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Raymond Jaravaza
ZIFA has reassured coaches working both locally and in other countries that the move that requires gaffers to submit copies of their certificates is not a witch-hunt but an exercise aimed at creating a national database.
There have been fears among coaches that the national football mother body wants to fish out coaches that are believed to have fast-tracked their way through numerous coaching badges.
a�?We would like to reiterate that by requesting all coaches to submit copies of their certificates we are not embarking on any form of witch-hunting. We are creating a database for our coaches so that we know how many gaffers we have in the country and their qualifications.
a�?Information collected will also be used to plan for future training programmes,a�? said Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela.
Deadline is on or before 30 October.
a�?Coaches within the country and those abroad are advised to furnish the association with copies of their certificates either physically or via email no later than 30 October 2016,a�? he said.
Newly-appointed technical director Taurai Mangwiro will spearhead a comprehensive coaching education programme which seeks to address key areas of football development.
For instance coaches are now required to ensure that they practise for at least a year after attaining a coaching qualification before proceeding to the next level.
The technical directora��s office will ensure that all coaches are certified by the association and that no other establishment is allowed to issue or organise football coaching courses.
The newly-appointed technical director, who is also a Caf regional instructor, is a holder of a Caf A licence and he also has a German International B licence. Locally, Mangwiro has the Zifa Advanced Level coaching certificate.
The 46-year-old former school teacher was head coach at several premiership clubs (Caps United, Harare City, Monomotapa and Masvingo United) and he was the National Under-20 head coach from 2008 to 2011.
Former Zifa technical director Takavaendesa Jongwe is on record stating that as of early 2016, the national football association had trained 41 Caf A Licence holders, 114 Caf B, 166 Caf C and close to 4 000 men are qualified Zifa Level One to Level Four coaches.
Three women hold Caf B in Zimbabwe while two are qualified Caf C Licence holders.
There are also 200 women with Zifa Level One to Level Four certificates.
Online Reporter