shloboe boe
THE success of football in any nation depends on how well the game is being run, both professionally and at the grassroots level. This is why the role of Zifa president is so crucial.
Being Zifa president is a demanding task that requires a set of qualities and skills. Whoever occupies this role is responsible for overseeing football development in the country, maintaining the game’s integrity, and promoting Zimbabwe’s football internationally.
Therefore, the ideal Zifa boss must possess an unimpeachable moral compass that allows him to make the right decisions in the face of complex challenges. The candidate must have a deep understanding of the game’s nuances. This requires a deep knowledge and appreciation of football administration. The president must understand the technical aspects of the game and the complex web of relationships that governs it.
We want a visionary Zifa leader who can see beyond the current challenges and has a clear, detailed vision of how to take our football to the next level. This vision should encompass all facets of the game, including grassroots development, schools, finances, sponsorship and infrastructure development, among others.
The Zifa boss must be a person of action who brings the vision to life by developing a comprehensive action plan that outlines the steps and resources needed to achieve the set objectives.
It is critical that all aspiring candidates for the Zifa presidency spell out their plans with regard to these qualities. Candidates must demonstrate that they have practical programmes of action that address the challenges facing our football. The one elected must not only have a clear vision for the future of the game but must also be able to execute the plan.
Our football is facing a host of challenges. The grassroots development of the game, especially at the school level, is practically non-existent. There are few opportunities for children to participate in organised football, which makes it difficult to identify talent early. This situation contributes to the lack of quality in our Premier Soccer League and extends to our national teams.
In addition to the lack of grassroots development, our football is also affected by poor infrastructure.
Most stadia are in a state of disrepair and do not meet even the minimum international standards.
Financial resources are also inadequate, making it difficult to run professional football clubs.
Furthermore, our football lacks strong corporate sponsorship, which hurts junior development. The successful candidate must, therefore, find ways of improving the overall funding situation to ensure the game’s long-term viability in the country.
To make significant strides in our football, it’s essential that candidates publicly spell out their programmes of action and offer a detailed plan of how they intend to execute this plan to improve football’s standards in the country.
The development of early childhood games programmes at the grassroots level is crucial in discovering and nurturing talent.
The successful candidate must raise the bar of professionalism and accountability in their management of the game, allowing it to nurture a sustainable pathway to success at all levels.
We strongly advise candidates seeking to become the next Zifa president to spell out detailed programmes of action, backed by practical strategies and outlined in clear actionable policies to improve our football.
Only by embracing quality, professionalism, and excellence in football management, will we position our football and our nation on the path to meaningful worldwide football success.
mbulelo smpofu
