Metro Zimbabwe
1 December 2011
Harare — The kitting deal between sportswear giant Puma and Zifa is expected to be concluded by year end.
Puma’s deal was among key issues discussed during a Zifa board meeting last Friday.
Zifa, who currently have no kit sponsor, hope that the kit deal will be concluded before the end of the year to enable the national football authority to unveil merchandise to the public ahead of the 2013 and 2014 Africa Cup of Nations and Fifa World Cup qualifiers, respectively.
The Zifa board also resolved that Zimbabwe should bid to host the next available Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
The 28th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations be will be co-hosted next year by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea whilst South Africa has been asked to replace conflict-hit Libya as hosts of the 2013 Caf Africa Cup of Nations.
North African giants Morocco will host 2015 African Cup of Nations with Libya taking over the 2017 tournament from original hosts South Africa.
Zimbabwe were recently given the rights to host the 8th Africa Women Championship next year on condition that government provides the necessary guarantee.
Another matter that came for discussion is the much-touted football indaba expected to tackle the financing of football which was supposed to be held last month but will now be held at a new date to be advised by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC).
Education and Sports Minister David Coltart has repeatedly insisted on the need for a football indaba that should unpack the financing challenges faced by Zimbabwean football.
The board meeting also approved the co-option of Zifa lawyer Ralph Maganga in the Constitutional Review committeee tasked with ensuring that the much maligned Zifa constitution conforms to Fifa statutes, the SRC Act and the laws of Zimbabwe.
The committee, whose other committee members are Chicken Inn secretary Tawengwa Hara, Tim Sangarwe and Tinoda Hove, is chaired by Cosmas Mukwesha.
The Zimbabwe soccer controlling body also resolved during the meeting to take charge of touchline advertising space in line with Zifa and Fifa statutes.
The issue of touchline advertising has also been a matter of concern to the Premier Soccer League who are in discussion with the Harare City Council.
Zifa, who have been a constant subject of derision because of the shambolic way they have run football over the years, hope to make amends by putting in place a strategic plan expected to be rolled out by February next year.