adminPetros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
GOVERNMENT is optimistic that Zifa’s ambitious “Dollar for Football” project will help the cash-strapped association come out of its debilitating financial state and drive the development of the game in the country.
Zifa are saddled with more than US$4 million debt which they are struggling to service and which has stalled any meaningful development of the game, especially in the junior structures.
The association has also sent its begging bowl to the Government, the corporate sector and individuals but without any much joy.
Zifa, have, however, through the Football Trust rolled out an ambitious “Dollar for Football” project, which they hope to use as a vehicle to raise funds and clear their debts.
That project received Government’s seal of approval on Thursday night with Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister, Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga, revealing that they believed the initiative was the key to the future of the country’s biggest and most popular sporting discipline.
Kanengoni-Malinga was the guest of honour at a fund-raising dinner organised by the Zimbabwe Football Trust and the Zifa Golden Jubilee Committee.
“Football is expensive in terms of resources and hence the need to have a Football Trust. The Football Trust has rolled out the “Dollar for Football” project which will unlock resources for the aforementioned and I on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe, my ministry and my own behalf officially endorse the ‘Dollar for Football’ project.
“Subsequently I appeal to the corporate sector and the generality of Zimbabweans local and living in the Diaspora to subscribe to the ‘Dollar for Football’ project”.
“We should rise to the challenge as football loving Zimbabweans and contribute financially, materially and otherwise to the ‘Dollar for Football Project’.
“This project holds the key to Zimbabwe’s most supported sport’s future,’’ Kanengoni-Malinga said.
She also saluted Zifa president Cuthbert Dube for sacrificing his personal resources to try and help keep the association alive against the backdrop of a very tough operating environment.
“Our football has a debt which has to be serviced as a matter of urgency if our game is to regain glory of the olden days. The current football leadership inherited from our predecessors a huge debt and the onus is upon Zifa and stakeholders to service the debt.
“My ministry is keen to help Zifa out of the current crisis. Football shall be eternally indebted to the sacrifices of Zifa president Dr Cuthbert Dube who has poured close to a million United States dollars into Zimbabwean football. We salute you Dr Dube for your patriotism,’’ Kanengoni Malinga said.
The deputy minister also told guests at the dinner that her ministry was planning a sport investors and partners conference for early next year.
Kanengoni-Malinga also spoke of the Asiagate match-fixing scam which she felt was a dark period for the game but hastened to implore Zifa to put a lid to the long-dragging saga.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association as custodians of the game in Zimbabwe should not relent in defending the ethos of the game.
“Football is like a temple which no mortal can defile. Greed, corruption and selfishness should never be allowed to raise their ugly heads in our game at a time when millions look up to the association to deliver the beautiful game from the madness of yesteryear.
“Our game cannot continue to wallow in madness. There should be a stop to the willful destruction of football by selfish individuals. Asiagate came and left behind a trail of destruction. We look forward to Zifa putting a lid to the worst ever scandal to have visited upon our game,’’ Kanengoni-Malinga said.
Online Reporter