Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER ZIFA board member Francis Zimunya has said he will not heed the directive by ZIFA to banish the Zimbabwe Football Federation for Amateur and Social Leagues (ZIFFASOL) which he founded a few years back to conduct grassroots football development activities across the country.
The football mother body yesterday said ZIFASOL, which has conducted a series of football outreach programmes and has in excess of 4 025 area zone teams affiliated to it, was running as a “parallel” structure not recognised by the domestic football statutes.
ZIFA emphasised the organisation should stop its activities immediately while nullifying all certificates issued out by ZIFFASOL.
However, Zimunya set the ground for what could be a long standoff.
In a two-page letter directed to ZIFA chief executive officer Yvonne Manwa, ZIFFASOL president Zimunya said the ZIFA board in particular had no authority to clamp down their activities and vowed to take legal action.
“We are an independent entity that derives its authority from its members and its constitution. Amateur football associations that are independent of the national FAs are common world over.
“We borrowed our structure and constitution from the Scottish Amateur Football Association and we were keen to work with ZIFA as an affiliate but they refused,” Zimunya told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
In a letter that was also copied to the Sports and Recreation Commission as well as the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Zimunya listed eight reasons why he felt the ZIFA decision was unjustified.
A) On several occasions we have sought to have a meeting with you as ZIFA in order to exchange notes and see how we could work together in our endeavour to harmonise our work but, you have failed to accommodate us on several times by giving unfounded excuses.
B) You have closed the door for ZIFASOL to be in the Assembly without following the proper procedure as enshrined in the ZIFA Constitution as well as without giving us the reasons for such a decision that affects thousands of people that ZIFA has failed to reach out to for the past 20 years or more. May we remind you that every child has a right to education and skills training.
C) ZIFASOL is not a ZIFA affiliate as it is an independent organisation with its own constitution and rules and regulations that govern its operations.
D) ZIFA has the mandate to promote football and not banning organisations that are promoting and developing football in every ward in Zimbabwe.
E) The book of the land the Constitution provides for freedom of association that ZIFA intends to violate. This is also tantamount to violating people’s human rights, especially those living in remote rural areas in Zimbabwe where ZIFA has never set foot.
F) The ZIFA Assembly is now absolute they have no mandate to give such a corrosive decision of stopping stakeholders from developing soccer.
G) We are not stopping our programmes since our existence was born out of the Minister’s mandate and as well as our members and organizational initiatives.
H) If you continue to interfere with our operations, we will have no choice but to refer the matter to the Minister, the SRC, and will go for arbitration.
“In the meantime, we urge you to stop interfering with the operations of ZIFFASOL, or else legal action shall be taken against you without further notice.”
Earlier, ZIFA had released a strong worded statement against ZIFFASOL’s activities.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) wishes to inform the public and all football stakeholders that the application by the Zimbabwe Football Federation for Amateur and Social Leagues (ZIFASOL) for membership to ZIFA was not approved,” said in a statement.
“It has, however, come to the Association’s attention that ZIFASOL continues to organise football activities at the area zone level without the necessary authority.
“ZIFA reiterates that the organisation of area zone football is the exclusive mandate of ZIFA and its officially recognised members.
“No other entity is permitted to operate such structures outside the jurisdiction of the Association.”
The national association further nullified all football coaching certificates issued by ZIFASOL and instructed the organisation to immediately halt their programmes.
“ZIFASOL has been conducting football training courses without accreditation or approval from ZIFA. The public is therefore advised that any football training or education programmes conducted under ZIFASOL are not recognised and are hereby declared null and void.
“In line with the statutes of the Association and to maintain the integrity and proper governance of football in Zimbabwe, ZIFA has directed the immediate suspension of all activities organised under the ZIFASOL banner,” said the ZIFA statement.
The association also likened the activities by ZIFASOL to running a ‘parallel’ structure, which is not permitted under the FIFA rules and regulations.
“These activities constitute parallel administration of football, which is in direct violation of ZIFA regulations. All clubs and leagues previously affiliated with or participating in ZIFASOL competitions are directed to immediately align themselves with officially sanctioned ZIFA Area Zones structures.
“ZIFA remains committed to structured football development and calls on all stakeholders to respect and uphold the regulatory framework that governs the beautiful game in Zimbabwe. For any enquiries or further guidance, stakeholders are encouraged to contact the nearest ZIFA office,” said ZIFA.
