mbulelo smpofu
Innocent Kurira, innocent.kurira@chronicle.co.zw
IN a bold move, chairpersons from Zifa provincial, Area Zones, tertiary institutions, Naph, Nash and Futsal leagues converged in Gweru to challenge the dominant electoral landscape in Zimbabwe football.
Their meeting was aimed at strategising and promoting their collective interests, paving the way for a unified approach to the Zifa board elections slated for January 25.
The meeting marked a crucial milestone in local football, as these stakeholders put aside their differences to forge a united front.
A key outcome of the gathering was the endorsement of two candidates, Chris Mtungwazi and Gilbert Saika, for board member positions in the incoming Zifa executive committee.
“We have discovered that we become useful when it’s election period. Over the years, most candidates were coming from the regions and PSL and we realised we have to choose our own candidates who will carry our interests,” said Artwell Moyo, Zifa Area Zone chair for the Central Region.
Moyo emphasised the need for change, stating that Area Zones have been marginalised in key decision-making processes.
“As Area Zones, together with Naph and Nash, we want to be able to field candidates to represent our interests,” he said.
The recent Zifa constitution-making process nearly resulted in Area Zones being kicked out of the Zifa Assembly but provincial chairpersons resisted the move.
Zifa Mashonaland East provincial chairperson, Derrick Matatupi, also highlighted the importance of collective action.
“In this campaign season, we have to work together to protect football at all levels and ensure equal representation at the top.
“Candidates are meeting people as a group or meeting them individually. No one should feel threatened. You can meet people individually or as a group but for us, we have met Mtungwazi and Saika who have outlined their plans to us ahead of the election,” said Matatupi.
The chairpersons expressed deep frustration with the current system, where regions and PSL teams disproportionately dominate the Zifa executive committee candidacy landscape.
Critically, these dominant groups often neglect the interests of developmental leagues, perpetuating historical imbalances that have hindered the growth of grassroots football.
The united stance adopted by the chairpersons marks a significant step towards addressing these long-standing injustices and ensuring that grassroots football receives the recognition, support and equal representation it deserves.
Notably, the Bulawayo Amateur Football Association and the Rhino Champions League in Dete have emerged as beacons of activity in the country, demonstrating the potential for grassroots football to thrive with adequate support and representation.
By backing Mtungwazi and Saika for board member positions in the next Zifa executive committee, the stakeholders aim to bring about a new era of inclusivity and equity in Zimbabwe football.— @innocentskizoe
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
