adminrebrand its image and become a powerhouse again.
Although Ndlovu is yet to be officially recognised by Zifa, the former Warriors striker said he has no problem with being the ambassador.
The proposal to have soccer legend as the ambassador was made yesterday during the Fifa Women’s Football Com Unity Seminar, which is currently underway in the capital.
Ndlovu, who was part of the delegations at yesterday’s seminar, said he felt humbled to be accorded such status.
“It is an honour to be here. I have played and supported football my whole life. It would be an honour for me,” said Ndlovu.
Mighty Warriors coach Rose Mugadza said it is a good move to have the legend in their corner.
“We need to rebrand our women’s football and he will support us.
“It is a big step to have legends like him coming aboard and we hope other former players like Benjani (Mwaruwari) Adam (Ndlovu will also come out assisting us,” said Mugadza.
Zifa’s German technical adviser Klaus Dieter Pagels hailed the move to have Ndlovu playing a role in the development of the women’s game.
“I think it will be a very good idea if someone like Peter came in and supports them.
“If a former player and former great like can inspire the girl child it will be great. To develop women football I think we need more Peters. I am very happy that he promised to support.
“I think Peter is an idol for the young girls and young boys and I think their parents will tell them about his way to success.
“To bring in idols, football should not go out and ask but they have to present themselves and if they know about our grassroots programmes they have to come on their own.
“The idols can come in and be guests of honour and give motivational speeches to participants at grassroots festivals, they can be volunteers and assist.
“When we had our festival at Prince Edward the Mighty Warriors came and were volunteer coaches and the children liked that but I think it is not only the former players but even the current PSL players should find time to meet with grassroots coaches and players and get the feeling that they are important to the development of football,” Pagels said.
Women’s football have been making strides again and are on the verge if Government approves of hosting next year’s Caf African Women Championships which is similar to men’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Caf have offered Zimbabwe to host the bi-annual event and Zifa have already applied to the Government and are now waiting for the green light from the cabinet.
Following its revival last year women’s football have regrouped and qualified for the All Africa Games, won the Cosafa Championships and went to Germany for a training camp.
And the seminar which is being hosted by Zifa and funded by Fifa seeks to unlock more value in the sport. The Fifa presentations on grassroots development will obviously leave Zimbabwe with a lot of work to do in that area.
And Mighty Warriors coach, Mugadza said they need to do more and emulate what other countries like Namibia have done.
“We need to develop, as you can see Namibia have targeted grassroots. If it means going to Bikita let it be, let’s cover all the provinces and not just wait for the Youth Games to do something in those areas.
“Everybody should support from the businesspeople in the communities, National Associations of Primary School Heads and National Association of Secondary School Heads really needs to get involved,” said Mugadza.
Yesterday also saw the local electronic and print media presenting on what the media can do for women’s football while Zifa also presented on their communication strategy and what they need to do to improve their relationship with the mainstream media.
Veteran South African football analyst and Fifa instructor Chris Bongo also presented on the subject and said communication is key in developing sport.
The highly interactive seminar winds up today with Fifa expert Henry Tandau expected to present on how to market women’s football, branding, marketing strategy plan and relationship with sponsors.
In concluding the seminar, tomorrow the Under-15 girls will play in five-a-side matches at Rufaro to create awareness amongst the stakeholders that have been attending the workshop.
Online Reporter