Sports / Soccer
Chiyangwa to chair new Zimbabwe Referees' Committee
28 Apr 2016 at 01:53hrs | Views
ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa will chair the new Zimbabwe Referees' Committee, which also sees the return of retired referee Kenny Sigoba into mainstream football.
Chiyangwa will be deputised by another retired referee Brighton Mudzamiri, with Gladmore Muzambi taking over the chief commissioner portfolio.
According to sources, Sigoba will be the chief instructor responsible for referees' training, while Japhet Mfiri, formerly a match commissioner, is now in charge of referees' appointments. John Madziva is the new national co-ordinator.
Zifa Referees' desk manager Obert Mamvura is the secretary-general of the new committee, taking over from Tendai Bwanya who has been booted out of the powerful committee alongside Sabelo Maphosa, Edson Nkau and Ndabezinhle Ncube.
There had been allegations of favouritism in the referees' committee, particularly in the Southern Region where some undeserving officials were being fast tracked into the hierarchy.
This resulted in Bulawayo having a massive 18 Zifa panel Premier Soccer League referees compared to nine from Harare, seven from Gweru, four from Matabeleland South, five from Matabeleland North, four from Masvingo and three from Mutare.
"Favouritism, regionalism and making referees pay a lot of money for refresher courses seemed to be these guys' downfall. They had become demigods within the system. We want to salute the Chiyangwa (executive) committee for the move. Football will now be the winner, " said one referee.
According to Fifa recommendations, a 16-team league is supposed to have between 48 and 50 referees, but due to alleged corruption, Zimbabwe has 65 officials as some were fast tracked without even going through the normal mill, especially in Bulawayo.
"We have 27 centre referees and 38 assistants," said Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.
Sources said the previous committee concentrated more on quantity than quality and as a result, standards of refereeing took a nose dive.
"They have been promoting referees to the PSL through relationships and not on merit. Bulawayo has 18 referees from the previous nine they had," said another source.
Referees underwent a fitness test last week under the supervision of experts from continental governing body Caf and one PSL panel referee Mlindeli Ndebele was the only casualty.
Chiyangwa will be deputised by another retired referee Brighton Mudzamiri, with Gladmore Muzambi taking over the chief commissioner portfolio.
According to sources, Sigoba will be the chief instructor responsible for referees' training, while Japhet Mfiri, formerly a match commissioner, is now in charge of referees' appointments. John Madziva is the new national co-ordinator.
Zifa Referees' desk manager Obert Mamvura is the secretary-general of the new committee, taking over from Tendai Bwanya who has been booted out of the powerful committee alongside Sabelo Maphosa, Edson Nkau and Ndabezinhle Ncube.
There had been allegations of favouritism in the referees' committee, particularly in the Southern Region where some undeserving officials were being fast tracked into the hierarchy.
This resulted in Bulawayo having a massive 18 Zifa panel Premier Soccer League referees compared to nine from Harare, seven from Gweru, four from Matabeleland South, five from Matabeleland North, four from Masvingo and three from Mutare.
According to Fifa recommendations, a 16-team league is supposed to have between 48 and 50 referees, but due to alleged corruption, Zimbabwe has 65 officials as some were fast tracked without even going through the normal mill, especially in Bulawayo.
"We have 27 centre referees and 38 assistants," said Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.
Sources said the previous committee concentrated more on quantity than quality and as a result, standards of refereeing took a nose dive.
"They have been promoting referees to the PSL through relationships and not on merit. Bulawayo has 18 referees from the previous nine they had," said another source.
Referees underwent a fitness test last week under the supervision of experts from continental governing body Caf and one PSL panel referee Mlindeli Ndebele was the only casualty.
Source - chronicle
