Northern Region unveil key sub-committees

FRESH from leading the way in rewarding their outstanding players of the year, ZIFA Northern Region have upped the ante in their bid to conduct effective football administration under their jurisdiction by appointing key sub-committees to help the board.

Northern Region, whose Ruyamuro Division One League remains the only branded among the country’s four second-tier football divisions, yesterday followed up on one of the resolutions of their recent annual general meeting, which are also in line with FIFA practices, by unveiling the sub-committees.

Acting Northern Region chairperson Martin Kweza told The Sunday Mail Sport yesterday that football was a team sport that could not be effectively run if left only to the board and secretariat.

Kweza and his management have won the admiration of many in the domestic game for strengthening their deal with Ruyamuro Holdings, that now sees both the Soccer Star of the Year and the Coach of the Year driving away with cars at the end of each season.

Army side Cranborne Bullets gaffer Nesbert “Yabo’’ Saruchera was the first Coach of the Year of a Division One club to drive away in a car after guiding his team to Premiership promotion at the end of the 2019 season.

In fact, Cranborne Bullets made it a double celebration as teenage forward and Warriors trialist Kelvin Chibunyu drove off in a Nissan Tiida sedan after being voted the Ruyamuro Northern Region Division One’s best player.

Kweza said they had carefully looked at individuals whose collective experience and expertise could add value to the Northern Region and help take football development to greater heights.

“I am excited to announce members of NRSL competitions, development and marketing committees for the period 2020 to 2022 as was resolved at our AGM.

“We are cognisant that football is a team sport, and it is effectively managed through cooperation and involvement of our members. To foster this, we have come up with key committees which have been constituted by keen members with varying backgrounds and experiences, but who share the same vision to take our football forward.

“The respective members will soon go through an intense induction programme, which will conclude by reviewing the current terms and conditions for the respective committees and come up with a workable template for now and the future,’’ Kweza said.

Although domestic football might be currently grounded by the lockdown, Kweza insisted the game’s administrators could not afford “to sit and cry’’.

He also wants the region to be ready for action when football is eventually given the green light to resume.

“I implore the appointed committee members to hit the ground running and help drive our football forward.

“I wish them all the success as they work to help achieve the objectives of the league.”

To ensure smooth work flow, Kweza and two members of his board — Sweeney Mushonga and Stanslous Nyachowe — will chair each of the three sub-committees.

Kweza will head the marketing committee that includes broadcasting personalities Jabulani Ncube and Mike Madoda, Tafadzwa Bhasera and Morris Mujuru.

Mushonga’s youth development committee has former Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigowe, who is now in charge of a youth outfit Black Tigers, seasoned administrator John Remba, Lawrence Marumisa and Martin Changachirere.

The competitions committee, headed by Nyachowe, comprises Paul Tsvangiwa, Austin Chikwababa, Wilson Ngwenya and Hastings Makunda.

Northern Region sub-committees:

Marketing Committee

1. Martin Kweza (Chairing)

2. Jabulani Ncube - JB

3. Mike Madhodha

4. Morris Mujuru

5. Tafadzwa Bhasera

Youth Development Committee:

1. Sweeney Mushonga (Chairing)

2. John Remba

3. Nelson Nzombe

4. Lloyd Chigowe

5. Lawrence Marumisa

6. Martin Changachirere

Competitions Committee

1. Stanslous Nyachowe (Chairing)

2. Paul Tsvangiwa

3. Austin Chikwababa

4. Wilson Ngwenya

5. Hastings Makunda