Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
ZIFA is ready to honour the country’s football luminaries in what is set to lay the ground for the setting up of the sport’s Hall of Fame.
The awards will be held on Friday at the Harare International Conference Centre in what is expected to be glitzy affair. Chairperson of the Organising Committee and Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda said everything was in place for the historic event which Zifa hopes will usher in a new era where due recognition is given to those who have excelled in the game in their various capacities.
He said they are still selling tables for the event and are open to sponsorship partnerships. The event had been initially scheduled for 11 November but was postponed to accommodate the match between Warriors Legends and Barcelona Legends. Zifa’s plate was also full with the senior national team playing two friendly matches in that week.
“We are on course to making history as we begin to honour our legends in football from players, administrators, referees and other stakeholders. The awards will lead to the creation of the Hall of Fame that will act as our Heroes Acre and be a story of history of our football story as a country. The Hall will tell the story of the beautiful game for generations to come,” said Sibanda, adding they will announce the guest of honour during the week.
He said they had to give recognition where it is due and continue to engage former players and all those who were involved in the development of football. There are several awards in line to be given out with the People’s Choice Award being the biggest highlight.
Four former legends have been nominated for this awards which is being voted for by football lovers through an SMS platform and nominees are former Warriors goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, Moses Chunga, Peter Ndlovu and George Shaya.
The importance of honouring yesteryear stars can never be over-emphasised given that the country needs to preserve the history of our national game.
Four other legendary players will be reportedly shortlisted next year, with a similar number set to be honoured in 2019 when the awards will again be reviewed with a view to improving them.
Other categories include best post independence international football player, outstanding Zimbabwean referee, outstanding senior men’s national team coach from 1980 to date, best Zimbabwean player abroad in the current season, among others.
During the same evening, the player with the all time highest number of national team caps is also set to be honoured together with all the past Zifa chairpersons and presidents.
Last week Zifa awards administrator Ray Mhangwa was quoted saying they have been getting a very positive response on the SMS platform for the People’s Choice Award.
“Fans should keep on sending their votes to 35553 on all the country’s three mobile network operators Econet, NetOne and Telecel. The voting process is going to close an hour before the award is announced on November 24,” he was quoted saying. A stellar cast of musicians that include icon Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Soul Jah Love, Sulumani Chimbetu, Iyasa and Ammara Brown.