Sports / Soccer
Zifa hijacks Benjani testimonial match
08 May 2012 at 16:31hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) says a decision has been made for the Benjani Mwaruwari testimonial match to be conducted under the local soccer mother body's jurisdiction as part of efforts to safeguard the reputation of local football.
ZIFA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jonathan Mashingaidze revealed that last Friday's board meeting agreed to put the May 26 testimonial match under their ambit as a way of guarding against another Zimbabwe-Brazil scenario.
"We agreed we will be working with the Benjani testimonial [organising] committee to guard against the hijacking of the event by some unruly elements," said Mr Mashingaidze.
With a budget estimated to be US$600 000 for the match to be a success, ZIFA says they will be working with the match's organising committee to try and source the funds for match.
"We are in talks with Benjani so that we go round looking for appropriate sponsors to come on board and not have things be swayed by certain individual lest we work up and find ourselves left with huge bills that will bring the game into disrepute," added Mr Mashingaidze.
With an independent committee running the organisation for the testimonial match, hopes are high that the big day for the former Warriors skipper will not be shrouded with controversy.
Testimonial matches are non competitive honorary matches in recognition of an individual's contribution in the development of a particular sport.
ZIFA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jonathan Mashingaidze revealed that last Friday's board meeting agreed to put the May 26 testimonial match under their ambit as a way of guarding against another Zimbabwe-Brazil scenario.
"We agreed we will be working with the Benjani testimonial [organising] committee to guard against the hijacking of the event by some unruly elements," said Mr Mashingaidze.
With a budget estimated to be US$600 000 for the match to be a success, ZIFA says they will be working with the match's organising committee to try and source the funds for match.
"We are in talks with Benjani so that we go round looking for appropriate sponsors to come on board and not have things be swayed by certain individual lest we work up and find ourselves left with huge bills that will bring the game into disrepute," added Mr Mashingaidze.
With an independent committee running the organisation for the testimonial match, hopes are high that the big day for the former Warriors skipper will not be shrouded with controversy.
Testimonial matches are non competitive honorary matches in recognition of an individual's contribution in the development of a particular sport.
Source - zbc
