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By Roy Moyo

6 July 2011

In a move to prove his detractors wrong, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart is flexing his muscles on Zimbabwean football matters.

The minister wants Zifa and the Sport and Recreation Commission to convene an urgent football stakeholders indaba that will ensure the domestic game reaps rewards from Fifa president Sepp Blatter’s visit to the country.

Coltart meet with Blatter during his tour of Zimbabwe. The minister joined the Zifa board, Sports Commission leadership and other officials at the Harare International Airport on Tuesday to see off the Fifa boss and his entourage.

Coltart said it was imperative that government led the way in assisting Zifa’s revival mission and felt that Blatter’s maiden visit to Zimbabwe would “re-energise our football”.

The Minister insisted that Zimbabwe had the capacity and potential to be a regular feature at the African Cup of Nations and also felt the Warriors could also put up a strong fight and even qualify for the World Cup.

Coltart said he had impressed upon both Zifa and the Sports Commission the urgent need for the football indaba.

“I have had a discussion with Zifa and the SRC and agreed that we need to have a fresh impetus to the indaba in August.”

Coltart said the main thrust of the meeting would be to find tangible ways for funding for football and also comes against the background of Blatter’s pledge to assist the association.

Coltart said it was also important for the Zifa board to focus on other facets of the game after they completed their probe into allegations of match fixing that had rocked the domestic game.

Coltart also said he had noted that Zifa needed assistance to beef up their secretariat and said the matter would also be tabled for discussion at the envisaged indaba.

ZBC recently reported that Coltart is with developments and challenges facing his Ministry the statement which the Minister dismissed as cheap politicking.

Herald

6 July 2011

GOVERNMENT yesterday commissioned 59 Nissan Hardbody vehicles valued at US$1,3 million to be used by district education officers in monitoring schools countrywide.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Harare yesterday, Education, Sports, Art and Culture Minister David Coltart, said the vehicles were acquired using money the Ministry of Finance allocated to the sector in the 2010 national budget.

He said some of the vehicles had already been dispatched to various districts around the country, while others would be distributed this week.

“This is money from the fiscus and it is a welcome development, which will show how tax payers’ money is being used.

“This is a clear testimony of the importance Government gives to the education sector. I am happy to announce that some of the vehicles have already reached their destinations and some provinces like Matabeleland can now boast of seven vehicles,” he said.

He said each province would get four vehicles and Harare and Bulawayo would receive two each.

He said to ensure quality education, Government would provide each of the country’s 73 administrative districts with a vehicle.

Minister Coltart said the vehicles would go a long way in improving the education standards in the country.

“Lawlessness had crept in the education sector and it is these regulations and policies that we want to restore in the sector with tight monitoring.

We no longer want to have excuses from the monitors,” he said.

Monitoring of schools by Government had been slowed, as most education officers did not have transport to move around the schools.

Herald

By Petros Kausiyo

6 July 2011

FIFA president Sepp Blatter flew out of Harare yesterday, leaving behind a Zimbabwean football community with a spring in its step, with prospects of a bright future powered by funds and technical expertise from the world soccer controlling body.

The organisation’s representatives in Southern Africa yesterday hailed the historic visit and said Zimbabwean football would never be the same again.

Blatter ended his 24-hour whirlwind tour of Zimbabwe by flying out of Harare in the morning to Durban, South Africa, after a maiden visit that charmed the nation and brought hope for a better tomorrow.

The 75 year old Swiss, the most powerful man in world football, pledged – as he left the country – to remain committed to his promise to help transform the fortunes of Zimbabwe football, which could see the country getting US$1,5 million in direct Fifa aid.

There could also be more, in terms of technical help, with referees and coaches also being seconded here.

The Fifa president, who was accompanied by secretary-general Jerome Valcke and some high-ranking officials including his advisor Walter Gagg and head of development Cyril Loisel, also met President Mugabe,

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as well as the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart and his Tourism and Hospitality Industry counterpart Walter Mzembi.

Fifa development officer for Southern Africa, Ashford Mamelodi, has urged Zifa to maximise on the historic visit to Zimbabwe by Blatter and turn the association into a professional and viable entity.

