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Petros Kausiyo
JUST over a year since their appointment to reform local football, the Normalisation Committee have finally set a date on which they will meet with the ZIFA Congress for the first of two decisive annual meetings ahead of elections for a new leadership at the association.
Since his appointment by FIFA on July 11 2023, chairman Lincoln Mutasa and his Normalisation Committee have gone about their business, without meeting with the association’s supreme policy-making body the Congress.
In appointing the Normalisation Committee, FIFA also acknowledged the existence of the Congress and respected the resolutions, which the body made at their last extraordinary meeting in Harare on April 23, 2022.
The biggest resolution to emerge from that 2022 EGM was the decision to revoke the mandate of members of the ZIFA board.
The councillors unanimously voted to recall the association’s president, Felton Kamambo, and two other board members — Philemon Machana and Bryton Malandule — and retained the rest of the executive committee at that EGM and installed Gift Banda as the acting president.
But since the coming in of the Normalisation Committee, they had not met with the Congress although they have had occasions to interact with some of the affiliate members, who include the Women’s Soccer League.
However, in a notice dated August 10, and released by chief executive Yvonne Mapika Manwa, ZIFA have now set October 18 as the date of the annual meeting in Harare. Mapika Manwa has not yet outlined the agenda of the meeting, which is expected to follow at least 20 days before the Indaba.
“According to Article 24, the members exercise their voting rights through their official delegates, who will also take part in debates of the AGM,” wrote Mapika Manwa.
“Each official delegate has a single vote and may not represent more than one member.
“Also present will be the ZIFA Normalisation Committee members, secretariat staff, Sports and Recreation Commission representative, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee representative and Auditors representatives.
“Each member is humbly requested to submit names and passport size photos of their delegates to the secretariat on or before 31st of August 2024,” she said.
Mapika Manwa also asked those members of the Congress who might have some proposals or queries to submit them via her office ahead of the meeting.
“Proposals and questions should be presented to the General Secretary on or before 17th of September 2024 in accordance with Article 27 (1) of ZIFA Statutes. 4.
“As per Article 27 of ZIFA Statutes, all relevant official documents to be used at the AGM shall be dispatched to all members on 18th September 2024.
“The documents shall include: – i. Copy of Agenda
ii. Minutes of the previous meeting
iii. ZIFA Activity Report
iv. ZIFA Financial Statement”.
“Delegates shall be provided with transport, accommodation, and meals as well as sitting allowances as stipulated in ZIFA’s financial policy.
“Please note that ZIFA will not cover the costs of or organise travel and accommodation for any other extra guests other than those prescribed on the delegation list.
“For logistical reasons, ZIFA will be unable to provide accreditations for any delegates other than the officially registered representative.
“We look forward to welcoming you in Harare and please adhere to the deadlines stipulated in this Notice,” Mapika Manwa said. Although the agenda will only be made public on September 18, lively debate is expected to be centred around amendments to the constitution and the contentious ZIFA audited accounts.
Online Reporter