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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Football Association has further slashed election fees so that they are affordable to the majority of aspiring candidates.
Provincial heads yesterday morning woke up to a new election fee structure proposal sent to them by the Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze which is likely to draw more candidates especially for lower affiliates.
“Following representations from various stakeholders of football, we hereby submit the final reviewed 2014 election fees for your consideration.
“The revised fee structure takes into account the harsh economic operating environment and to some extent partially addresses the critical cost centres for the elections for 2014.
“The critical cost centres comprise the following:-
1) Full Board Accommodation
2) Transport
3) Communication
4) Stationery
5) Subsistence and Travel
6) Support Staff’s Upkeep
The reviewed election fees are as follows:-
Area Zones $ 20
Provinces Men $300
Provinces Women $200
Regions Men $500
Regions Women $400
National Women $1,000
National Futsal $1,000
National Beach Soccer $,1000
National Division 1 League $1,000
PSL $2,000
Zifa board $5,000 ;reads Mashingaidze’s e-mail. Few Area Zones candidates took nomination papers as most aspiring candidates felt $100 election fee was too high.
Area Zones elections were supposed to be held on December 23 but because of poor response, Zifa was forced to postpone the elections.
There was a public outcry when Zifa announced that those intending to contest Zifa board positions were to fork out $10,000 each with Premiership aspirants parting with $5,000 while those vying for the women’s football, beach soccer and five-a-side were to pay $3,500.
Those interested in going for regional offices were expected to pay $1,500 with provincial candidates depositing $1,000 to stand for the elections while area zone nomination fees were pegged at $100.
On January 3, Zifa reduced the election fees with Mashingaidze saying those contesting in the Area Zones were to pay $50, down from $100 while provincial office bearers were to fork out $750, down from $1,500.
Regional posts fees were maintained at $1,500 while national positions for women, Futsal, beach soccer and national first divisions were reduced to $2,000 down from the previous figure of $3,000 with Premier Soccer League candidates set to pay $3,000.
Those vying for Zifa board positions were to pay $7,500 instead of $10,000. Zifa has since been forced to further reduce the fees.
National Zifa board elections will be held on March 29 while all other affiliates are expected to hold their elections by February 29 and the winners will form a national assembly that will then vote for the eight Zifa board members.
The incumbent, Zifa president, Cuthbert Dube has already publicly declared that he will seek re-election and is likely to be challenged by Harare City chairman Leslie Gwindi with unconfirmed reports saying consultations are already under way to try and convince former national team players like Warriors coach Ian Gorowa, legendary Peter Ndlovu, former Warriors coaches Norman Mapeza and Rahman Gumbo to challenge Dube.
The women’s league boss, Mavis Gumbo, is most certain to seek a re-run and could be challenged by Miriam Sibanda of Twalumba Holdings.
Premier Soccer League chairman Twine Phiri is set to fight it out with Dynamos secretary-general Webster Chikengezha unless Highlanders boss, Peter Dube who is the incumbent PSL vice chairman decides to throw in his hat as well.
Online Reporter