Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Football Association (Zifa) technical director Dominique Niyonzima has registered his concern on grassroots football in the local game.
The outspoken Niyonzima, who took over from Jethro Hunidzarira in August this year, did not mince his words at the Zifa and the Sports Writers Association of Zimbabwe (Swaz) one day workshop held on Wednesday in Bulawayo.
He said there is an urgent need for reinvestment in schools football, stressing that without strong primary and secondary schools structures, the local game will only go to the dogs.
“Youth and schools competition has proved to be a challenge in Zimbabwe,” said Niyonzima.
“We need to get numbers in schools, we need proper competition structures in schools and academies so that football can develop in this country. In that regard, we say no to age-cheating and with the full support that I have been getting from Zifa, we recently signed a document (Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) that is against that,” said Niyonzima further boasting about the backing he has been getting from the country’s football motherbody in his three months tenure so far.
“I have got all the full support of the Zifa executive. They brought me here because they want things to happen. It’s a collective effort and as such we need to get moving from the grassroots,” he said.
Despite the rise of junior development leagues, the country’s football, is yet to roll out structured grassroots systems, leaving most of the development burden on private initiatives.
Niyonzima also gave comprehensive ongoing programmes, including coaching education.
He asked the media for accurate reporting to keep the public engaged in the development process.
A few days ago the Zifa tossed a plan to build a world-class women’s football movement.
The plan, Women’s Football Strategy, was launched in Harare this week and runs up to 2028.
It aims for modest accomplishment, allowing girls, and rejoicing national distinctiveness by fashioning a game that emphasises values like excellence, respect and integrity. The strategy’s mandate is to develop the game through strong clubs, equal opportunities and a clear pathway from the grassroots to elite levels.
The plan is supported by five core pillars, each designed to drive sustained growth and success, which include growing participation, showcasing the image, striving for excellence, building foundations and building structures.
It also focuses on establishing sound governance policies and leadership to ensure the women’s game is professional, credible and sustainable. — @FungaiMuderere,
