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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
MASVINGO City chairman Special Matarirano says he hopes to use his experience in football to turn around the fortunes of ZIFA Eastern Region Division One if elected into office. The Eastern Region were ordered to hold elections for the position of chairman following the departure of Piraishe Mabhena, who was elected ZIFA board member last December.

Although the dates for the elections are still to be announced, Matarirano, who was elected chairman for Masvingo City at the end of the 2015 season, has already come up with his manifesto as he prepares for the elections likely to be held before the season kicks-off in March.

“What we are saying is we have been in football for a long time. I am the chairman of Masvingo City and I have been working in the region for the past 16 years and I think given a chance, it will be a matter of revisiting all those things we did in the past and what we want to achieve now.

“It’s a very good advantage for me. I have been exposed to football matters for quite sometime now,” Matarirano said. In his manifesto, the former United Lions and Black Rhinos player says he is hoping to create a vibrant and competitive league with proficiency and accountability being some of the main issues he is going to promote.

“We aim to create and maintain competence, proficiency and accountability in all football matters.

“To regain and re-establish football vibrancy and visibility in order to lure life-long sponsorships and to professionalise the administration of football in the region,” reads part of the manifesto.

Matarirano also talks of rebranding the Eastern Region and present it as a viable marketing medium for corporates who would come on board to support their league and engaging all the stakeholders in the region including schools to establish a Football School of Excellency.

Matarirano says his vision is to create a conducive football environment that promotes football as a viable career option and provide quality and professional football leadership that meets the aspirations of all soccer clubs and stakeholders in the region.

Besides his involvement as a player at United Lions, Matarirano was also the team manager and secretary general of the club before he became marketing manager for Masvingo City.