ASPIRING Zifa board member Chris Mtungwazi has said the welfare of councillors must be prioritised.
A former Zifa councillor who once chaired the southern region area zones, Mtungwazi promised to fight for the equitable distribution of Fifa funds if elected into office.
Mtungwazi was given an opportunity to introduce himself to the councillors by Zifa presidential candidate Twine Phiri at the official launch of his manifesto at hotel in Bulawayo on Saturday.
“I will advocate for the recognition of councillors. Councillors have been projected in bad light. They must be recognised for their efforts. Being a former councillor, I am aware of what goes on and what needs to be done. I know the struggles and challenges that are faced by councillors. The narrative about councillors has to change. They take the blame for everything gone wrong. Councillors are business-people, well-to-do people and professionals. We need to give them due recognition,” Mtungwazi said.
Aspiring Zifa president Phiri indicated four councillors from the four regions will be his advisers when voted into office and he will establish a boardroom at the Zifa Village where councillors could meet from time to time.
Mtungwazi, who owns Rebels FC, playing in the Bulawayo Amateur Football Association league, said he will also push for money to be channelled where it is due.
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“We must make sure that the required funding for programmes is available. I have been in Zifa for some time in the area zone and there has always been promised that there is money coming for this and that but nothing has come through to assist those programmes. I am sure there is a significant chunk of money that is supposed to go for development but we have not seen any money. I will lobby for such funds to cascade down to the intended beneficiaries,” he said.
Infrastructural development has been a concern for most candidates.
“There is a strong need for us to really focus on development because that is where our game starts, that is where our game develops from. Development is not only on the field of play, it is multi-pronged; there is infrastructural development that we need, development of coaches, referees, players, both male and female. As you are aware, Zimbabwe is lagging in terms of infrastructural development that is why we play our home games away. We need to engage with the local authorities and the government, who are the owners of these structures to make sure that they are up to Fifa and Caf standards. We cannot blame council, they are not aware of those standards. It is up to Zifa to conscientise and ensure government and council are aware of the Fifa and Caf standards,” Mtungwazi said.
He will also advocate for women football development throughout the country.
Earlier this month, provincial and area zones chairpersons, Naph, Nash, tertiary institutions and Futsal leagues representatives met in group where they strategised for the elections and endorsed Mtungwazi and another candidate for the board members’ position, Gilbert Saika.
A benefactor of Young Flying Stars Academy in Bulawayo, Mtungwazi sits on the board of the Bulawayo Athletics Club.