Diana Chikotesha is riding the crest of an extraordinary journey since being crowned the African Woman in Sport at the 2024 gsport Awards in Johannesburg, on 12 September, 2024.
Since that night on 12 September, Chikotesha’s story has captivated Zambian media, and accolades have been pouring in to honour her achievements.
The pinnacle of her journey came on 24 October 2024, Zambia’s Independence Day, when she received the President’s Insignia of Honour award from President Hakainde Hichilema. This prestigious award recognises Chikotesha’s contributions to sport as a FIFA referee and an inspiring role model for women in Zambia.
With a career marked by history-making firsts, Chikotesha’s achievements have shown the world what’s possible for women in sport. She became Zambia’s first female on-pitch match official at a men’s Africa Cup of Nations and represented her country as a referee at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Most recently, she was part of the elite 89-strong team officiating at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Knowing she was passing through OR Tambo International Airport en route to officiate at the Cosafa Women’s Championship in Gqeberha, I reached out, and we arranged to meet for coffee. Seeing her poised and strong at the OR Tambo statue, I felt her confidence and her story’s gravity.
“You [gsport] opened the door, and the others followed,” she said as we greeted each other, and over coffee and a long-overdue catch-up, Chikotesha shared how life has changed since the gsport Awards.
“It’s like gsport had a key to my door … From that day when I won the award, things have just been following me. Sometimes I even have to ask myself … ‘Do I deserve this?’ Thank you to gsport, for the recognition. As I said in my speech the last time, you were the first to recognise me.”
2024 gsport African Woman in Sport, Acclaimed Zambian FIFA Referee, Diana Chikotesha
Starting from her early days playing soccer with boys, Chikotesha has risen to officiate on some of the world’s grandest stages. Her honour at the 2024 gsport Awards has propelled her to set new goals.
“I feel so humbled and thrilled at the same time. Being recognised among so many women is not something I should take for granted. Of course, it gives me a vision of working extra hard. I shouldn’t relax. I need to keep on fighting hard so I can achieve more than what I have achieved so far.”
After her gsport honour in September, events accelerated, she went on to win national acknowledgment from Zambia’s president—a crowning moment in her career.
“I was honoured by the President as we celebrated 60 years of independence in Zambia. The Presidential award means a lot for a girl child, for a woman out there—that gender should not determine your success. People are there to watch and see the impact we are making,” she said, reflecting on this incredible recognition.
Photo: Supplied
Now, Chikotesha looks forward to giving back. “I really need to give back to the community. gsport was able to spot me from Zambia and bring me to South Africa, where I was not yet recognised. That effort you made to see potential in me, I now need to mirror in others—to find and uplift the next girl child or woman in sport in Zambia. It’s not all about award-winning Diana; the bigger picture is to think beyond myself and give back.”
We wrapped up our brunch with selfies and a short interview, which you can listen to here, and as I said goodbye, I knew this wasn’t a farewell — just a ‘Until next time!’
The gsport Awards platform is a relentless, year-round pursuit of excellence. Each year, the net is cast wider.
When we introduced the African Woman in Sport award category in 2020, we aimed to share the celebration beyond South Africa’s borders. Since then, winners from Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have graced the gsport stage, bringing their stories to light.
The #gsportAfrica chapter aims to tell more stories that reframe the narrative around women’s sport across the continent. Diana Chikotesha’s recognition—from South Africa to Zambia’s highest accolades — embodies the power of visibility, motivating us at gsport to keep closing the visibility gap for women in African sport.
Photo Caption: Acclaimed FIFA referee Diana Chikotesha has been bestowed with a top honour in her country, when she was honoured with the President’s Insignia of Honour award as Zambia celebrated its Independence Day on Thursday, 24 October 2024. Photo: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Diana Chikotesha was unveiled as the 2024 gsport African Woman in Sport in Johannesburg on Friday, 12 September, 2024. Photo: gsport
Photo 3 Caption: gsport Founder Kass Naidoo and Chikotesha met as Chikotesha was on her way to Gqeberha for COSAFA refereeing duties. Photo: gsport
Photo 4 Caption: The honours bestowed on the acclaimed FIFA Referee consider her work at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photo: Supplied
Photo 5 Caption: The popular referee has many engagements in Africa and at leading sports venues internationally. Photo: Supplied
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