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Curtworth Masango-Zimpapers Sports Hub
Government has thrown its weight behind football as a vehicle for “soft diplomacy,” as regional sports leaders gathered in Harare for a COSAFA elective general meeting that saw Botswana’s Oabile Thona Tariq Babitseng elected unopposed as the new president.
Speaking at the congress attended by CAF president Patrice Motsepe and FIFA officials, Sports Minister Anselem Sanyatwe said Zimbabwe is leveraging football to rebuild regional and international trust following the lifting of the FIFA ban.
“Sport and football in particular, occupies an important place in that national trajectory of soft diplomacy,” said Sanyatwe.
“Through football, we strengthen friendships, build bridges between nations and contribute meaningfully to the broader vision of African development.”
The minister’s address came as delegates confirmed Babitseng’s presidency by acclamation, with Alfred Randriamanampisoa of Madagascar elected vice president and Zambia’s Brenda Kunda retaining the women’s executive seat.
The only contested race was for the four ordinary executive committee positions, with five candidates in the running, including ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi. Magwizi was successfully elected amongst Robert Shimooshili (Namibia), Peter Simelane (Eswatini) and Lijane Ntunya (Lesotho).
Sanyatwe commended Zimbabwe’s recent hosting of the CAF African Schools Football Championship and COSAFA competitions as evidence of renewed confidence from regional partners.
He also credited President Mnangagwa for securing sponsorship for the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, a tournament spanning genders and grassroots to premier league levels.
“President Mnangagwa, has taken a keen and active interest in the development of football in this nation.
“In that regard, he championed and secured unprecedented sponsorship for the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
“The tournament shall allow participation of both genders and include teams from the community level to the premier soccer league. This initiative reflects Government’s broader development philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.
“Every talented young boy or girl, whether from a village, growth point, district, town or city, must have a meaningful opportunity to dream, participate and excel,” he said.
He added that key to these developments is building modern infrastructure.
“Let me reiterate that no football development agenda can succeed without strong and modern infrastructure. In that regard, my ministry, together with other stakeholders, continues to prioritise the rehabilitation and modernisation of sports infrastructure across the country.”
The minister praised Magwizi and his ZIFA executive for governance reforms since assuming office, while cautioning that institutional renewal requires discipline, patience, integrity and, at times, difficult decisions.
He reiterated Government support for football while pledging to respect the sport’s autonomy and FIFA statutes.
