PRESIDENT Mnangagwa says the country should transform
itself into a football powerhouse by 2030 and has challenged the nation to
rally behind the Warriors in their 2019 AFCON finals adventure in Egypt.
The Warriors will open the 2019 Nations Cup finals with a
high-profile showdown against the Pharaohs at the Cairo International Stadium
on June 21.
Last night, the President was the guest of honour at a
function held in the capital by the 2019 AFCON Fundraising Committee, where he
unveiled a US$200 000, and a further $300 000, to towards the cause.
A number of other organisations chipped in after the
function attracted scores of the most influential people in business and
industry as the nation once again demonstrated that, when it unites for a
cause, it usually get things right.
The President, who also praised the national netball team
for qualifying for the World Cup set for England next month, set the tone for
the evening with a keynote address in which he emphasised the importance of the
Warriors, given their huge ambassadorial role.
He also spoke about the need for sport to flex its muscles
and contribute positively to the development of the country while urging its
leaders to be accountable for them to win the trust of sponsors.
‘’Firstly, I congratulate the Warriors for the journey
well-travelled, from the time of the AFCON qualifiers to the final tournament,
this was by no means a small feat, well done Warriors but the battle is not yet
over,’’ President Mnangagwa said.
‘’We support the Warriors because they are ours, the
Warriors are Zimbabweans and we are Zimbabweans so there is no reason for us to
look for reasons to support them, we are the Warriors and they are also the
Warriors, we are Zimbabweans and they are also Zimbabweans.
‘’Our national teams are our sporting ambassadors, and
symbols of our national identity which help foster a sense of national pride,
among us, the citizens.
‘’As we raise money for our 2019 AFCON battle, let our
contributions be an investment beyond the present, towards a long and rewarding
journey that we must both intend to grow and modernise our sporting sector.
‘’As the Warriors venture into the desert of Egypt and
represent our country before the eyes of the world, and our people in the
Diaspora, I exhort the nation at large to rally behind them by generously
donating to their welfare.
‘’The donation can be in kind but, most favourably it
should be RTGS or US (dollars), if you donate in Euro, much better still, I say
so because they are carrying the Zimbabwe national brand, our national flag,
therefore, they need our support and motivation as they prepare and play in the
tournament.
‘’They should not worry about their accommodation, their
meals, allowances, bonuses and associated provisions, I was asking the (ZIFA)
president Cde (Felton) Kamambo, the number of the team which require
allowances, he has told me that 33 of them would require these allowances we
are talking about.
‘’And, we are so many here and if five people come together
to support one, I am sure we will meet the allowances. Let us lend a helping
hand and give generously.’’
President Mnangagwa said it was important for the nation to
remain focused on the bigger picture of becoming a football powerhouse by 2030
and reminded everyone that, in this game, a team could win, lose or even draw
and there was no need for hooliganism.
‘’We need our fans, our nation, to accept defeat, when
teams are playing, one may win, one may lose, occasionally there is a draw, our
qualification, therefore, to the 2019 AFCON tournament must be seen in the
context of ensuring that our country progressively moves towards becoming a
football powerhouse by 2030,’’ President Mnangagwa said.
‘’I further challenge the Sport and Recreation Commission,
and the football fraternity, to put in place concrete strategies that will
ensure the realisation of this vision.
‘’In line with the Transitional Stability Programme, my
government remains committed to avail more resources to all sporting
disciplines, we recognise that the entire sports sector has immense potential
to contribute to our attainment of Vision 2030.
‘’However, there is need to inculcate ethical and sound
business practices if our sports sector is to grow and be a source of
employment, and empowerment, for many of our young people.
‘’The integrity of the leaders of this sector is necessary,
if the public have confidence in the integrity of the leaders in this sector,
they will contribute generously.
‘’I challenge stakeholders in the sporting fraternity to
embrace good governance in the administration of sport. May I reiterate once
again that corruption of any kind in any sport is not acceptable, please resist
the temptation of corruption.
‘’Let us build a modern, transparent sports sector.’’ The
President commended the fundraising committee for the work they were doing
while also challenging the media to report positively as the Warriors represent
the nation in Egypt.
He reminded the Warriors that their application in Egypt,
more than luck, will shape their destiny at the tournament. ‘’I would like to
commend the fundraising committee, for bringing together all the stakeholders,
for this worthy cause. Football, the world over, indeed, occupies a special
place in many people’s hearts but to us, politicians, we wish to appear at
football matches so that on voting day you will remember us,’’ the President
said.
‘’It also unites nations and helps about to bring social
cohesion and harmony within countries. In our Second Republic, sport in
general, and football in particular, as a mass sport, must be a vital
instrument for enhancing peace, empowerment and national cohesion.
‘’Meanwhile, I exhort media practitioners, to cover the
Warriors AFCON participation in positive light and with national interest in
mind.
‘’To the Warriors, I say, you are our true ambassadors of
our great nation and ambassadors of all our people, I wish you the best of
luck, in this special AFCON adventure.
‘’Fight gallantly, fight like the true Warriors that you
are, being fearless, being brave, being courageous, tireless and committed,
Good luck, Go, Go Warriors, Go Warriors, God bless you all, God bless
Zimbabwe.’’ Herald
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