‘Karikoga Kaseke was God sent for Warriors’

Lovemore Dube

VETERAN football administrator Vincent Pamire, says the death of Karikoga Kaseke, the former chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), is a big loss to the game, noting the role he played in assisting the Warriors qualify for the Tunisia Afcon finals in 2004.

Kaseke died last Thursday after a long battle with stroke, which he suffered in 2018. He was 62. Ill-health forced him to step down as chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority having previously worked for the Civil Authority of Zimbabwe. Pamire said Kaseke was part of Zimbabwe Warriors Trust body that had a number of heavyweights drawn from industry in 2003.

“We were smelling qualification. It was within earshot and we worked hard with so many stakeholders and in the end we established the Warriors Trust. He and his Trust friends worked tirelessly to make Zimbabwe football better and make history,” said Pamire.

He said Kaseke alongside seasoned business executives and government officials like Herbert Nkala, Enock Kamushinda, Gideon Gono, and Slyvester Nguni made up the Warriors Trust Fund.

“As you can see these gentlemen came from many sectors. We were able to move mountains with them both financially and resource was even on international contacts. It was a trying time, we had no funds as Zifa but we could see that qualification was within reach. We needed to up the game and have players flying from outside the country, accommodate them and be able to pay decent allowances and bonuses to the players. When they came on board our task became lighter, we were able to travel with ease. They spoke to Government and when we travelled by Airforce of Zimbabwe to DRC because Kaseke was with us, we never had problems as he would talk to international civil aviation authorities to help us travel smoothly,” said Pamire.

Pamire described Kaseke as a hard worker who wanted results.

“He was a hardworker who wanted results. Because the Warriors were doing well it pushed him further with his Trust and we never had a situation where players went on strike,” said Pamire.

He said it was unfortunate that he was acknowledging Kaseke posthumously.

“It is important to honour people while alive. He should have heard his praises when he lived, it is sad we are now stumbling over each other to praise him for the good he did for football. We have to show gratitude to those sons of Zimbabwe who worked with Kaseke,” said Pamire.

Zimbabwe qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals held in Tunisia. During his time Kaseke worked tirelessly in 2010 in bringing the Brazil football national team. That raised the profile of Zimbabwe football and sold the country as a safe tourism destination to the world. Pamire said one time the Warriors missed their flight in Johannesburg on their way to a fixture in Africa.

“We returned back and Kaseke was able with his committee to fix an alternative way of travelling to play,” said Pamire.
Kaseke has also been accorded a State Assisted funeral by President Mnangagwa. Burial arrangements have not yet been finalised.

Former Zifa chief executive officer ,Henrietta Rushwaya, described Kaseke’s death as a sad loss.
She said she worked with Kaseke starting from 2008 and would result in Brazil coming to Zimbabwe.

“A very sad loss indeed. I worked with him when I was the Zifa CEO and he was the ZTA Ceo. It was in 2008 when we signed an MoU with ZTA on Sport Tourism and the intention was to lure teams that would have qualified for the World Cup to come and train in Zimbabwe ahead of 2010.

“We travelled to five countries and in 2009 I went with him to Brazil to invite The Seleção Canarinha, (Brazil Football National Team), in 2009. Brazil confirmed their willingness to come and play a friendly against Zimbabwe. It was Karikoga, who was instrumental in coining the term sport tourism.

“We did not have a single dollar on us when we made the commitment to bring Brazil to Zimbabwe.

“We took a risk and borrowed $1.2 million for appearances fees and we took a gamble and borrowed the money from CBZ then Dr John Mangudya was the Group Ceo. Our security against the loan was ‘CBZ bank tellers would man the gates and collect all the revenue and recoup their loan’.”

It was during the GNU era and Government gave Zifa US$250 000.

“The corporate world also chipped in. This shows you how dedicated towards the Zimbabwean cause Koga was. We have been robbed of a fearless, shrewd and hard-working leader. ZTA will never be the same again.”