Zifa retains regional, provincial officials
MEMBERS of the Zifa Eastern Region as well as Manicaland provincial committee retained their posts unopposed but sponsorship remains a challenge for the unbranded flagship Division One League and third tier Division Two leagues.
The Zifa Eastern Region, which consists of three provinces – Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland East – has the Eastern Region Division One League as its flagship league and cascades down to the provincial committee which manages Division Two and Three leagues in the province.
Chiredzi based Davison Muchena retained the Eastern Region chairmanship post while Kuziwa Nyabeze was also re-elected the Zifa Manicaland chairman.
Together with members of their committees, they were elected unopposed.
Muchena conceded that sponsorship remains a challenge and priority for the region.
“On sponsorship, we are doing everything within our power to get something for our teams. At the moment, we are in talks with our previous sponsors of the Diamond Super Cup, ZCDC and if all goes well, we should start playing our first games of the 2018 edition sometime in mid-October.
“We know that they have a lot on their plate as they have been bankrolling Manica Diamonds FC who are also fighting for promotion this season.
I also appeal to corporates in our region and beyond to come forward and partner us in football,” he said.
Manicaland Zifa chairman Kuziwa Nyabeze said
“Our re-election is good for continuity. We only have one new board member Innocent Mlilo from Chipinge. We are moving forward and recognition of outstanding players in our leagues has already started.
“We want to expand from current 38 teams to 60 next season for the leagues we are running as well as spread to every district especially Nyanga and Buhera. We also want to resuscitative Area Zones, junior league and assist woman soccer. Junior league is already starting in Chipinge and developmental courses for club admin, coaches are a priority. We also need to ensure our referees grow therefore we will facilitate refresher courses for them in conjunction with their leadership,” he said.
Muchena said he would work towards improving level of competition among teams in the region.
“My vision for the region is broad and developmental. I would like to see Eastern Region growing is stature to become the best in class in terms of the level of competition in Zimbabwe.
“Development of young talent and understanding of the game itself is core in our approach as we move forward. At the present moment, all our games are being played week in week out and I am proud to say over 98% of our teams are competing at the highest level.
“In terms of development, we have lined up a Level Two administration courses after completing the first stage last year. I believe that we need the knowledge in-order to take our game to the next level,” he said.
Muchena is now in his first full term as the chairperson after being elected to complete the term that was left vacant by former chairman Piraishe Mabhena.
However, he had been with the Eastern Region since 2009 when he joined as board member development.
He was later given the Finance portfolio in 2010 after elections, a position he held till 2016 when he was voted in as the chairperson.