VETERAN journalist Charles “CNN” Mabika has emerged as a possible candidate for the Zifa presidential elections set for next month.
Sports Reporter
The board elections, which have courted controversy with the astronomical election fees being charged by Zifa, will be held on March 29.
Mabika, popularly known as “CNN” could not confirm his interest in the position, but said people were requesting him to stand for the job.
“I have been flattered with calls from people all over the country asking me to stand for Zifa presidency. That’s all I can say for now.
“I am still digesting Zimbabwe’s failure to beat Libya in the Chan semi-finals,” he said.
Mabika will have to battle with the embattled incumbent Cuthbert Dube whose image has been battered following an expose of his $230 000 salary at the financially-struggling Premier Medical Aid Society.
Dube was also sacked as board chairman of ZBC leading many to question his abilities to continue as Zifa president.
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Though they have not officially confirmed, Harare City chairman Lesley Gwindi and soccer legend Charlie Jones are some of the names that are being thrown around for the top Zifa post.
If Mabika successfully takes over the Zifa hot seat, he will have followed the footsteps of German. Bundesliga chief executive officer Christian Seifert who also comes from a media background.
Seifert has been at the helm of German football since 2005.
Zifa has been at loggerheads with the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) over the election fees which the supreme body is saying are exorbitant.
The fees had been pegged at $10 000 for those contesting for Zifa board positions, but SRC objected.
They were then reduced to $5 000, but the supreme sports controlling body still feels the fees are beyond the reach of many and has called on Zifa to review further downwards.
However, provincial elections are already being held despite calls by the SRC to have the fees further slashed.
