adminNgqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
ZIFA Southern Region chairman Musa Mandaza has appealed for the recognition of football administrators saying that there should be documentation that should recognise their achievements. Mandaza said despite administrators playing a crucial role in ensuring the success of the sport, there was little information on officials’ roles in the sport, even at Zifa offices.
He highlighted the issue during the Zifa Southern Region Machache Meats Players Awards ceremony held last Friday and went on to honour two administrators on the day, Zifa Bulawayo Province board member marketing John Mutero and Zifa Matabeleland North chairman Dennis Tshuma with certificates of appreciation.
Mandaza said lack of archives on administrators, their role and happenings during their tenure was an anomaly that should be immediately addressed.
“Go to the Zifa offices and you won’t find any archives on administrators yet they play a crucial role in the running of football and nurturing of talent. While coaches are generally responsible for player development there are always administrators behind the scenes playing an important part. We should honour them and keep their history alive,” said Mandaza.
The veteran administrator said there should be special awards created for administrators in the same way players and coaches were given due reward for their efforts on the pitch.
Mandaza said there should be a museum of some kind where people could go and learn about the works of the past administrators.
Mutero and Tshuma had done tremendous work in their respective roles and it was imperative they be honoured and duly rewarded, said Mandaza
“Mutero has selflessly assisted young players while chipping in now and again whenever he can, financially for the development of the game. Tshuma’s exploits in Matabeleland North are well known, having overseen the increase of teams from the province in the Division One league and recently Tsholotsho FC has managed to make it into the Premier Soccer League which is a great achievement,” he said.
Mandaza said one of the leading lights is football administration was Highlanders’ chief executive officer, Ndumiso Gumede, but it was likely there was little information about him at the Zifa offices.
He said Gumede had contributed a lot in his many years in football administration and although he had been made an honourary Zifa life member it was critical that his efforts were documented and made accessible to all and sundry.
Tshuma expressed delight at being honoured for his efforts and said he would continue working hard in order to uplift the football standards in the province.
When Tshuma came into the provincial committee in 2001 as vice chairman, there was only ZPC Hwange in the Division One league but through his efforts the numbers had increased significantly with teams such Technosphere, Makomo Resources, Kujatana and Mpumalanga competing for a place in the Premiership.
“It was great to see Mat North-based teams fighting it out for the championship and I believe next year we are going to see another team from the province going through to the Premiership because Technosphere and Makomo seem to be up for the challenge and they will be among the top teams.
“Makomo is well resourced and if they use their resources well they can storm the Premiership,” he said.
Tshuma, who assumed the role of chairman in 2006, however, said there were numerous challenges facing teams in Matabeleland North particularly relating to transport because of the size of the province.
He said businessman, Kenny Sambo and Hwange Colliery Estates manager, Perekeyi Mapanga had proved vital in assisting the provincial league, with financial and material support.
Zifa has mooted the idea of coming up with a hall of fame that would give due recognition to all those involved in football across the board including players, administrators and referees among others.
The country’s football body has indicated that their new offices will also include a library where football history will be documented and a room for a hall of fame made available.
Online Reporter