Shame on you Zifa

24 Feb, 2017 - 00:02 0 Views
Shame on you Zifa

The ManicaPost

Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter
IN a sickening reminder of how football players are only wanted when they are still on the field of play, several football personalities were visible during Wednesday’s funeral procession of the late skilful Buffaloes left back,

Simbarashe ‘Smallie’ Nyauzima, save for the Zifa Eastern Region and Manicaland committee members who were conspicuous by their absence.

That young Nyauzima actually died during a training session on Monday afternoon puts into context the shocking level of impunity that dominates the corridors of domestic football administration.

Nyauzima collapsed during pre-season training at Mutare Showgrounds and died on the way to hospital.

Together with team-mates, the Buffaloes utility player, who once turned out for Black Rhinos, had gone through an intense 15 rounds pre-training warm-up.

Be that as it may, the Zifa Eastern Region administration was not represented at the funeral process, albeit having its secretary, Simba Wisdom resident in Mutare, let alone employed in the Zimbabwe National Army, the same paymaster for the late Nyauzima.

Manicaland Zifa administration was nowhere to be seen irrespective of its chairman, Kuziwa Nyabeze and his deputy, Gift ‘Transport’ Mapinda, administrator, Kundai Makwarise, all resident in Mutare.

Not even a media statement from the mother body Zifa, the Eastern Region or Manicaland office to acknowledge their sorrow and sympathy to the bereaved family was ever seen.

Interestingly, among the several football personalities who thronged Sakubva Stadium to witness the procession and pay their last respects was Mutare City Rovers’ chairman, Isdore Bingura.

Tanda Rwambiwa, the Mutare City Rovers vice-chairman, was present during the procession together with his committee member, Pardon Mugabe.

Former Buffaloes executive member, Ticha Zikai, organising secretary, Arnold Gatsi, team manager, Sthuli Moyo were all present during the procession.

Contacted for comment, Footballers Union of Zimbabwe president, Desmond Maringwa, bemoaned the lack of empathy that always characterises football player’s funeral wakes.

Desmond Maringwa

“It is sad that the trend is continuing. For us as FUZ, every stakeholder is important. Where there is a funeral, it is naturally and even culturally expected for all in the circles of the deceased to attend. It is important for people to pay their last respects to the deceased. It is unfortunate that some still do not see its importance,” said Maringwa.

Maringwa queried the reason why Zifa is reluctant to implement Fifa requisite medical facilities needed at training session venues as well as match venues.

“It is sad that we continue to lose precious lives because some people are sleeping on duty. I think this is the sixth or seventh time that this has happened.

“It is known that there should be proper medical equipment on site at training venues as well as at match venues. The likes of Fabrice Muamba, even though he stopped breathing for some time came back to life because of urgent proper medical care on site.

“Fifa has demanded that there should be defibrillators on site, but somehow this is not being implemented. The gadgets are not that expensive, but they will go a long way in saving lives when it comes to such circumstances.

“A football association can get many of those and distribute to affiliates so that we save lives. It is perplexing to note that somehow that is not being done. The level of medical care equipment provision for our sportsmen is worrisome.

“It is also mandatory for clubs to have medical checkups before training or cardiac testing gadgets so that players get onto the field knowing that they are fully fit. The challenge is that some of the ailments such as heart ailments can hardly be detected physically, so there is need for implementation of such provisions from Fifa so that we save lives. It is a cause for concern for us. Otherwise it is better not to have any training at all,” said Maringwa.

Repeated efforts to get a comment from Zifa vice-president, Omega Sibanda, were fruitless as he was said to be locked in a lengthy meeting.

Buffaloes have already started their pre-season preparations ahead of the start of the Zifa Eastern Region Division One 2017 league season.

The Mutare army outfit was relegated from the Premiership at the end of the 2015 season and their spirited efforts to gain a quick return to the top-flight league last year was shattered after Harare side Yadah Stars FC piped them in a tightly contested race that was decided on the final day of the season.

The team has since relocated to Rusape’s Vengere Stadium as their new home ground citing an increased number of Zifa Eastern Region Division One teams using Mutare’s Sakubva Stadium as their home ground.

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