The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Women Soccer League leadership is in the eye of a storm after their distribution of the FIFA Covid-19 relief funds raised serious questions with some “undeserving” clubs allegedly benefiting from the disbursements of money.
A meeting was held in Harare yesterday to discuss developments in the league.
It, however, emerged that there are murmurs of disgruntlement in the way the funds meant for the resumption of the women’s game were distributed, some allegedly to some ghost clubs.
This comes after women football — whose leadership includes chairperson Barbara Chikosi, her deputy Wilbert Rambanapasi, secretary-general Tafadzwa Mujuru, and Panganai Mujuru who handles finance portfolio — was granted US$500 000 from the US$1,5 million Covid-19 relief fund that ZIFA received from FIFA.
Documents seen by The Sunday Mail Sport show that each of the Super League clubs received $256 579.
The amount was supposed to be disbursed only to clubs under ZWSL, but according to the list, instead of the 14 clubs under the league, 19 clubs benefited.
It is against this background that questions have been raised on how five clubs — COSA, Weerams, ZRP Harare, Auckland Queens and Cyclone ended up being paid when they are not part of the elite league.
Clubs in Division One were given $32 500 and that is where COSA, ZRP Harare, Auckland and Cyclone belong while Weerams, owned by Rambanapasi, seem to have gone under since failing to finish the league marathon last year.
Chikosi defended the payments, claiming the clubs were paid on the basis that they had been demoted from the Super League in 2019 and not as Division One sides.
Club sources, however, alleged cronyism in the way the money was parcelled out.
“We were surprised when we got the list of Covid-19 beneficiaries and we are now unsure of the criteria that was used here.
“If it was ZIFA who made the payouts, who gave them the list to say who benefits what and if it was ZWSL clearly this was to push their personal interests,” the sources said.
Ironically, Weerams do not appear on the final log standings of the 2019 Super League.
The clubs believe that if ZIFA wanted to use FIFA funds for development, they could have availed that from the Forward 2.0 annual allocation.
In giving their members money for the FIFA Forward, the world soccer governing body also gave some guidelines to the associations on who qualifies for the funds.
This includes partaking in regular competitions over a period of at least six months.
“. . . up to US$500 000 shall be paid in July of each year, provided that the member association fulfils the following 10 criteria:
“ii. organises women’s competitions (championship, league or cup), meaning nationwide regular competitions played as follows: 1. over a period of at least six (6) months;2. involving at least ten (10) teams;3. with at least 90 matches played.
“vi. organises girls’ competitions (championships, leagues or cups) in at least two age categories (for example U-15 and U-17) as follows:1. nationwide or regionally; 2. involving at least ten (10) youth teams in each of the age categories;3. with at least 90 matches played in each age category;4. played over a period of at least six (6) months,” reads part of the guidelines.
But it is on disbursement of the Covid-19 relief package that unrest is brewing in the normally tranquil Women’s game.
“We are now unsure if Weerams for instance has returned to the top-flight league or not because as far as we know, when we finished last season, we had no Weerams to talk of.
“If they are back, who managed to override the AGM resolutions and reinstate them? Why did the demoted clubs benefit from the Covid-19 relief fund if it was not for personal interests?’’ the sources said.
The four clubs which were promoted from Division One were also “lucky’’ to be handed funds commensurate with being in the Super League, amid suggestions that this was to silence them.
Away from the madness of the boardroom, a 30-member Mighty Warriors squad is now in camp as they intensify preparations for the COSAFA Championships in Port Elizabeth, South Africa from November 3 to 18.
The Mighty Warriors have been thrust into Group C, where they will face Tanzania and Botswana.
Team Manager Tafadzwa Bhasera said
the team has already been tested for Covid-19 as per regulations and that training has
started.
“Everything is on course, we are glad that the Covid-19 tests were done quickly and so we have started training in earnest.
“All players are in and have been tested, we have no injuries and travel logistics are on course. However, the squad will be trimmed to 20 and we roped in new blood.
“Remember we have to prepare the Under-20 side for the World Cup, meaning we need to give them a bigger platform like the COSAFA to prepare,” Bhasera said.
