ZIFA vice-president Omega Sibanda has ordered Zifa Bulawayo Province to put its house in order especially when it comes to issues of sponsorship.
THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Sibanda said this during a presentation of the 60 footballs to the participants of the Benjani Mwaruwari Tournament which was held in May this year. Mpumelelo won the tournament beating LMC 2-0. The participating teams that were given balls are Mpumelelo, LMC, Santos, Ajax, Chicken Inn, Bantu Rovers, Magwegwe Stars and Mvuthu from Esigodini.
The teams were given five balls each. Sibanda said he was disappointed in the way Zifa had handled the presentation as he had expected more pomp and fun-fair.
“Benjani is our captain and we want him to be recognised like any other sponsor not only in Bulawayo, but in Zimbabwe. This tournament has been running for three years and has produced Bukhosi Sibanda and Mthabisi Tshuma and you cannot treat it as something small,” he said.
Bukhosi and Tshuma turn out for Bantu Rovers in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League. He said Zifa had to organise functions that befit sponsor as “he (Mwaruwari) is doing this for football development”.
“Zifa, organise your house. Junior football is under Zifa Bulawayo Province and everything to do with junior league matters should come through your office. We want to make sure that sponsors get due recognition,” Sibanda said.
Sibanda thanked Mwaruwari for sponsoring the tournament saying they were humbled by his gesture. He said Zimbabwe football is down at the moment and that they should engage all stakeholders to map ways in which to develop the sport.
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“We can only complement what sponsors give and come together and speak in one voice. We need to engage all stakeholders including the media and unite for a common purpose. Let us avoid infighting and finger pointing and use tournaments such as the Benjani Tournament to gather and discuss important issues,” Sibanda said.
Winners of the Mwaruwari tournament were awarded medals, trophies and balls while the winners and runners-up were given football kits.
