ZIFA poll: If we care, lets share
THERE is something auspicious, palpable even, about the Zifa elections on this weekend’s to vote in an administration to run the affairs of our local game over the next four years and the trademark epilogue of this column.
Sixty delegates will this Sunday go to the ballot to choose the association’s president, his deputy and four executive members.
But as we sign off every discourse in this space, our fervent hope is that the poll will usher in an executive committee that draws stimulation from the lifeblood that sustains what we are trying to achieve with these weekly installments.
“If it is about football that you care let’s share the cheer because we are made for the game, mad about the game,” has been the rallying point of our cause in every piece! And so should those contesting to be custodians of the most popular sport in the land take a cue: sincerely care about our football; share the cheer that it evokes as it brings us together if they are, indeed, made for the game which they should be mad about. While the local game had threatened to become ugly following all manner of allegations, spiteful bickering, and acrimonious counter-accusations that were traded between rival camps — which saw some being initially disqualified and later reinstated — after the plebiscite our football should turn beautiful again. Whatever differences there might be, putting the best interests of the sport first should bring the contenders together. After all, office bearers come and go but our football stays. At the end of the poll and whatever the outcome, football should be the biggest winner. If those in the running for office at Zifa do not act “For The Good of the Game” as the supreme football body once pronounced in one of their mottos over the past years, then we run the risk of becoming our own enemies.
The game is, therefore, bigger than any of the contestants and both the winners and losers should find each other after all is said and done to move forward and ahead with the game. The growth and development of our game should be the driving factor.
It would be utterly remiss, however, to fail to acknowledge the positive role played by the incumbent leadership under the guidance of Philip Chiyangwa which, laudably, has paid up the ballooning debt it inherited upon assuming duty and we have to build on this momentum and stay on that trajectory for continued and sustainable prosperity.
Looking ahead, the incoming Zifa hierarchy should hit the ground running in pursuit of the game’s overall goals.
The Warriors plunge into a decisive battle against Congo Brazzaville next March and the Africa Cup of Nations finals follow in June that, considering we qualify, they have their work cut out.
Not only the senior men’s soccer side, but our local clubs also have to be seen to be competitive and making an impact in the Caf Champions League.
Whatever we are going to do around the Zifa elections this Sunday should be important in influencing, shaping and taking our football in the direction we want it to go.
And all this calls for a prudently steadfast Zifa executive committee and council that bring cheer to the game which we can all share.
If it is about football that you care let’s share the cheer because we are made for the game, mad about the game!
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Warriors coach (Sunday Chidzambwa) must avoid fielding players like (former captain Willard Katsande) and give enough time to young blood who still need their names to be recognised. — Sabhibhi, Mutare.