Members of Parliament have given Sports Minister, Kirtsy Coventry an ultimatum to ensure that the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has reinstated the suspended ZIFA board led by Felton Kamambo.
SRC suspended the board over allegations of ed administration and sexual assault prompting FIFA to suspend the southern African country over “government interference” with the sport.
In a document titled “The State of football administration in Zimbabwe,” which was presented to Parliament, the Portfolio Committee on Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation said:
The committee expressed its concern on (the) overwhelming public outcry following the ban imposed on Zimbabwe by Fifa.
It is, indeed, in the interest of the public at large and the soccer governing board in particular, to get the country back on the international scene in the world of football. As observed by Fifa, government interference in football matters has far-reaching implications that can undermine the country’s ability to enjoy the potential benefits that can accrue from participating at international fora.
As such, there is need to observe and respect both the national and international statues, rules and regulations governing football administration.
Therefore, the committee implores the SRC to reverse its decision and implement recommendations by Fifa so as to allow the country to participate in international football competitions.
The committee made the following observations: 6.1 by October 31, 2022 the Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation ministry should ensure that SRC board has repealed its decision of;
(a) November 26, 2020 which suspended the Zifa general secretary;
(b) November 16, 2021 which suspended the Zifa board and;
(c) December 17, 2021 which established the Zifa restructuring committee; in order to pave way for the lifting of the ban imposed by Fifa on Zimbabwe from participating in international football competitions.
The parliamentary committee is chaired by Chivi North MP Mathias Tongofa and some of its notable members include acting Zifa president Gift Banda and ex-Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda.
The parliamentary committee also called for amendments to section 34 of the SRC Act [Chapter 25:15].
An official in the SRC board who spoke in his own capacity said SRC would only be guided by the findings of the forensic audit into ZIFA’s financial affairs which is set to be released soon. The official told NewsDay:
The report is obviously authored by Omega Sibanda, with very little input or even knowledge of the other committee members. It is riddled with embarrassing errors.
The recommendations violate both international and domestic law norms, and display an alarming ignorance of the governance shortcomings within Zifa; luckily Fifa has acknowledged these shortcomings by banning a senior Zifa official for sexual harassment of female referees.
The official said the committee’s recommendations implicitly condone sexual harassment and other corrupt practices within the running of football and tread upon the statutory mandate and independence of the SRC.
The ban has affected players and Zimbabwe has since missed some competitions much to the annoyance of football lovers.