Andrew
Petros Kausiyo
Sports Editor
THE ZIFA restructuring committee, already hard at work to try and reform Zimbabwe’s troubled football landscape, have revealed plans to engage the public through hearings on different platforms as part of a wider consultative process that rolls into life on Tuesday.
Having been given just under a year to complete the mission and come up with a blueprint, widely expected to chart a new and refreshing chapter for local football, the committee believe they will need the input of all well-meaning Zimbabweans in their audacious bid.
Harare lawyer Blessing Rugara, who heads the team of experts, yesterday issued a passionate appeal to the game’s stakeholders and public alike to take part in their consultative programme.
The Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC) set up the committee in December with a view to have the men and women on it tackle matters of a strategic nature, as outlined in their terms of reference, in line with the provisions of Section 21, 19(b), and 20 (c) of the SRC Act.
And Rugara noted the need to also have fan engagement as they seek to find lasting solutions to recurrent ZIFA problems which include maladministration, a flawed constitution and defective structures of the association.
“The Zimbabwe Football Restructuring Committee appointed by the Sports and Recreation Commission as a year-long effort to transform football in Zimbabwe, advises the public that the committee will soon conduct nationwide stakeholder consultative forums.
“Preparations for the public hearings are at an advanced stage and the public will be advised of the dates in due course.
“These consultations are part of a process that will lead to the publication of a strategic report outlining a multi-year plan for developing football in Zimbabwe,’’ Rugara said.
He said the engagement would not be limited to those in Zimbabwe but also cater for stakeholders in the Diaspora.
“In conjunction with the public hearings, the restructuring committee is establishing technology portals to facilitate fan participation and engagement.
“These portals will increase interactive access to a wider football audience who may not physically attend public hearings. The portals will provide a mechanism for Zimbabweans in the diaspora to participate in the restructuring process,’’ he said.
Players, female administrators and ZIFA officials will get the roll-out programme underway when they engage with the committee starting on Tuesday.
“Further, the committee has confirmed meetings with ZIFA officials, female administrators and players. The meetings will be held the week of March 15th 2022’’.
Rugara’s committee envisions a Zimbabwean game that would make local sides a force on the continent and the national leagues for both men and women an attractive market for domestic and foreign talent.
“Future meetings will include other stakeholders.
“It is our belief that local fans should expect a football culture and administration that will result in hosting healthy competitive local leagues, leagues that act as vehicles for talent identification, development and retention, leagues that support the progress of women and youth within an empowering comfortable environment.
“These efforts must include the establishment of a progressive football development programme from grassroots level to competitive professional leagues for both men and women.
“Ultimately, the nation will have the key ingredients for competitive national teams that can perform successfully on the global stage’’.
There is also a lot of hope and optimism that while addressing the ZIFA challenges, the committee could in the process also assist other sporting associations that have been hobbling from one problem to another which are similar in nature to those faced by football.
Rugara is confident ZIFA can be transformed into an enviable entity for whom even corporate partners would want to get into bed with.
“For the realisation of these objectives, ZIFA will be transformed into a dutiful organisation that cares for players, officials, supporters, referees and administrators.
“ZIFA will lead by example, becoming a fiduciary institution that is beyond reproach as a financial custodian in the administration of football in Zimbabwe.
“Fundamentally, the committee seeks to create a sustainable and productive pathway for successful football in Zimbabwe.
“To this end, the restructuring committee has put in place principles of integrity, team work, inclusivity and transformation to guide the journey towards developing football. It will take time.
“However, the Committee is taking deliberate and significant steps towards finding a solution to the development of our beloved national game.
“The Committee is working daily to identify solutions that adequately address the current challenges in football in Zimbabwe. This includes identifying suitable pathways towards a positive re-engagement process with FIFA and CAF and creating a platform for significant growth in the coming years.
“The committee is appealing to every Zimbabwean for support,’’ Rugara said.
Rugara leads a nine-member committee that includes former Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) chief executive and International Federation World Rowing development manager Anna Mguni, international sports expert Tommy Sithole, banker Desmund Ali, lawyer Rudo Mugandani and former SRC Matabeleland Provincial Co-ordinator Brian Busani Moyo.
Doves Holdings General Manager Marketing Joel Gombera, former CAPS United administrator Joyce Kapota, CAPS United legend and former defender Charles “Raw Meat” Sibanda are also part of the committee, whose operations are being funded by the SRC.
Online Reporter