Kass Blog: Seizing Opportunities

Sports agent Fola Dokunmu, seen here with Banyana Banyana captain, Portise Modise at the Nike JDI Campaign launch last year, is playing his part in promoting women’s sport in South Africa. Picture: gsport

What an immense pleasure its been compiling gsport’s February Love edition, because it made me realise
that while there are a number battles to be fought in building and rebuilding
women’s sport in South Africa, there are also those people who are driven by
love, and are doing whatever they can to passionately promote our female
athletes.

From our
four exquisite Leading Ladies to the Beauty Queen who loves sport, it’s evident
that South Africa
possesses positive individuals, who refuse to accept life’s limitations, and
instead allow their particular passion to drive their successes.

Whenever
gsport hears of a female sports star securing sponsorship or being signed by a
prominent club, it’s like music to our ears.

Striker Veronica Phewa is one of three Banyana Banyana players who will jet off to the US later this month to join top women’s club FC Indiana.

 
Earlier this week, our office
erupted with joy when sports agent Fola Dokunmu (Director of Sports Midfield Agency) shared the good
news that he had convinced top US outfit FC Indiana to consider signing three
leading Banyana Banyana players, left back Lena Mosebo, striker Veronica Phewa,
and defender Rose Jijane.

The thing
about Fola, who previously secured Banyana Banyana captain Portia Modise’s
professional contract in Denmark,
is that he sincerely cares about women’s sport, and he is passionate about
helping sports women who are talented, driven, and motivated by their love for
sport.

I often hear
sports women complain that nothing is being done to promote women’s sport. My
question is: "What are you doing to build your personal sports brand and to
ensure that you get noticed?". It involves much more than just being good at
playing a sport, it’s about being a confident person, it’s about communicating
well and widely, its about serving as a sports ambassador for yourself, for
your sport and for South
Africa.

That
evolution of your personal game can only really take shape when you decide to
take your sport seriously, and commit to using your love for the game to transform
your brand into a commercially viable product. This makes me think of Clare
Vale, still South Africa’s
only woman racing supercars in the Wesbank Super Series.

Graceful: Racing driver Clare Vale is a great example of someone who cares enough to promote herself and her sport.

 
Clare is
always keeping gsport updated regarding the progress of her career and her pursuit
of sponsors. She has a mailing list of contacts who she regularly updates about
her latest news, whether it’s a media opportunity or a new sponsor, or new
pictures of her car; she keeps those close to her, and people in the media, in
the loop. Not only is she a talented driver, but she knew she had to become her
own PR person.

News doesn’t
just happen: You have to make it happen. If you do not share your news, nobody
will know, which means that no-one will care, and you will continue to lag
behind. Make contacts, ask for advice, and proactively build your brand. There
is a big upswing in women’s sport, and now is the time to show how much you
care about your sport. gsport looks forward to hearing from you and publicising
your wonderful efforts on the sports field.

Until next
time!