There are moments in sports journalism when recognition goes beyond an individual. For Zaabu Sports, the recognition of Kamira Asha as Female Media Personality at the 2026 Women in Football Symposium was one of those moments.
Held on Wednesday, 9 September at Skyz Protea Hotel in Kampala, the symposium brought together players, coaches, referees, administrators, sponsors, media professionals and other stakeholders committed to the growth of women’s football in Uganda, but amid the conversations about the future of the women’s game, one moment stood out for the media fraternity the decision to recognise journalists who have consistently contributed to giving women’s football the visibility it deserves.
Kamira Asha, a photographer with Zaabu Sports, was among the media professionals recognised alongside Mulangwa Ismail of Bukedde Paper and Makhtum Muziransa of Daily Monitor, for our newsroom, however, this was more than an award. It was a recognition of the work that happens behind the lens, beyond the headlines and away from the spotlight.
Behind every image is a story
Women’s football continues to grow in Uganda, but growth cannot happen on the pitch alone, the game needs people who document it, tell its stories, preserve its memories and make its achievements visible to audiences that may never have the opportunity to watch a match from the stands. That is where sports photographers such as Kamira come in working with Zaabu Sports, Kamira has continued to capture the moments that define women’s football — from the intensity of competition to the emotion of victory, the disappointment of defeat and the determination of players who continue to pursue their dreams.
Photography can sometimes be treated as an accessory to sports journalism. It is not. A powerful image can tell a story before a single word is read. It can introduce a player to a new audience, preserve a historic moment and give visibility to competitions and athletes that might otherwise receive limited attention. Kamira’s recognition therefore speaks to the importance of visual storytelling in building the profile of women’s football.
And as a woman working in sports media, her achievement carries another important message: there is space for women to shape the narrative of sport, not only as athletes and administrators, but also as journalists, photographers and storytellers.
At Zaabu Sports, we take particular pride in seeing one of our own recognised on a platform dedicated to advancing women’s football. Kamira did not receive the recognition simply because she is a woman in sports media. She earned it through the work she has consistently put into documenting and promoting the game, her achievement is a reflection of the dedication required to work in sports media — showing up, covering events, finding the right frame, telling stories and ensuring that athletes receive the visibility they deserve.
For our team, seeing her name among the recognised media personalities was therefore a proud reminder that the work of a newsroom can extend far beyond publishing stories.
It can contribute to changing how sport is seen.
Women’s football needs the media
One of the strongest messages from the symposium was the call for the media to play a greater role in promoting women’s football.
FUFA 2nd Vice President Dr. Azah Taibu emphasised that the development of the women’s game involves an entire ecosystem — players, coaches, referees, mentors, administrators, sponsors, fans and the media, that message is particularly important at a time when women’s football is seeking greater investment, stronger commercial partnerships and increased professionalisation, visibility matters.
Sponsors need to see an audience, players need their stories told, young girls need role models they can identify with, clubs need their competitions covered and the achievements of women in football need to become part of the wider sporting conversation. This is why the work of media professionals such as Kamira matters, her camera is not simply recording what happens, it is helping build the archive and identity of Uganda’s women’s football.
The symposium also brought important conversations around the future of players away from the pitch. Finance Trust Bank Managing Director Annet Mulindwa Nakawunde reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to women’s football while encouraging players to embrace financial planning and saving. Bank of Uganda’s Pumla Nabachwa similarly emphasised financial independence and the importance of developing a saving culture.
Those conversations are crucial because professionalising women’s football must mean creating opportunities that extend beyond match day, players need financial literacy, career pathways, commercial opportunities and an environment where their work is valued both on and off the pitch. The same principle applies to the wider football ecosystem, recognition of referees, coaches, administrators, fans and media professionals demonstrates that the women’s game is being built by many hands.
A celebration worth acknowledging
Zaabu Sports appreciates the organisers and sponsors of the Women in Football Symposium for recognising the people who continue to contribute to the development of the women’s game. The recognition of Kamira Asha is particularly meaningful to us, we are proud to call her one of our own, and even prouder to see her work acknowledged on a platform that brought together some of the most important voices in Ugandan women’s football.
Her award belongs to her, but it is also an encouragement to every young woman picking up a camera, microphone, notebook or recorder and choosing to tell stories from the world of sport. The message is clear: your work matters.
Women’s football needs more than players.
It needs storytellers.
It needs photographers.
It needs journalists.
It needs women who are willing to stand on the touchline, enter the mixed zone, ask the difficult questions, capture the defining moments and ensure that the achievements of women in football are not overlooked, Kamira Asha is doing exactly that and at Zaabu Sports, we are proud to be part of her journey.
The Women in Football Symposium 2026 may have celebrated the achievements of the 2025/26 season, but for us, Kamira’s recognition represents something bigger — a reminder that when women’s football rises, everyone who contributes to its story deserves to be seen too.
Courtesy Photo
