mbulelo smpofu
THE concerns raised by veteran football administrator Vincent Pamire over the large number of candidates vying for posts in the new Zifa board should be taken seriously.
Pamire has warned that “anti-football elements” may infiltrate the country’s number one sport and we should not allow this to happen.
Football is a sport loved and adored by millions of Zimbabweans, and it is essential that the right individuals are in control of the sport. We cannot allow individuals with ulterior motives and hidden agendas to hijack the beautiful game.
Pamire’s warning highlights the importance of having competent and dedicated individuals in football administration. We must ensure that those elected to the new Zifa board are committed to promoting the growth and development of the game in Zimbabwe.
It is also important to note that those who have contributed to the growth and development of football such as former players and coaches should not just sit back and watch. They should have been actively participating in the selection process and vocal in their support of individuals who have the best interests of the game at heart.
The warning by Pamire to “chase away” those with ulterior motives should be taken seriously. Football stakeholders should unite in identifying these individuals and do everything in their power to keep them away from Zifa.
However, we also need to remind Pamire that there is no special clique ordained to run football in our country. People with new ideas must be allowed to plant more fruit trees to increase the fruit yield.
It is clear that there must be transparency in the selection process and football lovers need to have confidence in the individuals who will be elected to oversee the game.
It is crucial that the Zifa board selection process is free from any interference. The individuals elected must be accountable to the public in every sense of the word, as their decisions will affect the growth and development of our football.
It is no secret that our football standards have been dropping alarmingly in recent years, and it is high time that competent and capable individuals take charge and steer the game towards a brighter future.
This election should not be about popularity or volume but about merit so that only the best-qualified individuals will be tasked with driving the growth of our game.
Football is a unifying sport that brings together people from all walks of life. It has the power to unite the nation, and it is important that we do not allow it to be manipulated for personal gain.
Let us, therefore, ensure that our football is run by the best and remains a unifying sport that brings the nation together.
