The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) should spearhead the renovation of stadiums, as well as establish a state-of-the-art training centre for all national teams.
This is one of the major recommendations made by the ZIFA Restructuring Committee in a report that was made public by Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa last week.
The committee was set up by the SRC in December 2021 following the suspension of the Felton Kamambo-led board, which was accused of running the national game into the ground. The report was produced after nationwide consultations.
“ZIFA should be at the forefront, either with FIFA’s assistance or through effective lobbying of Government and local authorities, of developing facilities that encourage use for football games at a professional and recreational level,” the committee said. Currently, Zimbabwe has no football stadium that is deemed fit to host international matches. However, there is a facility at FIFA that allows member associations to apply for funds to build stadiums.
While a number of African associations have national training centres where their national teams camp and train ahead of matches, the ZIFA Village has become a white elephant.
“There should be a FIFA-rated national training centre. ZIFA Village is not fit for purpose,” added the report.
The committee, which was chaired by Blessing Rugara, also recommended that Government should fund the Warriors and Mighty Warriors.
In some instances, previous ZIFA administrations had to divert FIFA funds meant for development to support national teams.
“The committee recommended that these national teams should be housed in a structure that receives direct budgetary and administrative support from Government whilst ensuring that FIFA rules are respected insofar as the principle of non-interference is concerned.”
The restructuring committee also urged ZIFA to have a new constitution that blocks politicians and public office holders from contesting in football elections.
Overall, the SRC expects ZIFA to come up with a new constitution by March 31, after which an election roadmap will be drawn up in consultation with FIFA.
During its consultations, the restructuring committee noted that ZIFA stakeholders, “including the so-called councillors” of ZIFA, “had never seen a copy of the association’s constitution”.
“The general view was that the ZIFA Congress simply rubber-stamped the decisions of the Executive Committee on football matters.”
Sports expert and ZIMPAPERS board chairperson Tommy Sithole, lawyer Rudo Mugandani, former Zimbabwe Olympic Committee chief executive officer Anna Mguni, Joel Gombera, banker Desmond Ali, Brian Busani Moyo and former CAPS United administrator Joyce Kapota were part of the restructuring committee.
