Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
ZIFA Eastern Region Soccer League chairman Davison Muchena, who wants to become a member of the ZIFA board at the polls set for this month, has outlined a bold vision to transform the country’s football landscape.
He said there was need for a multi-faceted approach to revive Zimbabwean football.
“We need to learn from the past and build on the successes of the Peter Ndlovu era,” he said, referencing the country’s football heydays during the Dream Team era.
A key part of Muchena’s strategy is the reintroduction of tax rebates to incentivise corporate sponsorship.
“During the glory days, companies would fight to sponsor football because they received rebates.
“We need to bring back this model to attract investment,” he said.
Muchena stressed the importance of running ZIFA like a business.
“We need to run ZIFA like a business, with qualified personnel and a robust business case.”
Muchena said there was a need to fund grassroots programmes, develop infrastructure and prioritise employee welfare.
“We must invest in our youth, build world-class facilities and treat our employees with the respect they deserve,” he said.
Muchena lamented the state of Zimbabwe’s football facilities.
“It’s a disaster that we play our home games in other countries. We need to start from scratch and build stadiums that make us proud.
“We need to make ZIFA an FA of choice, not just for Zimbabweans but for the world. With the right leadership, we can achieve this and attract sponsors who will help us grow the game.”
