
Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Benza, a candidate for the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) board, has outlined an ambitious plan to revitalise the country’s football scene, with a focus on securing corporate sponsorship, promoting financial transparency, and harnessing the power of research and innovation.
Speaking ahead of the January 25 ZIFA board elections, Benza emphasised the need for the corporate world to re-engage with Zimbabwean football, citing the challenges faced by teams at all levels, from grassroots to professional.
“We have teams struggling to fulfill their fixtures due to transport costs, and it’s imperative that we attract corporate sponsorship to support our leagues,” Benza said.
“However, we must also demonstrate financial discipline and transparency to reassure our sponsors that their funding is being used effectively.”
Benza also highlighted the potential benefits of forging alliances between football and academia, citing the thousands of graduates produced by Zimbabwean universities each year.
“By partnering with our universities, we can tap into the research expertise and innovative thinking that can help us address the challenges facing our football,” Benza explained.
“This can range from studying the impact of football on local economies to developing new technologies that can enhance the fan experience.”
In addition, Benza wants to drive support from government through legislation that can provide tax benefits for businesses supporting football.
“While government funding is essential, we must also encourage businesses to invest in our football ecosystem,” Benza said.
“By providing tax incentives, we can create a win-win situation that benefits both the private sector and our football community.”
Benza added that the potential economic benefits of a thriving football industry, citing the foreign currency earnings generated by Zimbabwean players abroad, as well as the spin-off benefits for tourism and other industries.
“Football can be a powerful driver of economic growth, and it’s essential that we develop a clear strategy for achieving this goal,” Benza said.
“With the right approach, we can create a vibrant football ecosystem that benefits not just our teams and players, but the entire country.”