adminSenior Reporter
PROMINENT Mutare lawyer and former Eastern Lions, Highway and Buffaloes club executive committee member, Ashley Mutungura, together with current Zifa Eastern Region board member finance, Davison Muchena, have filed nomination papers ahead of the March Zifa Eastern Region chairman’s post elections. Deadline for nomination was Monday.
Harare-based Masvingo City chairman, Special Matarirano, who also expressed interest to be part of the race earlier on, confirmed that he had not yet tendered his nomination papers.
In an interview in Mutare on Wednesday, Mutungura, who confirmed having filed his nomination papers, promised to instil a sense of discipline and transparency in the regional football body while prioritising the need to secure sponsorship for the region’s flagship league – the Eastern Region Division One.
“My motto in this election campaign is ‘integrity in the game of football is everything’. My opinion is that it is high time that we help the new Zifa leadership in instilling a sense of discipline, integrity and transparency in order to rebrand Zifa.
“It is no secret that Zifa, for a long time, has been known for the wrong reasons and it is encouraging to note the initiatives are being made by the new Zifa leadership to instil these principles and that has also to start at grassroots level.
“I have no doubt that I will be able to invest all my experience, not only in football, but also corporate acquaintances to inculcate these principles. One of my major aims is also to source for sponsorship for the league.
“The league has been running for a long time without corporate partnership, while the clubs have been left to shoulder the burden. I am really looking forward to reduce the burden on the clubs in every aspect.
“The economy is not performing well, we all know that, hence why should we continue letting clubs suffer without anyone to look into their plight?
This is not a one man’s task, but I am strong believer in team work. I have no doubt that with the team that is currently there in the Eastern Region board, we will be able to succeed in all aspects,’ said Mutungura.
In a separate interview, Muchena, who also confirmed having filled his nomination papers over the weekend, said he intended to continue with the programmes and vision of the outgoing chairman.
“Yes, I have tendered my nomination papers. I did that over the weekend before the deadline. We see no reason in changing the theme of this term. So we will continue with the establishment of a well organised football community as well as continue to maintain a competitive league. We will continue to oversee an accountable leadership as well as continue to generate value for all stakeholders,” said Muchena.In a telephone interview on Wednesday, Matarirano confirmed that he had not yet filed nomination papers.“I have not yet filed my nomination papers. I will call you later.
I am in a meeting at the moment,” said Matarirano.The Eastern Region chairman’s post fell vacant after Chiredzi-based football administrator, Piraishe Mabhena, was recently elected to the national Zifa board in an election that ushered in Harare property mogul, Philip Chiyangwa as the Zifa boss.
Online Reporter