adminAugustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
A DEFIANT Zifa will go ahead and hold elections for provincial posts this weekend despite some reservations from the Sports Commission who feel that the nomination fees remain high. Already, five provincial chairmen have been retained unopposed as some of the prospective candidates pulled out of the race citing the exorbitant elections fees.
Candidates contesting in this weekend’s provincial elections forked out US$300 after the amount was reviewed downwards from US$1 000.
Last week, the Sports Commission maintained that Zifa should peg their nomination fees at the rates used for the last Zifa elections in 2010 when candidates for positions for the Zifa board paid US$500.
Already, the incumbent chairmen in Matabeleland South, Nkosilathi Ncube, Dennis Tshuma (Matabeleland North) and Owen Chandamale (Harare), who have all been supportive of the current Zifa board, have been retained unopposed.
Kuziwa Nyabeze will be replacing Godfrey Kombo in Manicaland.
Elections for the other provincial board members will go ahead today and tomorrow with Zifa dispatching teams of returning officers across the country.
Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze, former Zifa vice-president Tendai Madzorera, honorary life member Cornelius Bganya, legal practitioners Selo Nare, Tinofara Hove and Ralph Maganga make part of the teams that have been dispatched to the provinces.
In Mashonaland Central, former Mwana Africa United chairman Gilbert Saika is hoping to upstage incumbent Maxwell Pfumo.
Saika believes he can bring positive change to the province and lure sponsors.
“I promise the people that I will bring professionalism in running football and I have the experience having worked within the Northern Region and then running a Premiership club.
“We need to do all things in a transparent manner so that we get sponsors and that teams are promoted on merit.
“So I promise the clubs that if I win, I will be open to public scrutiny since this is a public office and we also need to work on getting a team from the province into the Premiership,” said Saika.
Former Zifa board member Tonderai Choga is also hoping for a comeback into mainstream football administration when he faces David Mpuli in Mashonaland East.
Horace Ndubiwa and Washington Chimhanda square off in Bulawayo, with Austin Chishanga being challenged by Solomon Nyathi in the Midlands.
Retired referee Pascal Zata is contesting the Mashonaland West chairmanship against Chinhoyi deputy mayor Derick Matapure. Naison Manyadze battles against Wellington Muchemwa in Masvingo, while provincial elections for women’s football will be held next weekend.
Elections for the regional posts have been set for February 22 with the PSL elections set for the following day, preceding the Zifa board elections on March 29.
Initial fee January 3 review January 17 review
Area Zones US$100 US$50 US$20
Provinces Men US$1000 US$750 US$300
Provinces Women US$1000 US$750 US$200
Regions Men US$1500 US$1500 US$500
Regions Women US$1500 US$1500 US$400
National Women US$3000 US$2000 US$1000
National Futsal US$3000 US$2000 US$1000
National Beach Soccer US$3000 US$2000 US$1000
National 1st Division US$3000 US$2000 US$1000
PSL US$5000 US$3000 US$2000
Zifa Board US$10000 US$7500 US$5 000
Online Reporter