As the world marks Mother’s Day, attention turns to the women whose dedication and sacrifices quietly shape the journeys of young athletes. Behind many rising sports stars are mothers who provide not only financial support but also emotional strength, discipline, and constant encouragement.

From buying sporting equipment and finding transport money to comforting children after defeat, mothers remain the often-unseen foundation of many sporting success stories.

Julian Botoman is one such parent. Her son Blessing captains the Under-20 national handball team while also serving as vice headboy at his school — a balance she says fills her with pride.

“Watching Blessing balance leadership in both academics and sport gives me a deep sense of pride and happiness as a mother. Seeing him serve as both the Under-20 national handball team captain and vice headboy shows me that his hard work, discipline, and determination are paying off,” she said.

Botoman acknowledged that supporting a young athlete requires significant sacrifice.

“As a parent, I have played a major role in supporting Blessing’s handball journey by encouraging him to remain disciplined, focused, and committed to both school and sport. However, this journey has also required sacrifices, especially financially and in terms of time,” she explained.

She believes sport is helping mould her son into a responsible and confident young leader.

“Through sport, he is developing leadership, teamwork, resilience, and communication skills that will help him in the future beyond handball,” she added.

Merciline Isa shares a similar experience supporting her son Devine Muchemwa, a footballer at Legends Academy who is also a senior prefect preparing for Grade Seven examinations.

“As a mother, I make sure he has all the training equipment needed and follows the perfect diet for sport. I also ensure that he balances school, leadership duties, and football,” she said.

Isa said she continues to pray for her son’s dream of playing in the English Premier League one day.

For Rumbidzai Kalomo, supporting her daughter Clarah Karimatsenga, a handball player, has come with both financial and emotional challenges, particularly as a girl pursuing sport.

“I have supported her financially by providing sporting equipment such as shoes and training gear, as well as assisting her when she attended club trials,” Kalomo said.

She added that emotional support has been equally important.

“Sometimes I had to stand up for her when she got bullied for her sport and provide emotional support. As a mother, those are some of my major contributions,” she said.

Shylet Nyengeterai Nyandoro, mother to female footballer Kerrlyn Tawananyasha Muchazivepi, said watching her daughter play brings immense pride.

“As a mother, seeing my daughter play football brings me joy and pride because it teaches her discipline, confidence, and perseverance. I always encourage her to work hard both at school and on the field because education and sport can go hand in hand. My greatest wish is to see her achieve her dreams and grow into a strong and successful young woman,” she said.

Meanwhile, Abigail Chimbumu reflected on the challenges facing women’s football in Zimbabwe while speaking about her daughter Diana Jairos. Despite supporting her daughter throughout her junior and A-Level years, injuries and limited opportunities in the women’s game shifted the family’s focus toward education.

“She used to support me from junior level up until A-Level, but now she is no longer interested because of injuries and because women’s football is not developing much in Zimbabwe,” Diana said.

As Mother’s Day is celebrated, these stories highlight the powerful but often unrecognised role mothers play in nurturing talent. 

Beyond the medals and match victories are women who invest time, resources, and unwavering belief — helping young athletes chase dreams while building character for life beyond sport.