ZIFA vice-presidency candidate Kennedy Ndebele says his football passion and experience can help bring joy to Zimbabwe again football ahead of the January 25 elections.
Ndebele will battle it out with Omega Sibanda, an ex-vice-president of the association, former Highlanders’ chairman and board member Peter Dube, James Takavada and Francis Nyamutsamba in the new board.
The outgoing Premier Soccer League chief executive officer believes football in the country has suffered unprecedented setbacks.
“I have a passion for football and I want to share my continuous 25 years’ experience in football administration and management and address the malaise that has been there for the past 15 years,” Ndebele said.
“Football has faced a myriad of challenges that have stifled its growth and development.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent suspension from Fifa membership exacerbated the situation, leaving the game in dire need of reform on all fronts.
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“It is important to realise the need and commit to a paradigm shift in the entire football organisation’s governance and operational approaches.”
The veteran administrator said he was aware of the role of the Zifa vice-president, which is critical to the operations of the association.
“I understand the role of the VP as critical in the organisation’s policy formulation, strategic planning processes, implementation oversight and image presentation,” Ndebele said.
“The VP must be knowledgeable about the operations of the FA’s various action centres yet be mature enough to guide and allow deployments to implement programs.
“The VP must be in accord with the ultimate FA president, who is the arrow head of the organisation, for progress and success to be achieved by the entire leadership team.”
He added: “We have to be transparent and responsible to the members of Zifa, government, Fifa and Caf and other stakeholders.
“Once we get into the office, it is important for us to get the full picture on the status football. We need structures for area zones, districts, provinces and regions and we do a needs assessment.”
Ndebele, a regional Fifa instructor, said Zifa should come with a communications and marketing plan, touching on a number of issues that included infrastructural development, grassroots and youth development, women’s and amateur football.
“If elected, we will help the president, executive committee and members of Zifa to come up with a proper communication and marketing plan. It is important to communicate effectively as this would help in improving the image of the brand Zifa,” he said.
“We need to embark on construction of Zifa head offices followed by regional training centres. We will help the president liaise with stakeholders. The president nor the association cannot build stadia at this stage.
“All we can do is to lobby government, local authorities and the private sector to support football programmes, to construct or improve stadia to required standards.”
On football development, he said: “Grassroots and youth football is a lifeblood of our game. It’s important to engage schools and discuss competition formats, equipment that they will use right through those ages.
“Fortunately for Naph [National Association for Primary Heads] and Nash [National Association for Secondary Heads], they are members of the Zifa Assembly although the two organisations have not effectively been used to promote grassroots and youth football.
“Again, we need to appreciate individuals and other organisations who have set up academies. We must enforce regulations on the transfer and register of players where schools, academies and youth clubs that produce young players, must be compensated.
“It’s important that we regulate, supervise and ensure nurturing of young talent. We must be transparent, and accountable collectively. I am pleased that the new Zifa statutes do not provide for an emergency committee which previously was making decisions outside the executive and assembly.”
He declared zero-tolerance on corruption, which he said had a negative impact on sponsorships.
“We will have zero tolerance on corruption and other vices. In order for us to attract sponsorship, the association must have a good reputation and project a good image,” Ndebele said.
A former Highlanders secretary and chairman, Ndebele was the marketing director for the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games and co-ordinator of the Cosafa 2009 tournament.
He is a holder of a Science Politics and Administration (Hons) Degree (UZ), a Diploma in Management of Olympic Sport Organisations (IOC), and a FIFA FUTURO III Regional Instructor Administration and Management Certificate.