The Sunday News
Sports Correspondent
THE Bulawayo Amateur Football Association are gunning for a promotional league status that will see champions being promoted to Zimbabwe Football Association Bulawayo Province Division Three.
To that effect Bafa chairman Chris Mtungwazi has already written to Zifa requesting that winners of their league be given the first option of getting a slot into Division Three.
Mtungwazi said several teams were buoyed by the success of Bulawayo City Council side, Bulawayo City that decided to apply for a place in Division Three. The team subsequently achieved phenomenal success and is now nestled in the Southern Region Division One League.
If granted the request, Mtungwazi said the move might certainly see more teams angling to join Bafa, more competition within the league as there would be something worth fighting for.
“Several enquiries from our teams have necessitated us to forward the request to you. Inspired by the good progress of BCC Golden Stars, our teams have ‘dared to dream,’’’ wrote Mtungwazi, in a letter to Zifa Bulawayo Province chairman, Washington Chimanda.
“Not only will it increase competition within Bafa but it will also improve the standard of football,” added Mtungwazi.
In the current set-up teams that want to be admitted to Division Three, apply to the Zifa Bulawayo province.
After playing in Bafa for several years, BCC Golden Stars decided to move a rung higher and applied to be admitted to Division Three in 2012. They were promoted to Division Two and a year later into Division One last year.
The team, which has changed its name to Bulawayo City FC, is this year gunning for promotion into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Mtungwazi said they hoped their request would be acceded to give their league more weight.
“It will certainly be a welcome development that will change the competition within our league. I am sure we would have more teams flocking to us and it will increase the level of competition. Developmental sides will also see reason to come to us as we are a cheaper alternative than other leagues.”
“However, if a team wins and feels it is not ready for a higher league then they can make way for others,” he said.
Chimanda welcomed Bafa’s proposal saying although they were yet to meet as a board to discuss the issue there was a general feeling that it was a noble idea.
“Yes, I saw their request and we welcome the idea fully because it will be good for the development of the game. It is better than just having teams apply to be admitted to D3 as they will fight for the position hence the team would have worked hard to get the promotion,” he said.
Chimanda said they will be meeting on Wednesday as a board to deliberate on the issue.
Meanwhile, Mtungwazi said there were eight new teams that have expressed interest in joining Bafa this year. He said the teams have submitted their applications but their seriousness will only be seen when they pay their affiliation and player registration fees.
Mtungwazi said they were looking at kick-starting the league early next month.
