South African Football Association leaders have revealed their commitment to working with Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and helping their northern neighbours strengthen their structures.
The move could in the long term reap rewards for the Southern African and continental game.
SAFA officials were on hand at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday afternoon to receive a strong ZIFA delegation.
ZIFA are hoping that the three-day sojourn could yield a change in business culture at 53 Livingstone Avenue in Harare.
SAFA spokesman Dominic Chimhavi said his association realised the significance of having a stronger ZIFA to the stability and competitiveness of the COSAFA region.
“It is our honour to welcome our counterparts from the COSAFA region and other African countries in such exchange programmes.
“We will provide support on how to run a professional entity and help empower them with any other operational activities.
“South Africa and Zimbabwe, as good neighbours, have developed good working relationship in various areas such as cultural, economic and sporting spheres.
“An empowered Zimbabwe is good for the region, and CAF in general, and we are looking forward to a brotherly working relationship and an exchange of notes during the week,’’ Chimhavi said.
The ZIFA delegation have also used their presence at SAFA to interact with FIFA regional manager and former COSAFA executive member David Fani.
According to the SAFA website, Kamambo and his delegation also met with the South African football boss Danny Jordaan on the opening day of proceedings yesterday.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association delegation comprising the new president Felton Kamambo and his executive committee members are visiting SAFA House as part of a week-long exchange programme.
“The delegation on Wednesday, 20 February 2019, met with SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan who took them through the Association’s Vision 2022 and other issues affecting the sport.
“The SAFA president also emphasised the need for the COSAFA Region, the biggest region on the continent, to be united and work towards a common goal.
“The visiting ZIFA delegation also met with FIFA’s Regional manager, Mr David Fani, who took them through the process of accessing funding from the world governing football body.
“Mr Fani told the Zimbabwe delegation on how to apply for funding by, among other things, to make a compelling business case when making the application,’’ read the website.
ZIFA technical director Wilson Mutekede is also part of the delegation and will handle the bulk of the technical matters together with board member development Brighton Malandule.
Premier Soccer League chairman Farai Jere and Women’s League boss Barbra Chikosi are also part of the delegation.
“SAFA’s technical director, Neil Tovey made a presentation on programmes around football development in the country, coaching education, medical and refereeing training.
“Further presentations from competition, sponsorship, finance and legal will be made during the coming days before the team returns to Zimbabwe on Saturday.
“New ZIFA president, Kamambo said he was impressed by the SAFA set-up and vowed to take home lessons learnt from this visit,’’ SAFA wrote.
FIFA, in their ongoing commitment to promoting and growing football around the world, opened a new regional development office in Johannesburg.