Zimpapers Logo

Cuthbert Dube

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA president Cuthbert Dube has called for unity among board members ahead of the beleaguered association’s extra-ordinary general meeting set for the capital this Friday.The board leading the country’s flagship sport has been sharply divided since coming into power last year.

Addressing his colleagues during an impromptu board meeting last Friday, Dube expressed his disappointment over what he called clear divisions which were bared in Parliament on Thursday when they appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture.

“I’m disappointed by the clear divisions in this board as evidenced by what happened in Parliament yesterday and I’m dismayed by some reckless media statements attributed to some of you who surprisingly always claim to be in unison with others.

“I’ll not work with a divided board,” Dube is quoted in the association’s website, www.zifa.org.zw.

Fissures have been opening up in the board with attempts to fire three of the members, vice president Omega Sibanda and board members Ben Gwarada and women football boss Miriam Sibanda.

Sources who have been following developments also alleged that the appearance before the portfolio committee was more of a well managed drama meant to embarrass those that are said to be anti- Dube.

The committee chairperson Temba Mliswa publicly embarrassed Gwarada after he questioned his competence in leading the finance portfolio while vice president Sibanda was never given a chance to address the legislators yet Cecilia Gambe who is not even a Zifa board member was strangely given the floor even after her boss Miriam Sibanda had already presented her paper.

Dube also revealed that his board had since appointed members to the ethics, emergency and audit committees but the names will be made public after the individuals had been officially notified.

Vice president Sibanda is reportedly not in any of the committees while Premier Soccer League president Twine Phiri will be in two of the committees.