Breaking barriers and fostering opportunities for female footballers requires exploring the existing challenges and barriers that hinder their progress, so I caught up with the self-professed voice of women in sports, Jessica Nkomo who described what life looks like through the lenses of a female agent in South-Africa. This is what she revealed:
Who is Aunty Diski and how is she different from Jessica Nkomo?
Aunty Diski is my brand and the face of women in sports. Jessica Nkomo is more of the logical master-mind behind ‘Aunty Diski’
What are the difficulties of being a female agent?
The sports industry is very much a male dominated commercial enterprise. I sit in board rooms full of men and I have to oppose their valuations of a player I represent. I am often undermined for being a woman in these negotiations.
Another challenge is dealing with coaches who try to convince players not to sign with me due to the fact that I will be problematic to their oppressive systems. They usually feel threatened by how vocal I am about making sure that the ladies I represent are not exploited. I am an agent who works mainly with women and there is no money in the female space, this is perhaps one of my biggest challenges. Lots of people think I get so much money. However, it is the complete opposite. Most of these players barely get endorsement deals or sponsorships, so where is the money going to come from?
Did you always want to be an agent?
No but when I met women who shared their heart-breaking stories about their experiences in the sports industry, it felt like a calling to become an entity that fights for them.
How do you see the Hollywood Bets Super League influencing Women’s Football on the continent?
The league is one of the strongest we currently have on the continent. Despite the fact that It is a semi-pro league, I love the way it is currently being run. I believe in a few years’ time it will be a major contributing factor in the national teams’ success.
What is your biggest dream for your brand?
For the brand to start generating enough revenue to look after all its talents. For the brand to embody more corporate partners. For the brand to sign more players. For BSPORTS to be the biggest female sporting agency in the world!
Jessica Nkomo from Mokopane, Limpopo continues to be the epitome of a strong woman who has been moulded by storms she has walked through. The Momentum GSport Awards double winner, Sports Analyst, Sports Content Creator, Motivational Speaker, Athlete Agent and Women in Sports Advocate is certainly on a mission to change the underrepresentation of women leaders in South-Africa’s sports scene.
Don’t forget to watch ‘Aunty Diski’ on Fut-Afrique at 1:30 pm every Saturday on Sabc 1.