Chronicle Editor
Ngqwele Dube, Mandla Moyo, Sports Reporter
THE country’s football governing body, Zifa is set to introduce a uniform football philosophy that would be the hallmark of the local game.
Zifa president, Felton Kamambo told delegates at the Southern Region annual general meeting held yesterday that his administration is set on the path of coming up with a trademark style of playing the game that would filter from the juniors to the top level of the game.
He said it was unfortunate Zimbabwe has stayed for so long without coming up with an identifiable playing style. Kamambo said they intend delving into development throughout the tenure of his administration and is making plans to ensure youngsters start playing the game at the age of three.
“I will be focusing on development during my tenure as Zifa president as this is where we have been lacking and it will focus on both the men and women’s game. We are however, not going to neglect the national teams as we also want them to perform well in the competitions they take part in,” he said.
Kamambo said they are finalising a memorandum of understanding with Spanish top flight league, La Liga which will see the latter provide technical and financial assistance towards the creation of strong grassroots structures which will be used to initiate the adopted philosophy. He added vice-president Gift Banda was suspended by the board, and his issue will be looked at by the Zifa Assembly.
Clubs that have not paid last year’s affiliation fees are set to be barred from playing in the Southern Region Division One league this year. Clubs were given up to 23 March to fulfil last year’s obligations by the assembly after a proposal by the Southern Region chairman, Andrew Tapela. Fourteen clubs turned up for the AGM that was held at a local lodge.
derick.khumalo