Mamelodi is Fifa’s point man in the region and the Botswana-based official has over the years been working hard to try and assist successive Zifa boards to turn around the fortunes of the game.

But Mamelodi reckons that although the current Zifa leadership has shown a passion and zeal to unlock value in the domestic game, Blatter’s visit – which ended yesterday – should be the tonic that should give local football a fresh impetus to grow.

The Fifa boss pledged the world body’s full support to Zifa in their development efforts and noted the challenges that the association has faced along the way.

Mamelodi also threw his weight behind Zifa president Cuthbert Dube and his lieutenants and backed them to succeed in their tenure at 53 Livingstone Avenue and revealed that the board had also charmed Blatter with its vision for the game.

Blatter – who toured the Zifa Village in Mt Hampden – pledged Fifa’s assistance for Zifa’s Goal Project and revealed that the world body was working on the plea by the association for funding to recapitalise their opera- tions.

Zifa have asked for US$1,5 million which they believe will jump start them and help pay a seemingly endless list of creditors.

As the Fifa boss flew off to Durban, South Africa, he also reiterated before his departure that he had been impressed by Zimbabwe and Zifa’s efforts to clean up the game and conduct business in a transparent manner.

But Mamelodi warned that Zifa should not bask in the glory of having had the privilege to host Blatter and “ensure Zimbabwean football really profits from this rare visit by a Fifa president to the country”.

Mamelodi felt that Blatter’s visit would bring a lot of positive spin-offs for local football and also give impetus to Zifa’s rebranding exercise which has seen the association trying to win the confidence of the corporate world to come in and partner the country’s biggest sport.

“History has been made… this was a very important visit, I am extremely happy that it was possible. We have been trying on many occasions to have him here including last year when he was visiting South Africa ahead of the World Cup.

“Zifa needed it…Zifa needed something like a visit by the Fifa president for the sake of their image in the eyes of the public, the government and the corporate world. We now need to build on this and the confidence levels that it brings because maybe now sponsors can listen to us,” Mamelodi said.

Mamelodi also shared the same sentiments with Blatter and said Zifa needed to be innovative in order for them to access Fifa support with the development officer suggesting an urgent strengthening of the secretariat.

“For me the reconstruction of Zifa must start from within, the governance structures such as the board and the secretariat must be strengthened. They need to present themselves as a united front and with full support behind their president.

“They need to take the initiative and Fifa will provide,” Mamelodi said.

Mamelodi said Zifa also urgently needed to appoint at least two key managers to help chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze in administering the association.

There have been genuine concerns that the set up at Zifa has meant that their chief executive is being overburdened as he has literally had to do everything in the administration of the game.

“We cannot have Jonathan continuing to run around like a headless chicken.

“It’s too much for the young man and it is untenable because he needs time to focus on his duties as chief executive otherwise we will all accuse of him of having failed yet he is also human.

“Zifa urgently needs a finance and administration manager and a communications manager. For me those are the priority areas that Zifa urgently need to address so that the board does not do operational issues, they can always find a marketing manager or officer later when they have filled those two key posts.

“It doesn’t augur well for the cohesion between the board and the secretariat if the board members are to be involved in the day to day running of football.

“The communications guy will help us with image building because we need to profit from Blatter’s visit.

“Zifa has been painted by a bad brush because of problems associated with previous leaderships, now we need someone who can manage a Zifa website and keep the stakeholders informed of the true picture of football”.

Mamelodi also warned Zifa against resting on their laurels and believing that Blatter’s visit would automatically mean a change in the association’s fortunes.

“You cannot go to sponsors and think you will come out with a big deal simply because Blatter was here, we need to put the Zifa house in order first.

“But it was important that Blatter was here and also met with the leaders of the country and this should be the catalyst that Zimbabwe football needed.

Blatter also promised Zifa that Fifa would avail funds for the third phase of the association’s Goal Project, expected to start at the end of September.

“Goal Project II is starting soon. It is regrettable that Zifa’s Goal project has taken too long but I sat down with the architects and looked at the master plan and the budget went beyond US$1 million.

