Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIFA yesterday, unveiled two newly acquired branded buses, ending years of relying on hired transport for national teams.
The development opens a new chapter for the country’s flagship sports association, often a subject of ridicule for previously lacking basic corporate governance tenets.
ZIFA vice president Loveness Mukura who officiated at the unveiling ceremony in Harare, said the buses marked a shift towards better management and cost efficiency at the association.
“This is a very important chapter for us as an association,’’ Mukura said.
“In the past, we didn’t have buses under ZIFA and it brought issues to do with hiring transport whenever we had competitions, causing unnecessary inconvenience.”
Mukura said at the buses would improve logistics for all levels of football, from grassroots to the Premier League, and boost the image of national teams.
“Previously, as a federation we had challenges with logistics. At one point our Warriors went to the airport in buses belonging to clubs, which did not reflect well on the organisation.
“This is an exciting chapter for us because then whatever competition we may want to dwell in, we can actually utilise our buses comfortably and it’s always also a motivating factor to our national teams when they get to also see that the association is committed to giving them transportation and it also puts our brand out there to potential partner sponsors.
“They also see that we are very determined to make sure that the operations are smooth and that we open a new chapter.
“You can undoubtedly see that we are in a leadership that is concerned about putting a new formidable brand and that it will be a legacy, which we can leave long after our term of office has finished. Previously, you know, as a federation we were having challenges with logistics, at all different levels of football coming from grassroots to the Premier League.
“The issues of transportation were a cause for concern and at one point our Warriors actually went to the airport with buses from some of our clubs which did not reflect well on the organisation,” she said.
Mukura was accompanied by ZIFA board member for marketing and media Kudzai Kadzombe.
Kadzombe said having such assets like buses would also serve to make brand ZIFA visible, while giving identity to the players, coaches, administrators and even supporters.
She said having their own buses would also assist in ZIFA’s talent scouting mission in rural areas and other towns and cities across the country.
“We wanted it to be a surprise to give back to the people who entrusted us with Zimbabwean football. The buses will not be limited to towns only, but will go as far as Tsholotsho, Chisumbanje, Kariba, Mutoko and other areas.
“We can also send our teams to regional competitions on these luxurious buses,” Kadzombe said.
The acquisition, made possible through the FIFA Forward funds, is part of ZIFA’s efforts to address operational challenges and improve the welfare of national teams.
