Zimpapers Logo

Mr Gwindi

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE City chairman Leslie Gwindi believes he has a strong vision for the game and has vowed to let his actions speak louder if elected president at the controversial Zifa elections today.
Gwindi, who has been having an on-and-off relationship with football administration in the last two decades, feels the local game has deteriorated over the years and wants to bring it back to the level it belongs.

The former Dynamos and Premier Soccer League secretary-general says he is driven by passion and will invest all his energy to achieve his goals.
But his immediate plan of action is to attend to the image of Zifa, which he says has scared away potential sponsors.

Gwindi says the outgoing board led by Cuthbert Dube has ruined football in Zimbabwe and now the game is crying for immediate remedial action, which he believes he is capable of providing.

“We have very strong practical beliefs that we want to have things done. We want to make things happen. We will fight for what is right,” said Gwindi.

“We want to do and position things that are correct and make sure that we live within the edicts of what is expected of us in this important office.
“What supports this is that anywhere between 9,5-10 million people follow football very closely and the rest are armchair critics, but that makes it a very important national pastime.

“We always want to look beyond today. We are visionaries and visionaries always attract lot of attention, in my belief.
“Visionaries see things that other people don’t see and want them discussed and we have firm believers in getting these things discussed.
“We get into trouble time and again, but it’s good to be done as long as it is done fairly, honestly and directly. That is very critical.”

He said there was need for respect in the game.
“I am a firm believer that we need to establish dignity and respect in the game of football,” said Gwindi.

“It is absent, people have looked at us as a rogue gang that is bent on breaking the rules, misappropriating finances and, more importantly, working outside the dictates of the constitution and that is completely unacceptable.

“One of the key requirements is to re-establish the functionality of the constitution and respect what the constitution says, that is critical.
“If you notice all the issues to do with Zifa in the last four years, they have been around the constitution. It has either been a highly secretive document or non-existent and therefore not respected and that is going to be a thing of the past.”

He believes he has been crucified for his candid talk and critical view of things, but that has only made him strong to stand for what he believes is right.

His manifesto is premised on 22 main points that include the re-establishment of the respect for the constitution, re-establishment of the authority of the Zifa Assembly, restructuring the secretariat, grassroots football development for both boys and girls, good corporate governance and sound financial management.

Gwindi also indicated that there was need to re-introduce and make the Zifa Unity Cup vibrant whether under a sponsor’s banner or under that of the national association as it is crucial for development.

The national junior teams and the women’s teams also need attention.
He also seek to bridge the gap with all the stakeholders in football and to re-establish trust with the corporate world and sprucing up the image of the association to attract sponsorship.

According to Gwindi, Zifa needs viable financial models so that the national association, or its affiliates, will not have to rely on the benevolence of individuals.

He says the Zifa brand is a powerful marketing tool but sadly been under-utilised.
Gwindi promises to bring more entertainment to the stadium but he wants the Warriors to make giant steps and move from the current position, outside the top 100 in the Fifa rankings, to within number 70.

“This manifesto is not and cannot be exhaustible of all things football, but if we could master and implement most of the issues raised, Zimbabwe is going to witness a revival like a fire on a windy day.

“I am not advocating for re-inventing the wheel but merely marking the specimen contours,” says Gwindi.