The Chronicle
12 October 2011
Government has pledged meaningful support to Zifa so that the national team is thoroughly prepared and qualifies for future tournaments.
Speaking at a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the mother body and the parent ministry for grassroots development, Minister of Education, Sports and Culture David Coltart admitted that it has not been a smooth partnership between the two.
“Our relationship has not been a consistent well-planned relationship, but that must change. Government has a role to play. We are cognisant of Fifa rules not to be involved in the intricate details. I believe in the future we will not only qualify for Africa Cup of Nations but World Cup as well.
“The Ministry is determined to help Zifa but we simply have to develop strategy to ensure this magnificent tem qualifies in the future,†said Coltart.
The Minister added that the up coming football indaba scheduled for next month which will involve the ministry and all the stakeholders should map the way forward.
“I have been wanting to have the workshop for some time and happy we have agreed to have it by end of November. Then we will have the roadmap which will govern the relationship. I need to underscore this cannot be Government only. We need to get sponsors for the national team,†said Coltart.
Coltart believes the Warriors with better travel arrangements could have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Had we been able to plan better as a nation we may have been able to perform better in Cape Verde. Because of the delays in organising flight tickets the team only came together 48 hours before the match and no team can be expected to perform well under such circumstances.
“The problems didn’t start in Cape Verde this weekend but goes back to last year when there was chaos with coaches. It affected the momentum we had created,†said Coltart.
Turning to the Fifa grassroots development programme, which will see the world governing body channelling out training equipment to primary schools, Coltart said the ministry would be supportive.
“I think this agreement is important. We will not explore the potential if we don’t start at grassroots. There has been in the past, a disconnection between Sports and Culture. And the key component is to integrate sports and culture and the Principal Director is pursuing the project which will complement the curriculum,†said Coltart.
Zimbabwe together with seven other African countries have been selected by Fifa for the pilot project which is meant to develop grassroot football.
And the mother body have been waiting for endorsement of the project by Government before distributing the equipment and resources to schools for the project meant for 6-12 year olds.
Zifa board member, Elliot Kasu said the project will involve teachers as well as parents.
“The pilot project will start in Harare before spreading to all ten provinces. Fifa will come in with the support via equipment and training programmes to teacher training in coaching and refereeing.
“It is targeting primary schools and there would much involvement of Naph, Nash and local authorities.
“We got the project because of the confidence Fifa now have in us. This can be seen by the visits we have been getting from Fifa, said Kasu.