MDC-T plunge onto the battlefront of the ZIFA elections

MDC-T have plunged onto the battlefront of the ZIFA elections with the party yesterday saying politicians should not be allowed to be involved in sports administration.

The statement, released by MDC-T national spokesperson Obert Gutu appears aimed at Harare businessman Philip Chiyangwa the front-runner in the battle for the ZIFA presidency, who is also a Zanu-PF politician.

"The MDC firmly believes that politicians shouldn't be actively involved in the administration of any sporting organisation," Gutu said in the statement.

"Sport should essentially be administered by non-political actors in order to ensure that there is no unnecessary polarisation and friction amongst sportspersons and fans who follow and enjoy various sporting disciplines.

"This is the main reason why the global football association, FIFA, is very strict in ensuring that there shouldn't be any political interference in the manner in which national football associations are administered.

"By its very nature, politics can be very toxic and confrontational and perhaps, this is the rationale behind the principle adopted by FIFA that political interference is strictly forbidden in soccer administration.

"More importantly, the MDC also advocates for a policy whereby sports administration in the various sporting disciplines is essentially left in the hands of people who have actively participated in the particular sport as players, administrators or stakeholders in a meaningful and tangible way."

Interestingly, the MDC-T appear not to have found anything wrong with the fact that South African Football Association president, Danny Jordaan, was recently appointed the Mayor of Port Elizabeth on a ticket from the ruling African National Congress in South Africa.

Neither does the MDC-T see anything wrong in that Tokyo Sexwale, a South African politician who spent years in prison on Robben Island before having a stint as the Minister of Human Settlements, is fighting to become the first African to be elected substantive president of FIFA.

English Football Association chief, Greg Dyke, supports the opposition Labour Party in Britain and donated £50,000 to the party.

Chris Mbanga, an high-ranking MDC member who recently landed the post of Deputy Mayor of Harare, has been heavily involved in Zimbabwe football administration for years.

Gutu claimed politicians contaminate sport if they are thrust into leadership positions.

"Put simply, sports administration should never ever be contaminated by the involvement and participation of practising and active politicians. In addition, fly-by-night opportunists and some other such chancers should also never be granted the opportunity to become top level sports administrators," he said.

"These people, almost invariably, harbour certain ulterior motives that may not be in the best interests of all concerned stakeholders.

"Football is arguably the world's most beautiful game. As such, practising and active politicians should keep away from holding positions in the day to day administration of a sport that is keenly followed and supported by millions of Zimbabweans.

"Politicians should be involved in politics and football stakeholders such as former soccer players and some other such persons with a direct link to football should be left to administer football affairs."