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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
RECENTLY re-elected Zifa president Cuthbert Dube and his chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze last week confirmed their participation at a Fifa workshop that starts in South Africa today before the Zifa elections which were held at the weekend.
The workshop is for football association presidents or deputies, the chief executive officers and technical directors. It is mind boggling that Zifa decided to forward Dube’s name for the workshop despite the fact that he was contesting elections which could have gone either way.
According to the list of participants from (www.safa.net) published on the day of the Zifa elections, Zimbabwe will be represented by Cuthbert Dube, Jonathan Mashingaidze while the third part is just empty and is believed to have since been filled by the new vice president Omega Sibanda.
Sibanda’s name was not on the list for the simple reason that by the time the names were forwarded, he was not Zifa vice president.
With the outcome of the election having torched a public outcry, answers will be demanded on the latest exposure of the happenings at the 53 Livingstone Avenue offices.
Contacted for a comment on when the Zimbabwean delegation confirmed their attendance, Safa spokesman Dominic Chimhavi quizzed this writer on why he needed the information.
“I know how a journalist thinks because I am one too. You now want to write that the results were pre-determined because your association sent in names yet there were pending elections,” said Chimhavi, a former Chronicle sports writer.
He added: “I will not give you the date but what I can confirm is that yes, Zimbabwe will be represented.”
The workshop will provide an update in a number of areas that include technical matters and the general co-operation between Caf and the world soccer motherbody (Fifa).
Dube will join 26 other presidents, association chief executive officers and technical directors for the indaba that will be held at Sandton Convention Centre beginning this morning and ending on Friday.
Participants are drawn mainly from the English speaking African countries.
“As we speak the president, his deputy, chief executive officer are already here in South Africa for the workshop,” said Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela.
Fifa secretary-general, Jerome Valcke and Safa president, Danny Jordaan are expected to address the workshop this morning.
Subjects to be discussed during the three-day workshop include Fifa governance reforms, new regulations governing development programmes, Fifa development programmes and services for associate members.
The delegates will also discuss the Caf development programmes like the club licensing meant to expedite professionalism in the game.
Other areas that will come up for discussion include how Caf’s associate members can maximise on the Goal Project and the role of the technical director.
Today, there will be a session on the role of the technical directors which will be followed by the bilateral meetings of the presidents and secretary-generals or chief executives.
Tomorrow, the workshop will touch on Fifa development programmes and how they can be used to grow the game on the African continent.
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