NOT NECESSARILY SPORT by MARC POZZO
Whatever newspapers, website, radio channel I visit, the upcoming ZIFA elections seem to be the dominant topic of discussion.
The presidency and vice presidency are a done deal. Philip Chiyangwa and Omega Sibanda are once again going unopposed, as they continue to control the country’s favourite sport, with an iron fist and self agenda. Both are politicians and this surely is a conflict of interest. How can they be chairman and vice chairman of ZIFA?
I have always wondered who they report to and who are they accountable to? Themselves, I guess!
At the present moment we have no Sports Recreation Commission (SRC) executive. This is surely the time the SRC is most needed, to oversee this whole debacle and sort ZIFA out once and for all. Let’s be honest; these two are not the people’s choice to run football. The new Minister of Sport Kirsty Coventry, needs to nip this in the bud sooner rather than later. Priority should be given to the appointment of a new SRC executive that can take charge and ensure not only ZIFA, ZC, ZRU – who are totally broke – are sorted out with proper accountable structures.
I just cannot believe something like this has not been given priority.
And it gets messy. There are reports of people trying to get into the executive with intentions of doing good for football who have now been framed for fabricated rape cases etc. Who has come up with these accusations? The individuals that have applied are applying because they believe they can offer football something that can take the game forward. I believe their intentions are clear and that’s commendable.
My co-radio presenter Barry Manandi is one of them. I happened to question why would he want to put himself through this rigorous, and at times degrading process. His response was simple. “I love the game, and having just been to that absolute chaos match, at the National Sports Stadium to watch the Warriors, I said to myself if I love the game so much I should offer my services to make it better. That match was a total organisation nightmare for ZIFA. There were fabricated gate takings and attendance numbers, and what’s worse is that ZIFA tried to blame everyone but themselves.”
In a local paper this week fresh details have emerged on how ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa allegedly used dirty tricks to try and ring fence his position from being contested in the December 1 board elections.
Disqualified candidates claim they were suspended from all football activities by the association after they had shown their ambitions to challenge the incumbent. I just hope guys like Barry Minandi get into the executive. He has the credentials and passion to do a good job and hopefully shore up some individuals in the process.
It’s “Movember” month, remember to all keep those facial hairs growing for the month, all for the support of cancer.
The two match ISUZU series between Old Georgians and False Bay ended in shared spoils, although the home side were given a little rugby lesson by the visitors going down 60-19 on the final match. The home team won the opening match 17-15 the previous Saturday. What a great week it was, showing off Zimbabwe to our guests from Cape Town, who were blown away by the country and of course our incredible hospitality which is world renowned.
I look forward to the return series in 2019, when Old Georgians will hopefully travel to play them in Cape Town, as they will be celebrating their 90th anniversary next year.
