Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
ASPIRING Zifa executive committee member Bryton Malandule has called for the setting aside of football politics to fully focus in the development of the game in the country.
Malandule, a trained financial fundi, who also was a topflight referee for more than a decade, will square off against five other candidates, who include incumbent Phillemon Machana, Chamu Chiwanza, Stanley Chapeta, Barry Manandi and Sugar Chagonda in the December 1 elections.
“I am entering this race for a seat on the Zifa executive committee because I am driven by my passion and love for football. I realise that as football leaders we need to put aside the politics of football and stand up and work for the development of the beautiful game in Zimbabwe,” said Malandule.
“Upon election I pledge to work in a positive manner with the presidium as well as fellow executive committee members. I will also be guided by the Zifa constitution and respect its tenets,” he wrote in his manifesto, which he hopes will charm the 60 voting delegates.
He said it was paramount for the Zifa executive committee to fully understand its stakeholders, as that would help it pursue strategies that enhance service delivery and fulfill its mission and vision.
“The fans want national teams that perform well, while bodies like Cosafa, Caf and Fifa want a stable association with growing revenues. They want to work with a Zifa with good corporate governance principles where funds are put to good use,” said Malandule.
He said it was disturbing that individuals that lost in previous elections as well as some football pressure groups were continuously fighting endeavours to have a united football family.
“I am an all-round football administrator, but the executive committee will obviously take advantage of my technical background, particularly in refereeing. I would assist, if called upon, to work for the development of referees in Zimbabwe.
“On the football pitch I believe there are no shortcuts to excellence; we need to invest heavily in youth development to produce star players in the mould of the legendary Peter Ndlovu, Benjani Mwaruwari and Moses Chunga to mention just a few.
“Come December 1, let’s go and vote for people who will take our football to new heights and I humbly present myself to you with a promise of ensuring integrity and transparency in administration,” said
Malandule, a serving Zifa Southern Region board member in charge of finance.
He also sits on the Cosafa referees and competitions committee.
Online Reporter