Challenge on corporates to support women

Fungai Muderere
THE Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has called for more partnerships from the corporate world to promote women football development following the commencement of the Women Super League on 6 May.

This comes amid baseless claims that the womenaï¿½ï¿½s top flight league is dysfunctional despite it having started three weeks ago.

Zifa communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela said the league was fully funded by Zifa and urged people to desist from denigrating efforts made by the national association in promoting women football.

aï¿½?We have noted with dismay, media reports that women football is dysfunctional. Such reports are false and baseless as the league is running smoothly. The league commenced two weeks ago and is fully funded by Zifa,aï¿½? said Gwesela.

Gwesela further underscored Zifaaï¿½ï¿½s keen focus on elevating women through football, a dream which can only be realised with full support from all Zimbabweans.

aï¿½?The association, led by Phillip Chiyangwa, values the development of womenaï¿½ï¿½s football and the eventual emancipation of women through sport, therefore, it will never abdicate from its responsibilities. Zifa urges those responsible for manufacturing and spreading such falsehoods to desist from doing so and instead, partner Zifa in developing and promoting women football,aï¿½? he added.

Zifaaï¿½ï¿½s thrust to have a smooth running and competitive league is premised on creating a strong national team ahead of the 2017 Council of Southern Africa Football Associationsaï¿½ï¿½ (Cosafa) Womenaï¿½ï¿½s Championship to be held in Bulawayo in September, featuring eight countries.

The Zimbabwe Women Super League is made up of 16 teams, namely Hearts of Oak, New Orleans, Street Set, Mufakose Queens, Borrow Street Jets, Mwenezana Queens, Conduit Academy, Blue Swallows, Cyclone Stars, ZRP Harare, Masvingo Queens, Inline Academy, Faith Drive Queens, Chipembere Queens, Zvishavane Pirates and Correctional Queens.

The Zimbabwe women Super League is chaired by Rosemary Kanonge and she is deputised by Bulawayoaï¿½ï¿½s Samkeliso Silengane. Other members of the executive committee are Samkeliso Ndhlovu, Babra Chikosi, Caroline Ndlovu, and Luckmore Marufu.

ZWSL Week Four Fixtures

Sunday: Mwenezana v Street Set (Mwenezana Stadium 11am), New Orleans v Masvingo (Barbourfields 12pm)

Saturday: Inline Academy v Cyclone Stars (Barbourfields 12pm), Correctional Services v Conduit (Chikurubi (Ipm), Mufakose Queens v Hearts of Oak (Mufakose High Schoool 12pm), Ble Swallows v Barrow Jets (Harare 1pm), Chipembere v Zvishavane (Mukoba 12pm), ZRP v Faith Drive (Morris Depot 12pm) . .