Zifa councillors key to board sucess

Zimpapers Sports Hub

NEWLY elected Zifa board member Brighton ‘Panjap’ Ushendibaba believes councillors are key to any board’s success.

He said in the next four years while in office he will take time to listen and implement their recommendations.

Councillors are the drivers of Zifa programmes as they work at grassroots levels.

“When I campaigned for office I promised to listen and implement recommendations from the councillors. I am thankful to them for showing confidence in me and my fellow board members to turn around the local game. Now that I’m in office I have to deliver as per promise and I shall undertake to engage again with councillors once we have assumed specific roles within the board,” said Ushendibaba.

In an interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub, Ushendibaba took time to thank those who showed confidence in him with the vote that made him a winner among the 38 in a cut throat race as only six were wanted.

He said he had been left with a challenge to live up to it.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone that cast their vote to lead me into office. On the same token I shall work hard to win the confidence of those that may have had doubts about my potential. I promise to apply myself diligently for the good of the game and invite even those that did not even vote for me to disengage from election mode and start working alongside the new board for the greatness of our game. Together we can do a lot for our soccer,” he declared.

Ushendibaba’s arrival in football administration could benefit the less privileged communities in Zimbabwe.

Long before the election campaign season started, Ushendibaba was already supporting rural communities with football equipment for both boys and the girl child.

A believer of that football legends are part of the game’s ecosystem, he has run programmes involving yesteryear greats.

Nqobile Magwizi was voted Zifa president and will be assisted by Loveness Mukura and Kennedy Ndebele who were voted vice presidents.

Tafadzwa Benza, Thomas Marambanyika, Davison Muchena, Kudzai Kadzombe and Alice Zeure are the other members voted into office in Harare last Saturday.