Cosafa games organising officials take time off
FOOTBALL administrators and volunteers, who are behind the smooth running of the 2017 Cosafa Women Championships, took a leaf from the saying “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” on Tuesday when they traded their office ties for football uniforms.
Visiting Cosafa officials squared off against the Local Organising Committee members at Archers Club as they showed off their football “skills” and as they socialised in an informal gathering. The evening started with the football match that was won 2-1 by visiting Cosafa officials and was later followed by a cocktail that saw the officials party into the night.
Speeches were set aside on the day with wise waters flowing as the guests were entertained by acclaimed arts group, Iyasa. However, as the night wore, the officials exhibited their agility on the dance floor as they momentarily took over the stage from Iyasa, getting down to several yesteryear hits the DJ was playing.
There is a view among football fans that football administrators are those who failed to make the grade in the early years of their soccer careers hence they decided to turn to administration so they are not lost to the sport they love the most. The view could have been confirmed on the evening with several miscues during the brief social soccer game.
Visiting Cosafa officials, Laja Mosia and James Shihuana, both South Africans, said they had been pleased with the welcome they have received in Bulawayo, adding they feel at home in the city. Moisa said they have not been made to feel they are foreigners and expressed surprise at the high turnout of spectators at the games.
“I did not know people love football like this, particularly women’s football. In SA I don’t think we could have attracted these crowds but people here really love the game,” he said.
Shihuana said he would love to come and watch the titanic duel between Highlanders and Dynamos as he feels the atmosphere would be electric because of passionate fans. Zifa vice-president and LOC chairman, Omega Sibanda, said the event was meant to “loosen up” and give administrators a chance to share ideas in a relaxed environment and also to afford them a chance to enjoy Bulawayo’s hospitality further.
Zifa and Cosafa president Philip Chiyangwa (pictured second from right) also took time from his busy schedule to take some visiting football administrators to Matopos National Park where they visited various attractions such as Rhodes’ grave. The visit to Matopos was meant to promote tourism in the country through sport.