ASPIRING Zifa president Twine Phiri wants the money that is injected into football to be channelled to the intended beneficiaries starting from grassroots level.
Phiri, a former Premier Soccer League chairperson and ex-Caps United owner, yesterday took his campaign to Bulawayo accompanied by his spokesperson Paddington Japajapa, who spoke highly of the football adminstrator.
His first foray will be improving infrastructure where he said his main focus will be schools.
Phiri said his thrust is to create a centre of excellence to produce the next Peter Ndlovus and other footballers of note that have graced the football scene.
He said he is not going fork out his personal funds, but Fifa-disbursed funds towards that effort.
"When I talk of improving infrastructure, I am not saying I am going to put money to build stadiums. I am not going to do that but what I will do is to use the Fifa funds to come up with a centre of excellence. Here I am talking about grassroots football using our structures which you guys came up with, Naph, Nash and tertiary [institutions]. In Zimbabwe, each and every child is entitled to go to school. When we talk of Naph and Nash, we are talking about school. So the infrastructure that we must build, let's utilise government funds, utilise their grounds, they are already there for Naph, Nash and tertiary,” Phiri said.
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He said part of his infrastructure plans include revamping the Zifa Village so that it accommodates councillors who vote the executive into office.
He plans to buy a house for Zifa offices and to turn Number 53 Livingstone House in Harare for women' football offices.
The veteran football admistrator said his target is to ensure he works with ethical people to restore integrity in football in the country, noting that minority games like beach football and Five-A-Side should be revived.
"My main goal is restoring integrity and accountability in the game. I have unfinished business with Zimbabwe football, which, if unlocked, will see us becoming a powerhouse,” Phiri said.
“We need to take beach football and futsal football seriously. Fifa gives money for these codes therefore they should be prioritised.”
Phiri goes into the election for the Zifa presidency where he will fight it out with businessman Nqobile Magwizi, former footballer Makwinji Soma Phiri, Philemon Machana, Martin Kweza and Marshall Gore.
Those that are angling for the vice-presidency are PSL chief executive officer, Kennedy Ndebele, former Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda, former Highlanders chairperson and now board member Peter Dube — all from the southern region.
The other candidates are legend James Takavada and former Zifa board member Francis Nyamutsamba.
Aspiring board members from the southern region Tavengwa Hara, Tizirai Luphahla and Chris Mtungwazi attended the meeting which also attracted Highlanders chairperson Kenneth Mhlophe and Zifa Southern Region chairperson Lloyd Munanga, among others.