The Sunday News
Sports Reporter
CONDOLENCE messages continued to pour in for the late Zifa Bulawayo Province chairman Washington Chimanda (54), who collapsed and died in the city centre on Friday afternoon with the football fraternity describing the veteran administrator as a passionate and dedicated soccer person who managed to serve the sport with distinction.Chimanda, a teacher, came into football administration in the 1990s when he was elected into the Bulawayo Province executive as treasurer. He rose through the ranks to become chairman.
In a condolence message, Zifa president Philip Chiyangwa described Chimanda as someone who was always ready to lend his expertise for the benefit of the game in the country.
“Mr Chimanda was a humble, well-spoken, diligent and a very knowledgeable football administrator whose contribution to the game will be difficult to fill. He was always ready to lend his expertise for the benefit and development of football in the Southern region and to the Zifa Assembly. The Zimbabwean football fraternity has indeed lost a valuable asset and it would be very difficult to replace him,” said Chiyangwa.
“We are optimistic that those who passed through his hands will continue to serve football with equal dedication, pride and humility in his honour. On behalf of the Zifa Executive Committee, the Zifa Assembly, and the entire football family and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved Chimanda family during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult moment. May the family find comfort in the Lord. May his soul rest in peace,” concluded Chiyangwa.
In a statement the Premier Soccer League said Chimanda distinguished himself as a dedicated administrator and he would be fondly remembered for his commitment to football development. The league said Chimanda’s passion for junior football saw Bulawayo being one of the few provinces with a functioning juniors league that produced several players.
“We join the Sithole family and the entire football fraternity in mourning the loss of an illustrious servant of football. We would like to extend our most sincere condolences to the entire Sithole family. May the Lord be with you and comfort you during this time of grief, our thoughts and prayers are with you,” read the statement.
Zifa Southern Region chairman Musa Mandaza said Chimanda had a passion for juniors and ensured the junior leagues ran smoothly.
“He was a father figure, down to earth who worked tirelessly for the game. We have been receiving calls from all over the country mourning his death and former provincial chairman Thabiso Dube who is in the United Kingdom also called, a sign of the relationship Chimanda had with people. We will sorely miss him and the gap he has left will certainly be difficult to fill,” said Mandaza.
Fellow executive member, Siphambaniso Dube said Chimanda’s death was a huge loss to both the football world and education sector adding it was a personal loss for him as they had cultivated a very close relationship in the more than 15 years they have worked together.
“To me he was more than a colleague because I looked up to him as a father, brother and a friend. He was mentor, a guiding figure and all I know about football I learnt it from him. He made sure the league survived during difficult times when money was difficult to come by and ensured we are the beacon of administration in the country.
“It is so unfortunate because he had already written the speech for the annual general meeting scheduled for 20 February and we were just waiting for the day to arrive,” said Dube who worked with Chimanda since 2002.
Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda said Chimanda was one of the veteran football administrators in the country who excelled in their duties and had passion for junior development.
He said Chimanda was a cool, quiet man, who was a unifier and would be difficult to replace. Bafa chairman Chris Mtungwazi said football would be poorer without Chimanda, who was instrumental in giving Bafa a promotional slot in Division Three.
Chimanda is survived by wife Susan, and two children Tapiwa (27) and Vusa (20). Mourners are gathered at 8988 in Cowdray Park and burial arrangements are yet to be announced.
