Gumede, Malunga new Zifa honorary members

06 Apr, 2014 - 08:04 0 Views

The Sunday News

Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
FORMER Zifa vice-president Ndumiso Gumede and former Zimbabwe Women Football vice-chairperson Cecilia Malunga have been bestowed with the status of Zifa honorary life members. They were conferred with the honour at the association’s annual general meeting at the ZIFA Village in Harare last weekend.

The AGM preceded the Zifa board elections that saw Cuthbert Dube being retained as president of the country’s football governing body.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela confirmed the conferment of the honorary status to the duo, saying they were recognised  for their illustrious contribution to soccer.

“Yes, they were given the honour during the AGM, it was proposed they be given that honour because of their outstanding, undeniable and exceptional contribution to football in the country. It was proposed they be recognised prior to the AGM and the proposal was ratified by the Assembly last Saturday,” said Gwesela.

The two administrators join Cornelius Bwanya, Passious Masunda and Eusebia and Richard Maseko in the list of Zifa life members. Life members sit in the Assembly but have no voting powers.

Gwesela said life members play an advisory role to the Assembly as they were persons who had gained huge experience in football administration.
Malunga expressed gratitude at being given the honour, saying it would enable her to continue playing a role in football administration.

She said even though she was no longer part of Zimbabwe football, after losing to Elizabeth Langa in the recent elections, she was still available to the game.

“It is a great honour that I received with pride last week and would like to thank Zifa for giving me that award as it is a sign of the work that I have done during my tenure in various positions in football administration,” said Malunga.

“I lost against my best friend, Langa in the last election but I knew I still had a place in football. I have no hard feelings about the loss as I now gracefully take on a new role.”

Malunga has occupied different administrative posts in football since forming her own football team, Sizimisele in 1995 in Lobengula West and then she was voted into office as treasurer of Women Football Bulawayo Province and later moved a rung higher to the regional structures assuming a similar post.

She later moved to Highlanders Royal Queens where she was the chairlady.
Malunga was appointed to an interim committee that ran Sports and Recreation Commission affairs for a year in 2004 after allegations of impropriety against the then board.

After completing her tenure she returned to Royal Queens in 2006 until the dissolution of the team before she assumed the ZWF vice-chairperson portfolio in 2010.

Malunga said she accepted the will of the clubs in voting out the previous executive led by Mavis Gumbo adding they had to take collective responsibility for their actions.

“I think that is how football is and I cannot hold any grudges,” she said.
Gumede needs no introduction as he has held various positions at both club and national level proving to be one of the most astute and competent administrators ever to emerge in local soccer.

The former Zifa vice-president, who trained as a referee, was first invited to take part in the formation of a new national football association after the country attained independence in 1980.

He was at the time Highlanders’ executive chairman having earlier assumed the post of the club’s representative in Harare, a post that he assumed in 1974.

The former teacher served Zifa in different portfolios over several years and assumed posts such as vice-president, secretary-general and was also at one time the association’s chief executive officer.

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