HARARE (Zimbabwe)- Very few women stand out in the manner with which Zimbabwean FIBA international referee Annie Joyce Muchenu has dominated the officiating of basketball on the African continent.

In fact hers is a confirmation that with the right attitude and commitment, women in sport on the African continent can excel even at the highest level regardless of their gender - something that is a rare occurrence because of the odds stacked against her breed. 

Muchenu has been awarded as the Best Technical Official by The Sports Queen - a Zimbabwean initiative that seeks to tell the struggles and triumphs of women in sport. 

Her tremendous success with the whistle over the last 14 years has earned her recognition at home in Zimbabwe because charity begins at home but she has also seen recognised in southern Africa and world over. 

"I was the first female FIBA referee in Zimbabwe and the first female FIBA Zone Six referee. I was always the only female referee at all locally and international tournaments. From 2007 through to 2011, I never met any female FIBA referee and then in September 2011, I met four female FIBA referees and I was really excited,"Muchenu explained.

"Basketball is my favourite thing in the world. It became my passion. I did play as a small and power forward as well as a centre. I was a good mid-range shooter and I officially started officiating in 2005." 

“"I WOULD LIKE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FEMALE REFEREES IN ZIMBABWE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO WIN MORE ACCOLADES. IT IS FUNNY HOW I WON MORE ACCOLADES AS A REFEREE THAN A PLAYER.”- Muchenu

It was not all rosy for Muchenu when she earned her stripes. She met several challenges but like the star that she is, she overcame them with grace, determination and commitment. 

"In the beginning, I was not accepted in Zimbabwe that I was a FIBA international referee. They always criticised me and there was not much support and no respect."

"I have been harassed physically by coaches and players but through these challenges, they made me who I am right now. I have developed a thick skin and become strong and confident. Over the years, I have earned respect from coaches, players and spectators."

However, there are some advantages to it too. It is not all gloomy in the female corner. 

"I probably officiate more tournaments in Harare and abroad. I receive a lot of advice from my male colleagues but I always have to work twice as hard as the men in everything." 

Muchenu became a FIBA international referee in September 2008 and was nominated to officiate at the FIBA Women's Champions Cup in Nairobi, Kenya the same year.

She has since officiated at big competitions on the African continent including junior and senior tournaments but has also officiated at two All Africa Games (2011 and 2015), three FIBA U17 World Cups, two FIBA U19 World Cups , pre-Olympic Qualifiers and the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. 

Looking forward, Muchenu is dreaming very big. She says, "I would like to increase the number of female referees in Zimbabwe. I would also like to win more accolades. It is funny how I won more accolades as a referee than a player. Finally, I would want to improve on my officiating and work on my weaknesses and become a better referee in 2019." 

For the female referees in Africa, Muchenu is a beacon of hope and inspiration. 

FIBA