The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
THE Zifa Southern Region executive is moving to replace former board member, Bryton Malandule, with a view to co-opting an official from the schools sporting bodies.
Malandule, who had been handed the development portfolio after winning a post in the Southern Region elections, is now part of the Zifa executive committee and has vacated the regional post.
Sources within the region say that while a final decision is still to be made on who will replace Malandule, there was a feeling within the board that there is need to choose an official from either the National Association of Primary School Heads or National Association of Secondary School Heads to effectively pursue the region’s developmental strategy.
“Consultations are still ongoing with a final name to be proposed but there is a strong feeling we should be getting someone already in schools sporting structures to ensure there is dovetailing of the region’s development activities and schools’ programmes.
“Lack of cooperation has seen discord between the region’s activities and those of schools resulting in lack of clear developmental results. Most development takes place at schools and although Naph and Nash now sit in the Zifa assembly, at a local level there is little interaction,” said a source in the region.
Southern Region chairman, Andrew Tapela said they are making consultations on the best person to co-opt to the position.
“We want to consult widely before deciding on who to engage, the position is important as it entails the production of future talent, which is critical if we are to come up with good future players.
“We will also be informed by our development goals and strategic plan as we seek the right person to fill in the post. We are eager to consult widely and will not be hurried,” he said.
Tapela said board member competitions, Sifiso Siziba is holding fort at the moment in the development portfolio.
In his manifesto in his bid for the Southern Region’s chairmanship, Tapela revealed his desire to see Nash and Naph working closely with the region in developmental efforts revealing there is more to be reaped with a partnership.
He added he would want to see football being played throughout the year at schools instead of the current scenario where it is an activity during the second term only.
Sources revealed that there were other football stakeholders rooting to have a coach in the post as it also entails organising coaching and administration courses.
