The Sunday Mail
Ishemunyoro Chingwere
WARRIORS legend and Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) secretary general Paul Gundani was laid to rest at Kwekwe Central Cemetery yesterday afternoon in the grand style befitting a hero.
Gundani, who is survived by his wife Hazvinei and five children, died Wednesday last week after a short illness.
The big names in Zimbabwean football, led by the Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane, descended on the mining town to bid farewell to the humble “Locomotive”.
Minister Hlongwane said the passing on of the “Locomotive” was not only a loss to the Gundani family but the nation at large.
“His passing on has plunged the entire sports movement into mourning,” he said.
“We often speak of heroes in various spectrums of life but if we are to speak about the struggle to have our players get a better life beyond their playing careers, Paul is a war veteran.”
The Minister said the Gundani family should find solace in that Government will make sure that the struggle for players’ rights will be carried forward.
Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze hailed the fiery trade unionist that Gundani was and told of the hell he endured battling the departed Warriors legend after the association’s decision to ban players from football for their alleged role in the Asiagate match fixing scandal.
“Paul was a tough bargainer who would represent the interest of hapless players to the hilt without taking any prisoners. His death is punctuation in the story of Zimbabwean football,” said Mashingaidze.
FUZ president Desmond Maringwa, who worked hand in glove with Gundani, broke down as he bid farewell to his departed colleague.
“I stand before you to give a speech on behalf of FUZ, a responsibility which if Paul was here would have taken up. I don’t know how I will manage without his help. Who am I going to call in times of need?
“Paul was a massive football resource man who sacrificed his all, including family time to serve the passion he so dearly loved,” said Maringwa.
Gundani’s elder brother Jewel said the family had lost a breadwinner and doyen of love and respect.
“Paul did things which nobody else in the family could do, he was our shining beacon.
If you visited his house you could mistake it for a pre-school because everybody would take their children to him because they knew he would take good care of them.
“Anybody who would have financial problems, the first person they would call was Paul and never at anytime did he fail us,” said Jewel.
The burial was also attended by Warriors coach Kalisto Pasuwa, former Warriors skipper Benjani Mwaruwari, former Zifa board member John “JP” Phiri, Caps United legend Dumisani Mpofu, premier league chief executive Kenny Ndebele, Zifa presidential aspirant Philip Chiyangwa, politicians and football fans.
See also Extra Page 5
