Twalumba chief to challenge Gumbo

Ricky Zililo in BULAWAYO
Twalumba Football Club boss Miriam Sibanda wants to challenge Mavis Gumbo for the Zimbabwe National Women’s Soccer League chairperson’s position during elections to be held in Harare on February 23.Sibanda launched her campaign in Bulawayo yesterday where she met provincial representatives from Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and the hosts.

Also present at the meeting were Southern Region officials led by outgoing chairperson Elizabeth Langa who is seeking re-election as well as club representatives from Bulawayo.

“This is my first meeting with women’s football stakeholders and I chose to start here in Bulawayo because this is where women’s football started in Zimbabwe.

“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.’

“Stakeholders have to collectively define what they want to see happening and work together to make it happen.  This is the time to roll up sleeves and say this is what we want when you cast the vote on election day,” Sibanda said.

In the last year, there was an outcry on lack of activity in women’s football, particularly in the Super League, after challenges rocked their marriage with Marange Resources.

Sibanda is promising transparency and accountability in the governance of women’s football once voted into office.
“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, we will maintain the sponsors that are there and entice them to increase their package,” said Sibanda.

She said she would like to see sponsorship cascade down to provinces, area zones and schools. Her team has Elizabeth Langa as her deputy, with Inline director Trust Kwembeya, outgoing Mashonaland Central chairperson Edwin Magosvongwe, who is the co-director of Auckaland Queens, and Ben Mamoche tipped for board member positions.