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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
ZIFA executive committee member aspirant, Bryton Malandule says he is not ditching the Southern Region after being elected last month to be a board member but is now angling for a higher post.
Southern Region stakeholders showed faith in Malandule last month when they elected him to the Southern Region board and his nomination for the Zifa executive post has seen some questioning his loyalty. The former referee said he is seeking to be a voice of the region at national level while assisting in the growth of the game countrywide.
He said while Omega Sibanda will be retaining his post unelected there is need to have another voice in the board from the region.
“I believe I have the capabilities to represent the region but also have a national outlook in my work if I am elected to the Zifa executive committee.
“I feel the experience that I amassed in football, both in administration and on the field as a referee will assist me to be part of the hierarchy of the sport at national level,” said Malandule.
He said once elected into office he will push to have football at the centre of all decisions being made by Zifa and would work to ensure politics and infighting does not take centre stage.
Malandule, a qualified accountant, said he will encourage fellow board members to work towards realigning and reconfiguring Zifa’s soiled reputation and brand which is struggling to attract partners.
“The association has done well over the past four years but there is still more to be done if we are to get on the right track. We need all stakeholders to be on the same page and make a concerted effort if we are to put Zifa back on sound footing.
“Many stakeholders that include Government, the fans, the Premier Soccer League, the single biggest affiliate in terms of revenue generations, and other affiliates all want to see a well run Zifa and that is what I will put my efforts to once in office,” he said.
Malandule will battle for the national executive posts against incumbent, Philemon Machana, Chamu Chiwanza, public relations practitioners Sugar Chagonda and media personality, Barry Manandi as well as Central Region boss, Stanley Chapeta. Malandule, who was a Premiership referee between 2004 and 2012, said Zifa is technically insolvent due to the huge debt overhang but putting Fifa grants that amount to more than $750 million to good use can turn around the fortunes of the association.
He said while he will be working under the purview of the presidium he will push for the association to adopt a five-year strategic plan within six months of the new executive coming into place.
“In the first 100 days I believe we should expedite the application to Fifa for income generating projects, aggressively solicit corporate sponsorship for national teams, put all subcommittees in place while in the short term, all regional and provincial Zifa employees should fall under the national body, in the medium term we should maximise on touchline and TV advertising while in the long term I want to ensure fans come back to the stadiums in their droves to watch the beautiful game,” he said.
The former referee, who was elected into the Southern Region board in 2014, is also a member of the Cosafa Referees Committee, Zifa Finance Committee, Zifa Referees Committee and was previously treasurer of the Bulawayo Soccer Referees Association (1999-2008).
Malandule, who is studying for a doctorate in business administration with Malaysia’s Binary University, is ORAP’s chief financial officer having previously worked for Zimpapers Bulawayo, Radar Metal Industries and Treger.
Bongani Ndlovu