“We will do it in parts and the initial one will be a totally serviceable and habitable camp house with adequate security. The next stage will be the training fields and the final component will be the floodlights around the pitch which will be natural grass.

“We cannot have artificial turf because it is too expensive, that would require an additional US$700 000.

“But we need a fully completed Zifa Village so that can save money and the senior national team can be able stay and train there. In the long term then we should look at a new Zifa office because where you conduct your business from is also an important place that can instill confidence in people.

“Everybody is happy with Zifa under Cuthbert and Blatter was impressed by the Zifa president’s inclination towards transparency, now we need to strengthen their secretariat and implement the resolutions of the Kariba declaration that we made last year,” Mamelodi said.

Statement by Senator David Coltart

5 July 2011

Senator David Coltart, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Deputy Minister Lazarus Dokora and Permanent Secretary Dr. Stephen Mahere commission 59 vehicles worth$1,3 million to be distributed to districts by government.

The Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart, today commissioned 59 vehicles to be distributed to district education officers across the country. The vehicles, which were purchased using $1,3 million from government, will help strengthen the ministry’s capacity to supervise the education sector.

Speaking at the event – which was attended by senior Ministry staff, including the Deputy Minister, Hon. Lazarus Dokora, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Stephen Mahere, Principal Directors and other staff – Minister Coltart said: “We are meeting here today to commission these vehicles to highlight government’s commitment to rehabilitate the education sector. Many a times we meet for such occasions to thank donors and development partners for their support. However,today we are meeting to thank government for its commitment to education because the funds to procure these vehicles- $1,3million in total- are from government.”

The minister thanked all staff members who worked hard for this day to come and expressed hope that citizens would rally behind government in its efforts to restore the sector. “We are here today in part because we believe it is important for citizens and tax-payers to know where their money is going, and about government’s efforts to strengthen the education sector.”“The Government of Zimbabwe has made the revival of the education sector an increasingly important part of its strategy for the country’s rehabilitation. To that end, we are working on a number of government initiatives and also with support from development partners. The disbursement of vehicles is part of our efforts to reinvigorate school governance and supervision. There has been a lot of lawlessness in the sector, in part because education officers did not have the necessary resources to supervise the system. But, now that we have vehicles,we hope that all education officers will be able to go into the remotest parts of the country to supervise schools and ensure that we provide a quality education. I was in Binga on Friday and was pleased to learn that the district has already received vehicles. Establishing an effective supervision system is imperative to help improve the quality of education. Ultimately, the beneficiaries of our efforts will be the millions school children from all social and economic backgrounds in Zimbabwe.”

Herald

By Henry Mhara, Sports Reporter at Rufaro

5 July 2011

Zimbabwe . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . (4)8

Malawi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..(2)2

Moments of pure genius from striker Rufaro “Mafidi” Machingura lit up Rufaro Stadium as the Mighty Warriors mesmerised a miserable Malawi with a performance rich in both elegance and class to ease into the semi-final of the Cosafa Women championships.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who was the guest of honour at the match could not hide his delight as he was seen clapping and waving his hands as the hosts produced such a majestic, magical and truly beautiful football that has long been forgotten in women football circles.

The Fifa boss also took the occasion to unveil a plaque for the Win in Africa with Africa Goal Project that financed the installation of the artificial turf at the Rufaro Stadium some three years ago.

Top government officials including Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart, Zifa President Cuthbert Dube and other Fifa officials Francesco Bruscoli and Ashford Mamelodi were also part of the proceedings at Rufaro yesterday.

It was an occasion for the Mighty Warriors to justify their growing status as one of the emerging forces in African women football and overwhelming favourite to win this year’s Cosafa Women Championship and with the Fifa top boss in attendance, they did justice to their new tag.

Their passing was imaculate, their ball movement meticulous and their general movement was simply sublime.

Best-player-of-the-match, Mafidi, fired in an astonishing five goals, Nokuthula Ndlovu weighed in with a brace while a screamer from the underrated Talent Mandaza capped an unforgettable afternoon for the Rosemary Mugadza-coached side.

