SRC call for integrity in ZIFA elections

The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has given its approval to the amended Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) constitution, applauding the changes and emphasizing the need for integrity as ZIFA prepares for an elective congress early next year.

During a FIFA-supervised annual meeting on October 18, ZIFA's Congress voted overwhelmingly (48-8) in favor of adopting the updated constitution. The Congress and ZIFA's Normalisation Committee, led by Lincoln Mutasa, received commendation from both FIFA and CAF representatives, who observed a renewed commitment to addressing longstanding issues in Zimbabwean football, particularly outdated statutes last revised 11 years ago.

Following the Congress' decision, ZIFA submitted the amended constitution to the SRC for approval, in accordance with Section 29 of the Sport and Recreation Act. The SRC completed its review last week and has since registered the constitution, clearing the way for ZIFA to file it with FIFA.

This step allows the Normalisation Committee to move forward with plans for the highly anticipated ZIFA board elections, expected in January. SRC Chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa underscored that the SRC would not interfere in the selection of the next ZIFA president, instead emphasizing the importance of the newly established ethics and integrity committee to vet candidates.

"The new ZIFA Constitution has been registered by the SRC, in terms of its governing Act. New ZIFA elections will be conducted under its auspices and the watchful eyes of FIFA and CAF," said Mlotshwa. "The SRC does not vet candidates nor will it endorse any candidate. That is a matter for the football community within ZIFA to decide without third-party interference or influence."

He added that the SRC expects the electoral college to choose leaders who exhibit honesty and commitment to restoring credibility within ZIFA, stating, "We want to see selfless, hardworking and honest people at the helm of our sport. Not shameless, self-centred, incompetent and divisive egotists, as has been the unfortunate case in the recent past."

Among the key changes in the amended constitution are educational and residency requirements for leadership candidates. Prospective candidates for ZIFA president or vice president must now hold five Ordinary Level passes and have resided in Zimbabwe for at least two years preceding the election. Additionally, the updated ZIFA board will consist of 11 members, including a minimum of three women, with one of the two vice presidents required to be female.

This education clause, supported by the SRC, reflects a focus on ensuring that those in top leadership positions have basic academic qualifications to effectively represent Zimbabwe in regional and international football forums, such as FIFA and CAF meetings.

In a nod to recommendations from a 1998 commission of inquiry, which advised that football administrators should possess at least five O-Level passes to reduce incompetence and mismanagement, the ZIFA Congress reintroduced this stipulation.

The revised structure of the ZIFA executive, outlined in Article 38 of the new constitution, is as follows:

1. President
2. Two Vice Presidents - one must be a woman.
3. Six Ordinary Members
4. One Ex Officio Member - representing the Premier Soccer League.
5. One Ex Officio Female Member - representing the Zimbabwe Women's Premier Soccer League.

The amended constitution also imposes requirements that candidates be Zimbabwean citizens, active in football for at least five of the past ten years, and have a clean criminal record. Presidential candidates must be at least 40 years old.

With these reforms, ZIFA and the SRC aim to foster a transparent, credible governance system within Zimbabwean football, as the nation looks to rebuild and strengthen its place on the continental football stage.