The Sunday News
Allan Foti, Sports Correspondent
AFTER spending two years as Zifa Central Region Chairman, Stanley Chapeta feels he did not have enough time ‘to have done what needs to be done’ in the region and is keen on another term when election time arrives.
The experienced football administrator is convinced that he has the capacity to turn things around in the Central Region if re-elected when elections are held possibly next year before the Zifa board elections that are due in March.
In a recent interview with Sunday News Sports, Chapeta revealed that he believed his two years have been fairly successful despite not being able to attract a sponsors for either the league or a tournament.
During his campaign, Chapeta told the electorate that he had an able and willing South Africa-based sponsor waiting in the wings to partner with the central region.
However, the downward spiral of the South African Rand against the US dollar, made it impossible for the businessman to hold true to his commitment as it would prove expensive for him.
“My sponsor was able and ready to pour in $30 000 into the Central Region, but when the Rand crashed against the US dollar, the figure rose and he indicated that he could no longer fulfill his pledge in the then prevailing economic conditions in South Africa where he does his business,” Chapeta revealed.
However, Chapeta said he has since been communicating with the businessman who has indicated that he may be able to finally throw in his hat with the region next season.
Despite failing to lend a sponsor for the league and overseeing the withdrawal of teams before the end of the last two seasons, Chapeta feels that there have been positives during his tenure, he points to the establishment of a development initiatives that have seen a total of 307 young players (57 girls and 250 boys) receiving coaching from the region’s coaches this year alone.
The region has in place a development initiative that has resulted in several training camps and festivals being held across the two provinces that make up the region, Matabeleland South and Midlands.
The festivals and training camps have been held in Redcliff, Gweru, Maboleni and Zvishavane under the tutelage of five coaches namely Patrick Mandizha, Rejoice Moyo, Massa Munorwei, Violet Jubane and Lindiwe Sibanda.
“One of the successes of this board is the establishment of a development initiative that has seen us send development coaches four centers in the region. The coaches have held training camps and festivals that have attracted a total of 307 children including 57 girls,” Chapeta said.
Chapeta also revealed that his board has managed to clear all debts that the region had as well as be up to date with the salaries of office staff despite having no sponsors.
He added that the region was also up to date with its Zimra and Nssa obligations indication sound corporate governance in addition to producing audited statements of the regions accounts. — @AllanFoti
