Raymond Jaravaza
FOOTBALL clubs with vibrant junior structures are set to receive a shot in the arm from Zifa using funds availed by world football governing body Fifa.
Zifa recently wrote a letter to all its affiliates including the Premier Soccer League, the four Division One regions, provinces, National Association of Primary Heads (Naph) and National Association of Secondary Heads (Nash) inviting clubs to submit their budgets for the upcoming season.
a�?The Zimbabwe Football Association requests submission of your 2017 budget. The association wishes to identify areas it can assist in funding affiliates in line with the presentation by the Finance Committee,a�? wrote acting secretary-general Joseph Mamutse.
But Zifa advised the call should not be mistaken to mean the financially- plagued association was intending to sponsor clubs.
Zifa board member finance Philemon Machana confirmed the association was working on modalities to reward clubs that strive to develop young talent.
a�?We wrote to all our affiliates to submit their current year budget and from it we, as Finance Committee and Zifa Executive Committee, will then see developmental aspects of the budgets which we may allocate Fifa development funds in the spirit of football development.
a�?Basically Zifa intends to put Fifa funds into development and not to sponsor clubs,a�? said Machana.
a�?Zifa is not a sponsor, and any assistance will only go to those affiliates who are in good standing and will follow strict guidelines as set by my Committee in consultation with Executive Committee,a�? he said.
The failure to harness and develop junior talent has been identified as one of the major reasons why Zimbabwean football has failed to reach its potential.
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