Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
BUSINESS is proceeding as usual in Zimbabwe’s four football regions, despite the recent election of new leaders at Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).
The new brooms in office have not indicated any plans to introduce new blood at regional level.
In the Eastern Region, Simba Wisdom has taken over as chairman, following the election of former chairman, Davison Muchena to the ZIFA national executive committee on January 25.
Wisdom, a seasoned football administrator and former player, has been part of the Eastern Region leadership for years.
Wisdom has already begun making changes, presiding over the addition of new members to the Eastern Region board, in which he will be joined by Benjamin Chindima, a young administrator from Mutare, who was promoted to the position of secretary-general.
In a letter addressed to ZIFA chief executive, ZIFA Eastern Region administrator, Fungai Munyoro-Chingaira wrote: “The Eastern Region has made two co-options to the board. Masvingo United Football Club secretary, Simbarashe Mandishona comes in as a board member in charge of marketing, while Renco Mine Football Club secretary, Rodgers Banda is the new board member in charge of development.”
Accordingly, Wisdom has hit the ground running.
Wisdom has vowed to eradicate violence and hooliganism from the region’s football scene.
The former Buffaloes FC defender emphasised the importance of teamwork and securing sponsorship for the Eastern Region Division One League.
“My priority is to ensure that our region attracts sponsorship. I believe that team work will always be my priority, now that we have ushered in a new board, we are poised for greater things. As the new chairman, I am pursuing sponsorships for the region. It is high time the region gets a sponsor. We will also focus on capacitating football personnel to improve the game’s administration,” he said.
Wisdom stressed that hooliganism will not be tolerated, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for players, officials and spectators.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain an official comment from ZIFA regarding the timelines for regional elections were unsuccessful.
ZIFA communications manager, Mike Madoda, referred questions to the Normalisation Committee member, Nyasha Sanyamandwe, who in turn directed inquiries to chief executive, Yvonne Mapika-Manwa.
Manwa promised to respond after getting information from the relevant offices, but had not done so by the time of going to print.
