Chapeta lands CSL chairmanship

Midlands Correspondent
STANLEY Chapeta is the new Zifa Central Soccer League (CSL) chairman after garnering 15 votes to his rivals Patrick Hokonya’s seven and Musa Ntonga’s single vote in elections held in Gweru yesterday. Sable Chemicals FC, who had been part of the CSL’s electoral college, did not vote after advising the management committee that they were pulling out of the league due to funding constraints.

Retired Labour Court president Justice Selo Nare presided over the polls.

In his inaugural address to the league soon after his election, Chapeta invited his vanquished opponents to work with him to improve the standard of football in the CSL.

“To all football stakeholders, I’m asking you to work with me because we want to make football the winner at the end of the day. I promise to fulfil part of my election pledges and very soon I’ll unveil a sponsor that I believe will go a long way into making our league competitive,” said Chapeta.

Ntonga conceded defeat and congratulated Chapeta, while Hokonya also embraced Chapeta and said he was ready to work with the new chairman on request.

“I must admit that I’ve taken part in many elections but this has been the toughest. He (Chapeta) deserved to win. However, as a football person, my door is always open if you may need assistance. To the Zifa Midlands and Matabeleland South provinces, I’ll keep on sponsoring end of season awards and this time there will be prize money,” said Hokonya.

Chapeta’s election leaves a vacancy for the board member administration.

He held the post prior to his victory and the CSL is likely to co-opt an individual until the next annual general meeting.