adminthe send-off of the team yesterday, Dube praised the Zimbabwe senior national women’s soccer team and encouraged them to raise the county’s flag high when they tour the South American country.
Uruguay were the first country to host the Fifa World Cup in 1930.
“You have done a lot and please don’t emulate the male counterparts, I think you are still a very clean set-up.” said Dube.
“l am glad that the women’s game has managed to remain clean and above the rot that had brought our men’s game to its knees.
“I want to thank all the people involved in the women’s game, especially the players and the administrators, for shunning corruption and playing the game as it should be played.
“l urge them to stay committed to the good of the game and to continue to fly the national flag across continents as they have begun to do.
“When we gather here for something involving the Mighty Warriors, it is often something historic and pleasant. The team will have a chance to train at some of Uruguay’s football facilities which have produced some of the world’s outstanding players today.” Dube said the Mighty Warriors’ invitation to play in Uruguay was a demonstration of their growing brand.
“The importance of this occasion cannot be overemphasised. It shows a growing recognition of the Mighty Warriors brand and by their grand entrance into the home of beautiful football, South America,” said Dube.
“The Mighty Warriors are also making a statement about the condition of Zimbabwean football.
“This trip also serves to let people know that football is alive and well in Zimbabwe. Where it was once in the doldrums, it has emerged stronger.
“We have had to make tough decisions but l can assure you that we will come out the entire better for it. We will do everything in our power to ensure that we never go back to those dark days again.”
The Zifa president also paid tribute to the sponsors who availed funds for the trip to be possible.
“I would like to thank the sponsors who have made this possible. l thank them all for their support and we continue to call upon the corporate world and Government to play a key role in sponsoring football,” said Dube. I am glad the President stated that he wanted Government to do more for football, we applaud this statement.
“We wish the Mighty Warriors a safe and productive trip. We wish them much learning and much fun on the field of play. I say to you, go with God, or as they say in the Spanish, you will be hearing a lot of in the next week, ‘Vaya con Dios’,”
Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League chairperson Mavis Gumbo said they were opening another chapter in the development of women’s football in this country.
“I am sure l speak for everyone involved when l say we are excited to be going on this trip. We have taken up challenges locally with the league, regionally with Cosafa and the Zone Six Games, continentally with the Afcon and the World Cup qualifiers and we now take on South America,” said Gumbo.
“When we went to Germany in 2011, we were exposed to a different way of organising, planning for and playing football.
“This time we take sample of a different football flavour. South America is known as the homeland of beautiful football, and we are sure to pick up some tips, while showing them a few of our own.
“We thank our sponsors on this trip, and we urge them to keep supporting our drive to make women football a part of everyday life in Zimbabwe. We thank everyone who came on board to complement the role played by our principal sponsor Marange Resources.
“I want to thank the team for their commitment to football over the years, and to the dedication to their training and preparations. It is my wish that we stay focused on the game and not to be side tracked by any temptation and corruption.”
Mighty Warriors coach, Rose Mugadza, said they would be good ambassadors and will use the trip to learn and prepare for the upcoming qualifiers. We promise you that we would be good ambassadors of Zimbabwe, and as a team we are going out there to learn.
“We will play later in the year in the Cosafa Championship and next year we have the Africa Cup of Nations as well as Olympics qualifiers and this is a good platform for us to go learn and prepare. “We thank everyone for the support,” said Gumbo.
Online Reporter