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Midlands Correspondent
FORMER players have heightened their calls for involvement in football administration by demanding an amendment of the Zifa constitution to insert a clause reserving a quota for them on the association’s board.
The ex-players spoke in unison at the burial of former Warriors, Lancashire Steel and Ziscosteel defender Paul Gundani in Kwekwe on Saturday, saying the reason local soccer had deteriorated is because they have been sidelined in the administration of the sport.
Former Ziscosteel and Zifa board member for competitions Benedict Moyo said the association should introduce a quota system whereby former players are seconded to the board.
“I think it’s high time we had a quota system on the Zifa board by having someone who is technical; someone who once played football should always be in the board and should not be elected but seconded,” said Moyo.
“The people who want to come into football right now want to make names from football, but former players made their names playing the game and so we are in the game out of passion.”
Former Highlanders’ chairman Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda called on the Premier Soccer League to compel its affiliates to have at least one former player as an executive committee member.
“We’re being sidelined as we’re not being given a chance in any structure of football in Zimbabwe. That is why you see our teams not performing well. I’ll start with the PSL to have at least one person with in-depth knowledge of football; someone who has played the game,” said Sibanda.
“To all former players, I say 2018 is our year. Let’s sharpen up and let’s go back to our roots. Ibhola ngelethu. We shouldn’t be kicked out of football because it belongs to us.”
Footballers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Desmond Maringwa implored former footballers to take charge of the sport for the game to develop.
“This is our game. This is what we were good at. We never wanted to become lawyers, but showcased our potential on the field of play and therefore need to take charge of the sport,” said Maringwa.
There have been calls in recent weeks for former football players to venture into football administration, but only ex-Warriors’ defender James Takavada and midfielder Edzayi Kasinauyo successfully filed their nomination papers for the December 5 Zifa board elections.
Online Reporter