adminRay Bande Senior Reporter
ZIFA Eastern Region will have a new leader tomorrow (Saturday) when clubs in the region’s flagship league as well as three provincial affiliates vote for the new chairman on Sunday in Masvingo.
Prominent Mutare lawyer and Buffaloes committee member, Ashel Mutungura, who is favourite to romp to victory as well as Zifa Eastern Region board member finance, Davison Muchena are the two candidates that will battle it out in Masvingo.
A total of 18 clubs and nine Zifa provincial representatives from the three affiliate provinces will participate in the by-election.
The by-election is meant to find a replacement for former Zifa Eastern Region chairman, Piraishe Mabhena after he was elected into the national Zifa board.
Mutungura is a well known legal practitioner in Mutare whose romance with football administration dates back to the days of the now defunct Eastern Lions in Division Two before the team acquired the Chivhu United Division One franchise until it was promoted into the Premiership.
He was part of the Eastern Lions club executive for two seasons before the team was sold to Bantu Rovers.
In a recent interview, Mutungura, who joined Highway FC and later Buffaloes football clubs executive committees, said the hallmark of his campaign was ‘integrity in the game of football is everything’.
“My motto in this election campaign has been ‘integrity in the game of football is everything’. Like I have always said, 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 not a secret that ZIFA for a long time has been known for the wrong reasons and it is encouraging to note the initiatives that 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 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.
His competitor, Muchena wrote in his manifesto that: “If elected into office, Eastern Region will be run through standing committees made up by councillors from the Eastern Region just like Zifa, Cosafa, Caf and Fifa.
“There is need of rebranding of the Eastern Region in line with the national association’s grand plan to change the image of the association for the better.
“Build on the progress made by the current board with local, regional and international business leaders to get sponsorship for the region. We believe that the Eastern Region Councilors are very knowledgeable. Using committees will add value to the region as all councillors can now contribute to how the region is run. Rules, regulations and policies can now be debated and agreed upon before implementation.”
Electoral College:
FC Three Leaves, Mutare Poly, Tenax, Buffaloes, Dongo Sawmills, Africa Trust, Mtoko Traders, Surrey, Melfort, Hartley, Prime Rangers, Calvery, Mwenezana, Renco Mine, Masvingo United, Masvingo City, Chibi, Gutu and three Zifa provincial executive representatives from the three provinces:
Total: 27.
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