“I cant believe that I scored five goals today, it’s just unbelievable. This is one game I will never forget in my life,” was all the excited Machingura could manage to say after the match.

The hosts dominated possession with some fluent passing, most of them engineered by veteran Marjory Nyaumwe but with Linda Kasenda having equalised Mafidi’s eighth minute opener on the 18th minute, the Mighty Warriors had to regroup again.

A minute later, Ndlovu put Zimbabwe in front with a booming shot that hit the underside of the cross bar and trickled in but Malawi immediately hit back with Kasenda deftly flicking over Onai Chingawo to create a nervy atmosphere in the stadium.

However, all fears were dispelled on the 27th minute when Mandaza fired home from some 30m out before Ndlovu rounded off the goalkeeper two minutes later to make it 4-2 at half time.

The second half belonged to none other than Mafidi who blasted his second goal of the match from a free-kick inside the box.

The lanky forward then produced a moment of magic on the hour mark when she collected the ball just outside the centre circle, dinked past a cluster of bemused defenders to fire home from close range.

Machingura completed her goal haul on the 69th and 74th minute and the last 15 minutes of the match were merely a conclusion of formalities as the Mighty Warriors were just content with passing the ball around, most probably reserving some energy for their last group matches against Mozambique at Gwanzura Stadium today.

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By Moyo Roy

5 July 2011

Senator David Coltart who is also the Minister of Education, Arts, Sport and Culture has denied the accusations that he is out of touch with developments and challenges affecting his Ministry. He labelled these allegations as Zanu-PF propaganda.

Senator Coltart has done quite a lot for the Zimbabwe sporting fraternity.

The Minister also laughed at accusations that he attended the luncheon with Blatter only in a bid to facilitate a meeting between Prime Minister and MDC-T leader Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai and the FIFA president.

Senator Coltart pointing out that he has given a lot of support to ZIFA.

Mr. Coltart suggested that statements issued by ZBC that, his role as the Minister of Education, Arts, Sport and Culture has also been a cause of concern for those in the arts and culture industry, with many accusing Senator Coltart of failing to properly manage portfolios in his Ministry, is Zanu-PF propaganda.

ZBC (Zimbabwe Broadcasting Authority)

5 July 2011

Sporting enthusiasts say the failure by the Minister of Education, Arts, Sport and Culture in welcoming FIFA president, Sepp Blatter at the Harare International Airport and during the visit to the ZIFA Village by the world soccer governing body chief is confirmation that Mr. David Coltart is out of touch with developments and challenges affecting his Ministry.

Senator Coltart’s commitment to duty has once again been questioned by Zanu-PF sports fans following the Minister’s failure to receive the FIFA chief on his arrival in Zimbabwe this Monday morning.

Mr. Coltart was also conspicuously absent during Blatter’s tour of the ZIFA Village.

Sources who spoke to government media on condition of anonymity said Senator Coltart has never set his foot at the ZIFA Village which has been facing challenges for many years since its establishment.

This they say does not augur well for a man entrusted with running the country’s sports portfolio.

Of late Senator Coltart had been conspicuous by his absence in many sporting disciplines, preferring to attend events such as cricket and golf which are favoured by whites.

Minister Coltart, who only went for lunch with Sepp Blatter, denied the accusations pointing out that he has given a lot of support to ZIFA.

ZBC has however also been informed that Senator Coltart attended the luncheon only in a bid to facilitate a meeting between Prime Minister and MDC-T leader Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai and the FIFA president.

Mr. Coltart’s role as the Minister of Education, Arts, Sport and Culture has also been a cause of concern for those in the arts and culture industry, with many accusing Senator Coltart of failing to properly manage portfolios in his Ministry.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Note by Senator David Coltart inserted on the 8th July 2011:

