Sports Commission of Inquiry Opens Can of Worms
Football Consultant Tinashe Mapuranga said football has become a two-men band to an extent that whoever criticizes Dube and Mashingaidze is labeled an enemy of football.
WASHINGTON DC — The government-controlled Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has been criticized for failing to deal decisively with problems bedeviling Zimbabwe’s football. The attacks came up at the ongoing public hearings initiated by the Sports and Recreation Commission-appointed Commission of Inquiry into football which is gathering information from all football stakeholders. Football analyst, Howard Musonza, said the SRC is a toothless organization that has failed to deal decisively with the problems that have for long crippled Zimbabwean soccer. Sports Reporter Merit Munzwembiri of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation told the Obediah Moyo-chaired Commission that the SRC allowed the president of the Zimbabwe Football Association, Cuthbert Dube, to fund national football from his own pocket and as a result he has become untouchable and the SRC cannot take any action on him. The Commission was told that Dube and his Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Mashingaidze, have become so untouchable that they do not follow their own constitution as they are suspending other members on daily basis. Football Consultant Tinashe Mapuranga said football has become a two-men band to an extent that whoever criticizes Dube and Mashingaidze is labeled an enemy of football and is thrown out of the game or barred from attending football matches. Suspended Zimbabwe Women’s Football chairperson, Miriam Sibanda, concurred saying she was refused entry into Rufaro Stadium when the Mighty Warriors were playing Ghana’s Black Queens on the same accusations. The hearing has drawn football followers from all sections of society including vendors who are unhappy with the way the Zimbabwe Football Association are conducting their business. Most if not all the people are of the opinion that Zifa have failed the Zimbabwean game and should undergo a complete overhaul. Warriors kit manager, Joshua Khumalo, said the association has sunk so low that Zifa cannot afford to buy their own stationery. A number of issues have also been raised including missing annual development funds from Fifa, the removal from the Zifa Council of bodies like the Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association, the Zimbabwe Junior Football League, and the Zimbabwe Referees Association. Khumalo noted that the solution to the problem lies in revamping the whole structures of Zifa, starting with local zones up to 53 Livingstone Avenue. Even Zimbabwe Women’s Football Association member, Ben Mamoche, said there was need for a complete overhaul of the Zimbabwean game for the benefit of all Zimbabweans. The chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, Moyo, said he was happy with the high turnout despite the short notice. Moyo said they are going to take into consideration the views from the public and make recommendations to the SRC. Moyo said they are hoping to complete their assignment by July 31st, adding that by mid-August, Zimbabweans should expect a change in the