daniel chigunweZimpapers Sports Hub
GILBERT Saika says women football is a neglected lot despite its significant potential and needs to be taken care of by the incoming ZIFA board to be elected into office tomorrow.
The Mashonaland Central Region chairman is one of the 39 candidates vying for the available six slots for the executive members on the board.
And he has pledged to plug some glaring holes hampering the development of the women’s game in the country.
He said women football gets to be recognised only at the national team level, yet there is little being done to improve their conditions even at Premiership level.
Women’s football in the country is crying out for help with the elite level, the Women’s Soccer League, mirroring an amateur league with the sub-standard grounds used and little to no safety measures in place.
Those running this league should be applauded for their passion and commitment, said Saika, but there is still a lot that has to be done to help the game grow and possibly be at par with men’s football.
“Firstly, let me applaud those who have been running women’s football. These are heroes and heroines of our time, however unappreciated.
“They have been able to improve a lot of things in the female game, and that has to be hailed.
“It is very difficult to administer players who have little to nothing but only passion when it comes to playing league football. But the ladies and gentlemen in charge of the women’s game have been able to keep going, and they deserve a pat on the back,” said Saika.
“Grassroots, I believe, is the backbone of our football and is based on having proper structures at that level. We have to come up with proper structures starting at the provincial level up to the national level.
“Women’s football needs to be taken care of. We need to work closely to close the gap that exists in women’s football. Our women football is starting at a higher level, which is not proper.”
He said the female game should be developed in a systematic manner if it is to fully realise its potential.
“It (female football) has to be funded in a manner that it starts from zones, districts, provinces, and regions up to the elite level.
“We need to be accountable when it comes to grants given to women in football. Councillors need to be capacitated so that they can take care of female football in their regions.
“Look at how our female football is doing at an international level. Whenever the Mighty Warriors or the Young Mighty Warriors are playing, you know you are guaranteed to see something different as they almost always do well.
“They just need the requisite support from authorities, which is what I am going to advocate for when I get elected into the board. We need more female football academies and everything to do with the improvement of their game right from the base going up.”
Saika’s vision for ZIFA is anchored on inclusivity, accountability, and financial stability on the part of the association.
