PEARL DELIVERS E2M FROM IBA

Sport is not only for men but women as well.

Men can only dominate in numbers, but the opposite gender has really come of age when it comes to sports participation and physical activity like road running, walking and hitting the gym. Who are the ladies working out and living it as their daily lifestyle? This space is generally to profile and highlight them to the world as they share their passion for sports and physical transformation. Enjoy the read as we bring you Pearl Dlamini, the former Eswatini Boxing Association (EBA) President, who also holds other top sports positions locally and internationally. She has delivered at least E2 million for Eswatini in boxing equipment and training sponsorship for boxer Thabiso Dlamini in Russia.

1. Tell us who is Pearl Dlamini? “I would define Pearl as a loving mother to three children and proud bride of the late Prince Masitsela as I’m married to his senior son, Prince Vusumango. I am also an ERS employee, where I hold the position of Director of Programme Office.”
2. How did you get into boxing and when? Is your only passion in sports? “My late father Felix Lucky Muir owned a boxing club called New Boys Boxing Club in Ezulwini, so when he passed on, I took the club directorship and since then I’ve never looked back. I’d always be with the club in training so I grew my passion like that. I was appointed member of SWABA a few years on, then became Secretary General for eight years before taking the presidency for nine years.”
3. Were you ever a boxer or athlete in any sport in your youth years? “I’ve never been a boxer but would go train with the boxers. Otherwise, I was an athlete and a good sprinter for my school, I even represented it in regionals and nationals. I also played soccer for Ezulwini Sun Youth Club as a midfielder, so I’ve always been in sports.”
4. As a married administrator, who has also got big international appointments in the world boxing space, is your husband supportive, and are your children and husband involved in any sport? “Yes, my family is very supportive. In fact, it all came from my father-in-law who even prayed for me when I was going for the IBA appointment. My husband is also into boxing as he opened a club in the army and is now even a qualified boxing judge. My son is a cricket person but also into soccer and karate. My parents, siblings and everyone close to me are all so supportive.”
5. What has been your highlight so far since your IBA Board appointment as the only female member? “I think as the only female member elected to the IBA Board, I was given the task to map out a strategic plan for Africa, for which interventions would be implemented. It was a successful year as I managed to get IBA to have the African Championships with good prize money when we had not had them in a while, brought equipment to all African countries and personally, I did for Eswatini equipment worth E1 million which was launched and presented to the association. We also earned Thabiso scholarship to train in Russia which is also worth E1 million.”
6. What is your position and role at EOCGA? “I was the Vice President in the previous board but now I am a member of the board and also the chairperson of Gender Equity Committee and accredited sports administration lecturer.”
7. If you were to be the country’s Sports minister, what would you change given the low national budget allocation of E19 million? “If could be, I fail to understand why we still don’t have a Sports Bill. That would be my first thing, get it passed into an Act because, with it, things would be so simpler for sports, especially because we are talking about professionalising sport. I’d ensure we share resources, develop programmes and partnerships to share training facilities, administration courses, there’s just plenty, just give me the job (jokingly said).”
8. Lastly, there are reports you were involved in a car accident just last week. Tell us about that? “I was lucky God stood by me. I got disturbed by another car yet it was raining on the day. When I tried to avoid hitting the car that suddenly hit the brakes right in front of me, my car veered off the road to hit a pole but I’m fine and have recovered now. I got minor bruises.”

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: