admin
Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
NATIONAL football mother-body Zifa have moved a step closer to their dream of building new headquarters after getting possession of title deeds for the new place.
The latest development will see Zifa moving away from their tiny and almost dilapidated 53 Livingstone Avenue offices in Harare to a more spacious land where a new and modern office will be built.
While the Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela could neither confirm nor deny the latest development, impeccable sources confirmed to Chronicle Sport that the association’s chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze now has, in his possession, title deeds for the new place.
“The document was recently presented to Mashingaidze. What this means is that Zifa can now apply to Fifa for funding of the new place,” said the source.
In his response Gwesela said: “I can only say that Zifa is on the verge of acquiring new offices, we are very optimistic about that and very soon, we shall be issuing a public statement on the progress.”
He said Zifa was quite optimistic that their dream of having a new home would become a reality sooner than later.
The acquisition of new and bigger offices will be another feather of success for the Cuthbert Dube led board that has however come short in terms of national teams’ success.
The Dube board oversaw the building of the nearly complete state-of-the-art Zifa Village at Mount Hampden in the capital. An artificial turf was also laid at the Village.
Meanwhile, Fifa has awarded all its affiliates $250,000 that will go towards football development in member associations.
In his circular to chief executive officers, Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke said an additional bonus of $500,000 would be awarded to member associations after financial results from the ongoing World Cup finals in Brazil.
“Following the announcement made by Fifa president Joseph Blatter during the 64th Fifa Congress in Säo Paulo and the good financial results achieved by our institution during the 2011-2014 cycle,we are glad to confirm that a bonus payment of $250,000 will be awarded to all Fifa member associations.
“The bonus will be paid out immediately upon receipt of the application forms,” said Valcke in his circular to member associations.
The bonus, Fifa said, is intended for the development of football at national level and should be used in accordance with the long-term development plan of member association.
Of the total amount, Fifa said 15 percent should go towards women football.
“This is an obligatory provision and it is of great importance to the further development of the women’s game,” said Fifa.
derick.khumalo