This is one of the crudest examples of Zanu PF propaganda effected through the ZBC. They conveniently ignore that I have been working with the new ZIFA Board since its election last year and in particular have been trying to get an indaba organised to address major financial issues facing ZIFA. The ZBC has largely ignored major improvements in education, sport, arts and culture in the last two years as no doubt that would be contrary to instructions it has received from a rival political party, namely Zanu PF.  Regarding this particular allegation the fact is that I could not be at the airport to greet the President of FIFA on Monday morning because ironically Air Zimbabwe has cancelled most of its flights between Bulawayo and Harare and the only flight I could get up was on Monday evening – so I had to drive up to Harare that morning which meant missing the arrival of Mr Blatter. I spent a very productive day with Mr Blatter, as evidenced by the letter received from President of FIFA Mr Blatter on the 7th July 2011 attached below, and have no doubt that FIFA will as a result give further support to Zimbabwe.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Senator David Coltart

Minister of Education, Sport, Art and Culture

Harare

Zimbabwe

Zurich, 7 July

Dear David,

Now that I have returned to Zurich, I would like to say how very pleased I was to meet you during my visit and thank you on behalf of the FIFA delegations for the unforgettable memories we have brought back with us from Zimbabwe, as well as the new friendships we made and the wholehearted hospitality that the Zimbabwean people showed us during our visit on 4 and 5 July 2011.

We enjoyed so many highlights in your company in the space of just a few hours, culminating in the wonderful 2011 COSAFA Women’s Championship match between Zimbabwe and Malawi and the inauguration of the football turf pitch at the Rufaro Stadium.

The new concept of the ZIFA village, which will be completed as part of the FIFA Goal I and II development programmes and which Zimbabwean football will be so proud of, will no doubt help to promote the development of football in your country. Thank you for your support in realising this vision and for your contribution to promoting the values of our sport, such as respect, discipline, team spirit, solidarity and fair play, and making football a real school of life.

I also wish to mention the memorable moments spent at the delicious lunch and dinner that we shared with representatives of the government and the football family at the Rainbow Towers hotels and the Amanzi restaurant respectively.

Finally, I would like to wish you every success in your work to develop education and sport in your country.

Looking forward to seeing you again soon,

Yours sincerely,

Joseph S. Blatter

Newsday

By Enock Muchinjo, Sports Editor

5 July 2011

Sports Minister David Coltart has attributed the Zimbabwe rugby team’s continuing revival to the slightly improved economic conditions in the country.

The Sables recorded their fourth win on the trot this season with a workmanlike 49-21 victory over Uganda at Hartsfield Rugby Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday.

“Well, we are seeing a resurgence in rugby and this is probably tied to the increasing stability in the economy, and ability to retain players,” said Coltart, who was the guest of honour at the match.

“Prior to the unity government, school-leavers left the country. We are starting to see players who have just left school being proud to play for the Sables. Yesterday (Saturday) we had players from the Under-20 side in the Sables team. As you know, we are much stronger at schools and Under-20 level, so having these players in the system helps a lot. It’s refreshing to see youngsters staying in the country and representing the country.”

Four Young Sables who played in last month’s IRB World Junior Trophy in Georgia – star scrumhalf Charles Jiji, hooker Tatenda Karuru and utility back Tommy Nelson – featured for the senior Sables on Saturday while wing Kuda Chiwanza was in the squad.

Other recent youth graduates like prop Brian Makamure, centre Dylan Bradshaw and wing Shayne Makombe have also won Sables caps this year.

“No doubt, rugby in on the resurgence,” added Coltart. “If we continue to retain a high proportion of players, we will continue to do well.”

Coltart said the Sables should now build from strength to strength.

“When I took over, I said to the ZRU our goal should be to play Super Rugby. There is no reason why we can’t reach the standards of the Sharks and the Blue Bulls. We do have the numbers and the quality,” he said.

“But of course, two things will prevent us from doing so; retaining players and professionalising the sport. We need to professionalise to keep players in the system. In the short-term, the goal should be to get into one of the lesser leagues in South Africa like the Vodacom Cup, and then progress to the Currie Cup and ultimately Super Rugby. And then after that, we must look to play the lesser IRB nations like Japan, Georgia and Russia and then progress to the likes of Argentina, Italy and Ireland.”

VOA

By Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye in Washington

4 July 2011

Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors thrashed Malawi 8-2 in the Council Of Southern African Football Associations’s Women’s Tournament at Rufaro stadium on on Monday with FIFA President Sepp Blatter in the VIP box.

