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Sports Reporter
ZIFA Village in Mount Hampden is the venue for today’s Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League elections where incumbent Mavis Gumbo and Harare’s Twalumba FC supremo Miriam Sibanda go head to head for the chairperson’s post. In a telephone interview yesterday, Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said delegates were expected in the capital last night.
“The stage is set for the elections and they are going to be held at the Zifa Village at 11.30AM. Those coming from outside Harare are expected in the capital later today,” Gwesela said.
Sibanda launched her campaign in Bulawayo last month where she met representatives from the province and promised to ensure women’s football gets back on its feet with activities.
“What women’s football clubs are clamouring for is more football activity and that is why my theme says ‘It’s about more game, more women in football.’ This is the time to roll up sleeves and say this is what we want when you cast the vote on election day.
“The success of Zimbabwe women’s football lies in the systems we adopt and our ability to adhere to the rules. How we conduct our affairs must be above board, transparently and be accountable. I am coming from a corporate side and I know that companies want to partner institutions that maintain good corporate governance and should the team that we have go in, we will maintain the sponsors that are there and entice them to increase their packages,” Sibanda said.
In the last year, there was an outcry on lack of activity in women’s football, particularly in the Super League despite the fact that at the beginning of 2012 Marange Resources had unveiled a sponsorship package of US$3 million. The sponsorship was supposed to cater for national teams’ full kit, travel, home and away attire while the local league with teams in all the 10 provinces was guaranteed of financial support.
To date, Super League clubs are yet to receive their 2012 prizemoney and they claim that efforts to recover their dues continue to hit a brick wall.
Gumbo on the other hand told our Harare Bureau on Thursday that she learnt a lot during her term and promised to retain sponsors and look for more partners once voted into office.
Cecilia Mudzana is battling it out with experienced Elizabeth Langa for the vice-chairperson’s seat.
Seven aspiring candidates Trust Kwembeya, Rosemary Kanonge, Tsitsi Muzuva, Felistas Tongogara, Benny Mamoche, Edwin Magoswongwe and Cecilia Gambe are vying for the four board member positions.
Online Reporter