daniel chigunwe
Fungai Muderere
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IN the wake of a myriad of challenges that have stifled local football growth, a candidate for the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) vice presidency, Kennedy Ndebele, has said once elected into office, he will seek to get rid of the mess that has punctuated the game for the last 15 years.
Ndebele, an outgoing Premier Soccer League (PSL) chief executive officer, said he understands that the role of the vice president is critical in the organisation’s policy formulation, strategic planning process, implementation, and image presentation.
“The vice president must be knowledgeable about the operations of the FA’s various action centres yet be mature enough to guide and allow developments to implement programmes. The vice president must act in accord with the ultimate FA president, who is the arrowhead of the organisation for progress and success to be achieved by the entire leadership team. Zimbabwean football has, in the past 15 years, faced a myriad of challenges.
“The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent suspension from FIFA membership exacerbated the situation, leaving the game in dire need of reform on all fronts. We need to sort out that mess. And it is important to realise the need and commit to a paradigm shift in the entire football organisation’s governance and operational approaches,” said Ndebele.
His campaign hinges on 11 pillars that speak to re-organisation, governance, capacity development, club licencing, decentralisation, grassroots and youth football, women’s football development, collective responsibility, communication, marketing, and ideal competition participation.
Ndebele, who is on record citing governance challenges at the country’s football mother-body, will face competition from ex-Zifa vice president Omega Sibanda, former PSL and Highlanders’ chairman and now Bosso board member Peter Dube, James Takavada, and Francis Nyamutsamba.
Ndebele stressed the importance of working collaboratively with the Zifa president and other stakeholders to implement effective programmes and reforms.
“My key commitments will be to work closely with the president, offering support. Be available at all times to take the role assigned by the president and stand in for him. I will also keep abreast of the organisation’s activities, including those of subcommittees, and be supportive in providing guidance for strict strategic planning and implementation of policies and plans. I will be committed to unwavering, principle-focused leadership at all times and ensure a culture of prompt decision-making, communication, and enforcement,” said Ndebele.
He boasts of a career spanning several leadership roles in football, including serving as Highlanders’ secretary and chairman as well as coordinating the 2009 Cosafa tournament. He was also the marketing director for the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games that were hosted by Zimbabwe a few years ago.
Ndebele’s academic credentials include a Science Politics and Administration (Hons) Degree from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), a Diploma in Management of Olympic Sport Organisations from the IOC, and a FIFA Futuro III Regional Instructor Administration and Management Certificate.
