ZIFA committed to cleaning up act

AFTER a turbulent few years, ZIFA is conscious of the poor public image that it has, and is now serious about stamping out corruption. With the recent signing of Spanish clothing giant JOMA as their technical partner, ZIFA have also engaged marketing consultancy firm Openminds Digital, to assist in the setting up of an independent sponsors’ trust. The primary function of this trust will be the disbursement of funds in an accountable manner as required, thus eliminating potential misdirection and corrupt practises.

The trust will have an independent and well respected board of trustees and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”) Chartered Accountants have been approached to take the role of fund administrators of this trust, reporting to the trustees.

Openminds will drive new sponsorship proposals and generate marketing campaigns. Stakeholders close to this initiative feel that this will bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the national football governing body, while at the same time enhancing the value proposition of football sponsorship.

The Mighty Warriors recently qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games, an achievement no Zimbabwean national team has managed since the national women’s hockey team qualified for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, where they won a gold medals. The Warriors men’s national football team have an upcoming qualification opportunity to take part in the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament to be held in Rwanda.

The Warriors have just completed camp in Bulawayo and are now in Lesotho to play their qualifying match. ZIFA is appealing to all partners, sponsors, stakeholders and well-wishers to assist where possible with financial donations, to be used for allowances, airfares and accommodation. The total required is approximately $50 000.

All sponsorship monies will be paid into a trust bank account which will be independently administered by PwC. All disbursements will be authorised by the independent trustees based upon approved budgets and PwC will only disburse funds based on the instructions of the trustees. ZIFA is committed to adhering to correct requisition procedures in line with good corporate governance. — zifa.org.