Zimbabwe’s national women’s soccer team, the Mighty Warriors, thrashed their Malawian counterpart 8-2 on Monday at Rufaro Stadium in Harare in the Council Of Southern African Football Associations’s Women’s Tournament.

Attending with thousands of Zimbabwean fans was Sepp Blatter, president of the International Federation Of Association Football, on a two-day visit to Harare.

Blatter earlier met with President Robert Mugabe and toured the ZIFA village in Mount Hampden, a sports facility that is expected to host national teams in the future once it is complete, cutting the costs of putting up teams in hotels as is now the practice.

Education and Sports Minister David Coltart, one of the Blatter’s hosts, told VOA Studio 7 reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye that the FIFA executive’s visit will give the sport a lift and boost the national team’s image in the wake of the so-called Asiagate scandal in which players and officials rigged 2009 matches at the behest of Asian bookies.

“Blatter is here at the invitation of ZIFA and we feel honored to host him,” said Coltart. He said he hopes FIFA will support ministry projects combining education and sport.

Wellington Mpandare, manager of Zimbabwe’s under-23 men’s team, said Zimbabweans were delighted to host Blatter, adding that the home crowd was very pleased with the Mighty Warriors’ performance and hope to see them progress to the title.

Associated Press

By Gillian Gotora

4 July 2011

FIFA’s Sepp Blatter met Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe for talks Monday after the head of world soccer arrived for a two-day visit to a country where the game is mired in a match-fixing controversy.

Blatter, who arrived earlier in Harare on a private jet, inspected training facilities that urgently need funding amid Zimbabwe’s troubled economy, and pledged $1 million over four years for soccer programs in the country. Another $500,000 will be provided to support training under the FIFA’s worldwide Goal Project.

“Football is more than kicking a ball,” Blatter said at a news conference. “I do not come to Africa to impose European football, I respect particularities and culture. Africa has more talent than Brazil but Africa’s talent is not yet developed.”

Blatter had been scheduled to accompany Mugabe to a women’s international match against regional neighbor Malawi, but officials said later that Mugabe did not attend because of a scheduling conflict.

Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors women’s team beat Malawi 8-2.

An advance party of four FIFA officials, including two match-fixing investigators, arrived Sunday.

Last year, Zimbabwe captain Method Mwanjali and four team mates admitted taking money to lose matches on a 2009 tour to Thailand and Malaysia. Zimbabwe lost 3-0 to Thailand and 6-0 to Syria and the players said they were paid between $500 and $1,500.

Zimbabwe Sports Minister David Coltart said Monday he hoped the FIFA team, which includes its head of security Chris Eaton, will recommend punishment for those found guilty.

“Hopefully FIFA will stick by the (Zimbabwe) government’s determination to deal with corruption,” Coltart told The Associated Press. “We expect them to endorse that there has been criminality and prosecution must follow.”

Mugabe told the state broadcaster on the steps of his official State House offices he was “honored” by Blatter’s visit.

“It is a great visit from the most powerful man in soccer. We hope a bit of his power remains with us,” said the 87-year-old Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980.

Blatter then met with children training on a soccer field outside Harare.

Coach Matthew Makuwerere said the sport lacked training facilities, adding that it had long stifled young people’s dreams of becoming professional players.

“We hope player development we have been wishing for will now be realized,” he said.

Eaton is scheduled to meet with Coltart, police commanders and the state Sports and Recreation Commission — all of whom have assisted administrators in probing the match-fixing in 2009, known in local football circles as “Asiagate.”

Zimbabwe FA chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze said Eaton will study corruption reports that have been compiled by his organization. He also said the national body will be guided by FIFA on prosecution and any life bans on players and a member of the coaching team who accepted money.

Punishments for the Zimbabwe players could be part of a new wave of crackdowns on match-fixing in world soccer. Similar investigations are also under way in Finland, Italy, Greece and, at a lower level, in Malaysia and South Africa.

“We can’t intervene in the early stages of investigations but when offenders are found guilty they will be suspended or banned for life,” Blatter said.