Chronicle Editor
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association (ZSCA) has come out guns blazing demanding a seat in the Zifa Assembly.
They were removed from the Assembly in 2012 together with referees after it was deemed that they should not be members of football’s decision-making body.
“We are the technical people driving football as we start with talent at grassroots level right up to the Warriors. We are very much part of the football ecosystem and we should be involved in decision-making at that level,” said ZSCA boss Bhekimpilo Nyoni.
“Our input should help shape the game in the country. As coaches, we have a clue about the direction football should take. We do not understand why some people do not want us to be involved in the shaping of the future of the game.
“Some suggestions about the future of the game need to be suggested at the boardroom level, but if there is an insistence that we are employees, who then is knowledgeable about technical facets of the game better than referees and coaches, people who have been in the trenches,” said Nyoni.
He said it is important going forward to have people with technical expertise involved in the shaping of the game.The Zifa Assembly has over the years been dominated by career councillors and businesspeople, the majority of who have patched-up football history.
The local game has not known any peace since Leo Mugabe was kicked out of the Zifa Board in June 2003. Since then, bans, suspensions and chaos have been prominent in the local game.
Despite several qualifications for major continental events such as the Chan Championships and Afcon, grassroots development has not been a well-co-ordinated national project. Successes have been sporadic and in most instances individuals’ efforts.
Nyoni said countries like Botswana have coaches in the decision-making arm of football in that country. “Coaches have representation in the Botswana Football Association (BFA) Congress through the Botswana Coaches Association, ensuring coaches’ voices are heard.
“The BFA has a Technical Committee, which includes experienced coaches and technical directors, providing guidance on coaching and technical matters.
“Coaches are part of Regional Associations, which have representatives in the BFA Congress. So, coaches in Botswana have indirect representation in the BFA Congress, allowing them to contribute to decision-making processes and advocate for their interests,” said Nyoni.
He also said coaches are members of the South African Football Association. Argentina, a powerhouse in football, has a Congress with representatives of various stakeholders and the Argentine Coaches’ Association.
“This ensures that the coaches’ voices are heard. It allows them to contribute to decision-making processes and advocate for their interests.
“In Argentina there is also a Technical Department of experienced coaches, which includes experienced coaches and technical directors, providing guidance on coaching and technical matters.”
Councillors from the 2018 elected Assembly met in Harare last Saturday to discuss alterations to the existing Zifa constitution.
Submissions were made that coaches and referees return to the fold alongside the players’ union. Also affected in the new constitution are Area Zones, for long the foundation of professional and semi-professional football in the country with once viable structures.
Some want them abolished yet the Bulawayo Amateur Football and Rhino Cup Champions League with 20 clubs and over 1 400 players are an example of the viability of Area Zones. Both leagues have better sponsorships than some Zifa provincial leagues.
Sweeney Mushonga, Prof Thomas Marambanyika, Gilbert Saika, Prince Nyoni, Wisdom Simba, Ndodana Masuku, Derrick Matapure, Francis Ntuta, Mike Mandaza and Moses Chikoti were assigned to review suggestions and explore those possibly left out last week ahead of the organisation’s annual general meeting set for October. This should culminate in elections being held early next year.
Online Reporter