admin
VETERAN football administrator Ndumiso Gumede has called for the full implementation of the National Sports and Recreation Policy once it is finalised instead of leaving it to rot in offices.
Gumede, who attended the document’s validation meeting hosted by the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture at a Bulawayo hotel on Monday, said he was impressed by the “many” positive aspects contained in the document but was wary that just like similar documents of intent in the past implementation might prove the bottleneck.
“This is not the first time that we are attending such a symposium, we have had two or three such efforts being made to come up with a policy document that would improve the sporting landscape in the country but unfortunately these have not been implemented on the ground.
“I clearly remember the Garwe Commission that was initiated in 1996 by the Sports and Recreation Commission to look into football and come up with recommendations and although the job was done, none of the recommendations were implemented meaning it was a waste of time,’’ said Gumede.
“We do not want the same fate to befall the sports policy currently being made, I pray and hope the powers that be will ensure it is put into full use and make the much needed positive change in our sporting industry.”
Gumede said funding was the critical aspect that was hampering the proper administration of sport while there was also need for capacity building among officials.
He said administrators should be groomed and mentored to handle their specific sporting disciplines as this would go a long way towards improving managing of associations and teams.
“People talk about putting your house in order but without funding there is little you can do. Funding is the cement that’s needed to hold that house together.
“Developing centres of excellence is another important thing highlighted in the draft and I hope it will be implemented effectively. I think honouring those who have excelled in the past is also important. I believe revival of youth centres will also be a positive move because they played a critical role in developing sports people in the past and I am a product of them too having started being active in sport at Inyathi Youth Centre and it played a role in who I am today,” said Gumede, a former Zifa vice-president, secretary-general, and currently the Highlanders chief executive officer.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said they finally got the opportunity to make submissions after being left out in earlier meetings.
During the validation meeting in Bulawayo, Ndebele emphasised the need to address issues around funding of sports, adding there is a need to find ways of reducing levies that football clubs are subjected to and Government should consider introducing incentives for companies to sponsor sport.
PSL clubs have to pay levies that include six percent of gate takings for each match to the SRC and eight percent to Zifa, while local authorities usually charge 20 percent for their flagship stadia.
PSL teams have also in the past fingered police as eating too much into the gate takings cake when they charge for providing security services.
Chicken Inn official Mlungisi Moyo called for the reduction of customs tariffs on sports equipment to make them affordable for players.
The country has been operating without a sports policy but has recently seen calls for one rising and with the establishment of an independent sport ministry it was the first task sports stakeholders felt the Government arm should craft.
A national sport arbitration system for discipline and grievance handling will be established once the policy is in place.
The policy is set to be implemented in phases of five-year plans beginning this year, with periodic monitoring and evaluation being undertaken while a review of the policy will be held after every five years.
Online Reporter