Brilliant Mukaro
MASVINGO – Aspiring Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Eastern Region Soccer League (ERSL) chairman Special Matarirano has said there must be a forensic audit of all the financial books in the administration for standards in the region to improve.
Matarirano was speaking on the sidelines of ERSL AGM held at Great Zimbabwe Hotel in Masvingo Rural on Saturday last week.
He accused the current administration led by veteran football leader, Davison Muchena of being secretive with public information and lacking transparency in their conduct.
“As the administration in waiting our main priority is to put an end to lack of transparency in the ZIFA ERSL administration for teams to know how their money is being used. We will do a forensic audit that will be made public as soon as we take over the reigns,” said Matarirano.
ZIFA ERSL secretary general Wisdom Simba however said there is nothing to be secretive about as the league is unbranded without any sponsor.
He blamed the economy for the region’s woes and added that he feels pity for those investing in football as there are no returns at the end of the day.
Simba said a lot of the companies that are promising in the region are headquartered in Harare and sponsor the Nothern Region league.
“There is nothing to be secretive about with our region, the matter is that there is no sponsorship in the region and I feel pity for those who invest in soccer as there are no returns at the end,” said Simba.
Matarirano however lampooned the lack of sponsorship for tournaments in the region saying lack of transparency is the reason why corporate entities who used to pour in money into the region have withdrawn.
He said there is need to restore sanity at the organisation for integrity to boost confidence of the stakeholders with the board.
He added that there is need to depoliticise soccer and make it a tool for growth that will become a profession of choice for the youth.
“We have connections and will make soccer a profession of choice for the youth. There is no need to politicise soccer, it must be used as a tool for economic growth,” said Matarirano.
Matarirano is former United Lions FC and Black Rhinos FC player, Matarirano also served Masvingo City as chairman before its defunct.
He also served Black Rhinos as its spokesperson and is a retired Major in the Zimbabwe National Army.
