Govt to look into issues affecting women football

Acting Sports Editor
THE Government has described as “very unfortunate but avoidable” the chaos that is rocking Zimbabwe Women Football that saw the year ending with clubs not kicking the ball. Reports say the situation is so dire that some seasoned administrators are contemplating pulling out as they complain of being perennially frustrated.  This could leave young and talented girls facing a bleak future.

Speaking for the first time since the media exposed the rot in women’s football recently, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa said it hurt him that clubs forked out their hard-earned money to pay affiliation fees that allows them to participate in organised league matches but their dreams could not be fulfilled.

“It’s so unfortunate really and as Government, we are concerned about such developments but I am happy that the media has raised such issues and we will definitely look into that. As a ministry I have always said that we have an open-door policy where those that need my urgent attention can always come in and be assisted,” said Langa.

He said his ministry was working round the clock to craft a sports policy document that would clearly have terms of references for the various sports codes so that it would be easy for those entrusted with running the disciplines. “The problems in women football I believe are some of many bedeviling our sports as a nation and coming up with a sports policy document will help put an end to all this,” said Langa.

Super League clubs are up in arms with the Mavis Gumbo-led executive after they paid $500 affiliation fees early last year but did not kick a ball while their prize money for the preceding season has not been released despite the league enjoying massive support from Marange Resources who unveiled a $3 million sponsorship deal in 2012.

It appears the national team; the Mighty Warriors has been prioritised over national league and clubs.

“Right now we hear there is a NetOne Cup coming up but we are saying which product did they sell when we have not been active for a good one year,” asked Trust Kwembeya who runs one of the most successful women clubs in the country, Inline Academy.

Women football elections will be held next month although the national association failed to call for an annual general meeting.