Joyce Kapota: A Trailblazer in Sports Leadership

Gilbert Munetsi - Zim Now Writer

In the high-stakes world of sports leadership, few figures command respect and admiration quite like Joyce Kapota. A trailblazer in Zimbabwean football administration, she has spent over a decade redefining the role of women in sport, championing professionalism, and reshaping the narrative of inclusivity in an industry long dominated by men.

Despite falling short in her bid for the Zimbabwe Football Association vice presidency, Kapota demonstrated an extraordinary level of sportsmanship. In a rare show of grace, she congratulated the winners and reaffirmed her commitment to the game.

“Congratulations to all the candidates who made it today. I feel proud to have stood alongside giants in our land. Well done to you all. It was a learning curve, and many worthwhile lessons were learnt. I remain a football administrator and will work tirelessly to improve our Zimbabwean sport. The vision remains to professionalize our football,” she wrote on social media.

Her resilience and unwavering focus have solidified her position as a formidable force in sports administration. Kapota is not just a leader; she is a visionary determined to elevate Zimbabwean football to global standards.

A passionate personality in sport and a patriot, she reckons, “Zimbabwean football is brimming with insane potential and yearns for visionary, pragmatic, ethical and balanced leadership to help it reach the heights of achievements it's true potential deserves.

“Over time, it has always been my wish to inspire not just women but anyone excluded from pursuing and attaining their legitimate desires. I aspire to motivate more women to take up space in industries that have traditionally remained the domain of men.

“My desire is to help expand options for them and create role models for the younger generations. Through my work I hope to create more avenues that women can look up to and make them see and believe that they can lead at the highest level in industries traditionally not their domain,” Kapota philosophically says.

Born and raised in Highfield, Zimbabwe, Kapota’s journey into football was anything but conventional. Educated at Mutasa Primary School and later Langham in Mvurwi, her early years were marked by an insatiable drive to succeed.

Her professional trajectory took a decisive turn while working in the hospitality industry. A chance encounter with then CAPS United Football Club coach Sean Connor at the Crowne Plaza Hotel led her to apply for a position as the club’s Communications Manager—a role that would mark the beginning of an illustrious career in football administration. At Makepekepe, she was instrumental in developing the first football club mobile app in Zimbabwe, demonstrating her forward-thinking approach to fan engagement and sports commercialization.

Since then, Kapota has worn many hats—strategist, advocate, and trailblazer. Her impact has extended beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, with key roles on international platforms. As a former member of the ZIFA Football Restructuring Committee, she played a crucial role in shaping governance policies. She has also taken centre stage at global summits, including the prestigious Common Goal ‘Football for Sustainability’ Summit in Berlin, Germany.

A graduate of the French class at the Alliance Française de Harare, she also had the opportunity to travel with FC Platinum for their African safari assignment against Esperence in Tunisia as translator.

Currently, Kapota is the Founder and CEO of Amor’ Sport Consultancy and Amor’ Sport Foundation, organisations committed to the commercialization and professionalization of local sports. She also holds key positions, serving as a judge for the Zimbabwe Annual National Sports Awards and a member of the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League Club Licensing Committee.

As one of Zimbabwe’s leading advocates for women’s football, Kapota’s influence is felt far beyond the pitch. Her Master’s research at the Johan Cruyff Institute focused on raising awareness of women’s football in Zimbabwe, a cause she continues to champion.

“I’ve always been a firm believer of the boundless potential of a determined, dedicated and driven individual. Limitations are meant to be breached, stereotypes are meant to be challenged and ceilings are meant to give us targets to exceed. My own personal and football journey has been a testament to these ideals. I have managed to not only find my feet but to thrive, blossom and excel in a profoundly challenging yet exhilarating male dominated industry,” she adds.

Her strategic mind and research acumen earned her recognition when she won the FIFA/CIES University Best Project Award at Nelson Mandela University, focusing on governance in African football associations.

Kapota’s academic and professional credentials are as extensive as her experience. Holding a Master’s in Sport Business from the Johan Cruyff Institute, an Executive Programme in Sport Management (FIFA/CIES), and multiple diplomas in hospitality, communications, and business administration, she is a powerhouse of knowledge in both sport and corporate strategy.

She revealed that due to cognisance of her influence, impact and passion, and considering her experience and expertise, skills, knowledge and social capital, she made the decision to stand for in the past election as ZIFA Vice President.

“I may not have made it in the election, but my objective remains to influence football policy at the highest echelons in order to benefit marginalized and excluded demographics as well as reigniting the nation interest in our football.”

Beyond football, she has worked in hotel management, sports marketing, and corporate communications, including roles with Special Olympics Zimbabwe and Crowne Plaza Monomotapa Hotel. She is also a certified FIFA Guardians Safeguarding Specialist, ensuring the protection of athletes at all levels.

Armed with a Resume that is as long as the arm, Kapota is not just breaking records—she is paving the way for future generations of sports administrators, women in football, and visionary leaders in African sport.

Unarguably, it is a fact that with sustainability, commercialisation, and women’s empowerment at the heart of her mission, Joyce Kapota is undeniably a game-changer in Zimbabwean and African sports. And whether on the pitch, in the boardroom, or on the global stage, her impact is one that will be felt for generations to come.