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ZIFA Northern Region chairman Willard Manyengavana says they are looking forward to a fruitful season in their Division One League, as they hold their annual meeting in Harare today.
The meeting will see the executive and the stakeholders discussing issues concerning the league with the chairman and financial report being the major highlights of the day, as they review their activities for last year and map the way forward for the upcoming season.
“It’s a normal annual meeting where we are looking at the chairman’s report, the finance report and basically any other items from the clubs,” Manyengavana said.
All clubs are expected to attend today’s meeting including new comers Shamva, Banket, Cranborne Bullets, and Commando Bullets, who are returning to the First Division after they were booted out last year for failing to meet the league’s requirements.
The region is still waiting for Mashonaland West to confirm the promoted team between Chegutu Pirates and Golden Valley.
“Unfortunately, 17 clubs have been invited because the 18th team has not been confirmed. We are now waiting for ZIFA’s advice. This is one response I have been expecting since yesterday.
“In this matter we obviously have to hear from ZIFA,” Manyengavana said.
The teams were expected to have paid their affiliation fees by yesterday, which was the deadline with the new clubs paying $3 300, while those that were already in the league pay $2 800.
Manyengavana, however, said they will have to accommodate the team that will eventually be confirmed between Chegutu Pirates and Golden Valley.
“We will give grace period for the team that will be confirmed,” said Manyengavana.
The Northern Region chairman believes it’s going to be another fruitful year for the league, as they seek to continue improving the way the game is administered and to attract more sponsors.
“As usual we are operating in a depressed economy, but we are expecting some kind of partnerships with the corporate world.
“We are working flat out as the management committee to ensure that we have some corporate partnerships. We expect to be competitive in the way the game is administered and sponsored,” said Manyengavana.
In the last two years they have had World Navi and Supreme Panel Beaters coming on board to support the league at different levels.
World Navi, who were the main sponsors of the league in 2014, were back on board again last year as the Soccer Star of Year Award sponsor, while Supreme Panel Beaters have been catering for the monthly top goal scorer and top goal scorer of the year awards.
Manyengavana said the league is likely to commence on the third week of March, but they will have to agree on the dates with their stakeholders when they meet today.
Online Reporter