a non-governmental organisation that looks after orphaned children with branches across the country.
Four years later, Mukwabila has transformed in what might be Zambia’s useful arsenal in sports as she has turned into one of the most promising young athletes.
Now 12 years old, Mukwabila who resides at the Livingstone SOS Village where she also pursues her education, has found solace in athletics after putting behind the sad memories of the past.
She remembers little about the demise of her parents as she was a toddler at the time and she was uncomfortable to discuss the issue with the author, but as the SPECTRUM strives to bring out the positives in the country’s emerging stars, the attention was on her involvement in sports.
Just as whispers of the decline of the traditional sprinters in the likes of Rachael Nachula begin to grow louder, a sprinter like Mukwabila comes along to reassure us all that this exceptional art form is not yet lost to olden days.
Spotted by SOS school teacher Ezel Sakala, who discovered her sporting potential when she arrived in Livingstone as an eight-year old, Mukwabila’s eyes are set for greatness.
“I first started participating in sports activities back in Kasaka Village in Itezhi-Tezhi but it was just community sports with my friends but I had a dream of being a successful athlete,” Mukwabila said. “When I went to Livingstone, I found that most of the pupils at SOS school were committed to sports, that was my opportunity to exploit my potential and with motivation from my teacher Sakala, I did it up to now.”
Remember the name, Mukwabila and if one hasn’t heard of this name in the athletics circles, Sooner or later, they will.
Dubbed the “female version” of the world’s fastest sprinter Usain Bolt of Jamaica, the ambitious young runner is set for stardom.
Mukwabila is multi-talented as she is a key member of the SOS school and Southern Province football teams besides being a force to reckon with in sprint.
But the 100 and 200-metre sensation seems to be enjoying a track career and now the fiercely-competitive Zambia Schools Sports Association (ZASSA) championships have lured her to the national teams.
Mukwabila, who has been steadily improving since making her debut for Southern Province at the 2010 Inter-provincial athletics competition where she was the youngest participant, has showed indications of obvious potential of a future champion.
Her rise to stardom is one of the rare occurrences where natural talent meets someone who is motivated to perform better.
Though Mukwabila is young, she is a major factor for Zambia in the tracks as she keeps on harnessing the power in her pace.
The young athlete has featured in the annual Inter-provincial athletics competition for four consecutive years and during this year’s championship, she was an integral part of the defending champions, Southern Province team, winning the under13 girls 200-metre race for the region.
Southern Province Schools Sports Association (SPSSA) chairperson Kenneth Simasiku says, “Looking at what she has gone through in life, it is only fair that she excels in sport, she has been a very important member of our provincial team. She will be a great athlete for the country in future.”
If the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is looking for young soccer players to replace the current under-17 girls’ national team once the players graduate to senior sides, then Mukwabila is a real deal.
She is a graceful playmaker and her ability to unlock defences is one of the most captivating in all of her game play.
Mukwabila plays as a midfielder and she was not a surprise inclusion in the provincial team during the 2012 ZASSA competition in which she found the back of the net in her debut match against Lusaka province.
Even though her region suffered an early exit from the competition, still, the experience of participating at such a tournament left her with the confidence that she could compete with the world’s best.
According to her football coach Brian Hamwami, a teacher at Kaleya West Basic School in Mazabuka, there is something mesmerising about watching a Mukwabila in full control of a match and she is smart at deciding when to pass or shoot, when to run and when to pause for half a beat to throw defenders off track.
“I have been her coach for two years and I have seen what she is capable of on the pitch. In 2012, during the team selection for Southern Province in Livingstone, Emma showcased her talent and exploits in football,” Hamwami, who is also SPSSA vice secretary said. “I did not hesitate to draft in the team and from that time, she has improved tremendously and she has a bright future because of her age.”
“Emma’s does not like losing a game and that has helped her develop strong mental character and I have no doubt that she will go long way in her football career,” Hamwami said.
The 12-year-old has already donned national colours. In 2012, she was drafted in team Zambia during the Confederation of Schools Sport Associations of Southern Africa (COSSASA) ball games staged in Namibia, where she participated in sprint and football at the age of 10 years.
A year later, Mukwabila was again part of the Zambian contingent that took part at the COSSASA competition that was held in Zimbabwean capital, Harare.
This girl lost her parents at a tender age, and has spoken of her belief that she is being watched over from above. No doubt she is already doing the Southern Province and nation proud, yet one gets the impression that there is much more in store for the youngster.
She is an example of great talent that can transcend the medal drought that has eluded Zambia.
It is therefore important for the corporate world to take keen interest in providing the necessary support for these vulnerable young stars to achieve their full potential in sports. National sports bodies also must not only concentrate on places along the line of rail to tap talent, but they should cast their nets wider to the rural areas. Zambia has got talent.
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