Fifa likely to rescue Zifa

affiliate come out of the quagmire.
Zifa’s programmes have been derailed by mounting debts, which have literally crippled operations with association president Cuthbert Dube often being called on to chip in and use personal resources to bail out the local soccer mother body.

Dube’s board, which inherited a bankrupt association when they took over office in March 2010, have since made an unprecedented appeal for more than US$1,5 million from Fifa.
They believe will help them recapitalise and also pay off their creditors, some of who have taken legal action against the association.
Although Fifa are still to commit themselves to financing Zifa, a ray of hope filtered for the association this week after the international body got their first real insight into the problems haunting their affiliate.

Fifa sent their financial consultant Rolf Eggenberger to assess the situation on the ground and meet with the Zifa board, Government officials, Sport and Recreation Commission, Zifa’s bankers and some of the association’s creditors. The German expert was in the company of Fifa development officer for Southern Africa Ashford Mamelodi.
Eggenberger said although Zifa’s financial situation was “saddening’’ he was optimistic that they would be helped to find their footing again.

“I cannot say much now until I have submitted my report to Fifa and they will communicate with the Zifa president by the end of the month.
“Of course Zifa are in trouble but we see light at the end of the tunnel and like I said by the end of the month the president will be able to communicate what is going on,’’ said Eggenberger.

Mamelodi, who has worked tirelessly to try and assist the local game in various spheres especially on development, also expressed confidence that Zifa would with Fifa’s assistance finally turn on the corner.
The veteran administrator, who has often shuttled between his base in Gaborone and Harare, also conceded that Zifa’s request for funding outside of the annual US$250 000 that comes through the Fifa financial assistance programme or the funding that is provided under the Goal Project.

“There has been a request for recapitalisation from Zifa but Fifa does not have a programme where they recapitalise member associations.
“But the reason why Rolf was sent here was to work with Zifa on a resolution of their problems. There is a lot that Fifa believe Zifa can do with the assistance from experts.

“There are also opportunities that can be explored in the way we can improve revenue generation at Zifa and there are measures that also need to be adhered to that can allow the association to improve on its finances.
“He (Eggenberger) will present his report to Fifa and they will be back with the means and ways that Fifa can support Zifa but definitely Zifa’s plight is a major cause for concern at Fifa, and we all want to see them get out of this and function properly,’’ Mamelodi said. Mamelodi also said he had remained seized with the various Fifa programmes that

have been going on at Zifa.
“A lot of programmes are still going on between Zifa and Fifa in areas such as Futsal, the Goal Project, referees development, coaches, women, and administration but this time I am here to accompany the financial consultant and although we could not meet each and every creditor, we met with Zifa’s bankers, the board members, the finance committee and the Government officials,’’ Mamelodi said.

Mamelodi also said Zifa’s application for funding for Phase III of the Goal Project, housed at the Zifa Village in Mt Hampden, would be determined when Fifa’s Goal Bureau meets at the end of this month.
“The Goal Bureau will meet at the end of the month to consider the next phase of the Goal Project at Zifa Village and I am sure they will succeed in their application. But really we all recognise that Zifa’s financial plight is very serious and needs to be addressed,’’ Mamelodi said.

Mamelodi also indicated that he had been keeping tabs on the Asiagate and the work that is being done by Zifa to bring to finality the match-fixing scam that rocked the domestic game.
“Zifa have set up an independent ethics committee to finalise the matter come up with recommendations but I have been following the events here and I will soon be sending my own report,’’ Mamelodi said.

The Ethics Committee led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ebrahim, which will provide the platform for those implicated to clear their names, has quietly gone about their work away from the daily public spotlight, interviewing a good number of players and individuals who were fingered in the Asiagate report.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Criminal Investigations Department, Serious Frauds squad, have also been at work on the Asiagate scam and have been conducting their own interviews with the players, coaches and officials.

Zimbabwe international striker Edward Sadomba who plays for Sudanese giants Al Hilal is one such player who has been interviewed after flying into the country this week and getting an opportunity to meet with both the CID Serious Fraud squad and the Ethics Committee.

Sadomba was in the company of his lawyer Brighton Mufadza when he testified before ethics committee investigator Tony Maycock.
Although no timelines have been set, Zifa who last month suspended more than 80 players and coaches fingered in the Asiagate report, are hopeful that the ethics committee would have completed their work by the time the Warriors resume their qualification bid for a place at the 2013 African Cup of Nations in June.

The Warriors, who trail Burundi 2-1 in their first round tie, will host the Swallows at Rufaro in the return leg on June 3.