Amend Zifa constitution, govt must directly fund f...

Amend Zifa constitution, govt must directly fund football, Restructuring Committee report says

Zim Now Writer

The Zifa Restructuring Committee report released by the Sports and Recreation Commission yesterday has recommended constitutional amendments and government budgetary support among others.

The nine-member committee was appointed following the suspension of the Felton Kamambo-led board and ran the affairs of the football association up to April 2022 when a new board came in.

This comes as the SRC fired the Kamambo-led board over a slew of allegations, to which world football governing body Fifa responding by suspending Zimbabwe from international football activities, citing government interference in sport.

One of their key mandates of the restructuring committee was to formulate a strategic roadmap towards addressing the issues that have dogged football management and administration in the country.

The report noted that the Zifa constitution is outdated and that there is no strict observance of it by all the association’s structures.

Perhaps one of the most critical constitutional amendments recommended was the barring of those in public offices and politicians from holding posts within Zifa in order to avoid a clash of interests.

They also felt that there should be a term limit for Zifa councillors.

The committee also urged government to give direct budgetary and administration support to the national teams, especially the Warriors and Mighty Warriors.

The adoption of a standardised system that would help develop vibrant junior and women’s leagues as well as competitions also emerged from the recommendations of the restructuring committee.

Noting the state of the country’s stadiums, which reportedly do not meet Confederation of African Football and Fifa standards, the committee recommended that Zifa takes a lead role in lobbying for the refurbishment of football facilities in the country.