HARARE —
A few days after the launch of the Zimbabwe Footballers Trust, a rival group, the Lifelong Footballers Trust, has been formed in Harare.
Zimbabwe’s former footballers are now torn between two organizations which want to assist former footballers that are now wallowing in poverty.
Just like the Zimbabwe Footballers Trust, the chairman of the Lifelong Footballers Trust, Francis Zimunya Nyamutsamba, says their aim is to look after the interests of the former footballers, adding they are also pained with what happens when some footballers pass on.
The Zimbabwe Lifelong Footballers Trust have a secretariat and have set up an office in Harare.
What, however, is surprising is the fact that the new organization has the same objectives as that of the existing Zimbabwe Footballers Trust, whose secretary general, Eric Aisam, has taken his time to explain what they are offering the former footballers.
Aisam has no kind words for the Lifelong Footballers Trust whom he accuses of trying to hijack their project. He says if the Lifelong Footballers Trust have the same ideas they should just have joined hands with the Zimbabwe Footballers Trust instead of forming a rival organization.
But Nyamutsamba says they are not in competition with the Zimbabwe Footballers Trust.
He adds that there are there to compliment efforts being made by the football legends.
He jockingly says there are there even to help the Zimbabwe Footballers Trust.
This is not the first time that there have been two rival organisations within Zimbabwean football. Two years ago, Moses Chunga broke away from the Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association to form his organization which was known as the Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Union.
Right now, there is also the Zimbabwe Soccer Supporters Association which is headed by Eddie Chivero as well as the Warriors Fan club which of late has the backing of the Zimbabwe Football Association.
Although they are still to be registered by the Zimbabwe Football Association, Nyamutsamba says they are on their way to 53 Livingstone Avenue.
In another development in sport, the Sports and Recreation Commission will Wednesday honour the most outstanding sportspersons of the year.
Boxer Charles Manyuchi, Karateka sensei Samson Muripo and tennis ace Cara Black are the front runners for the Sportsperson of the Year Award.
The spokesperson of the Sport and Recreation Commission Tirivashe Nheweyembwa runs through those vying for the top awards.
Nheweyembwa revealed that reigning sportsperson of the year Brendon De Jonge has failed to make it among the finalists as he did not perform to expectation.
The winners of the various categories will receive cash prizes and trophies. The awards are being sponsored to the tune of $50,000.
Zimbabwe’s former footballers are now torn between two organizations which want to assist former footballers that are now wallowing in poverty.
Just like the Zimbabwe Footballers Trust, the chairman of the Lifelong Footballers Trust, Francis Zimunya Nyamutsamba, says their aim is to look after the interests of the former footballers, adding they are also pained with what happens when some footballers pass on.
The Zimbabwe Lifelong Footballers Trust have a secretariat and have set up an office in Harare.
What, however, is surprising is the fact that the new organization has the same objectives as that of the existing Zimbabwe Footballers Trust, whose secretary general, Eric Aisam, has taken his time to explain what they are offering the former footballers.
Aisam has no kind words for the Lifelong Footballers Trust whom he accuses of trying to hijack their project. He says if the Lifelong Footballers Trust have the same ideas they should just have joined hands with the Zimbabwe Footballers Trust instead of forming a rival organization.
But Nyamutsamba says they are not in competition with the Zimbabwe Footballers Trust.
He adds that there are there to compliment efforts being made by the football legends.
He jockingly says there are there even to help the Zimbabwe Footballers Trust.
This is not the first time that there have been two rival organisations within Zimbabwean football. Two years ago, Moses Chunga broke away from the Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association to form his organization which was known as the Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Union.
Right now, there is also the Zimbabwe Soccer Supporters Association which is headed by Eddie Chivero as well as the Warriors Fan club which of late has the backing of the Zimbabwe Football Association.
Although they are still to be registered by the Zimbabwe Football Association, Nyamutsamba says they are on their way to 53 Livingstone Avenue.
In another development in sport, the Sports and Recreation Commission will Wednesday honour the most outstanding sportspersons of the year.
Boxer Charles Manyuchi, Karateka sensei Samson Muripo and tennis ace Cara Black are the front runners for the Sportsperson of the Year Award.
The spokesperson of the Sport and Recreation Commission Tirivashe Nheweyembwa runs through those vying for the top awards.
Nheweyembwa revealed that reigning sportsperson of the year Brendon De Jonge has failed to make it among the finalists as he did not perform to expectation.
The winners of the various categories will receive cash prizes and trophies. The awards are being sponsored to the tune of $50,000.