HARARE - Permanent secretary in the Sports ministry Godfrey Chipare said national football teams — Mighty Warriors and the Warriors — will not receive any funding from the government for their Africa Cup of Nations assignments later this year and next year.
Appearing before parliamentary portfolio committee on Sports and Recreation, Chipare revealed that his ministry was told by Treasury to look for funds from elsewhere.
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Financial constraints have since delayed the start of preparations for the Mighty Warriors team who are scheduled to participate at next month’s Africa Women Cup of Nations (AFWCON) in Cameroon.
The Mighty Warriors, who are pitted against Cameroon, South Africa and Egypt in Group A, had suggested a long training camp.
With less than a month before the tournament starts the Mighty Warriors are still in the dark on the preparations.
Zimbabwe senior national team, the Warriors will also be heading to Gabon next year January for the Afcon and already they have missed a chance to play international friendly matches owing to a lack of funds.
“Our Mighty Warriors will not be sustained adequately in terms of their finances,” Chipare said.
“We were told that we should not expect any money from Treasury for the Mighty Warriors. We were told to look for funds from elsewhere.
“In January, the Warriors will be proceeding to Gabon. It’s a success story by your ministry but it requires funding also but Treasury said they are not going to give us any funds.
“And it is in these areas that your secretary really wants to see stakeholder’s partnership on the part of your esteemed committee. We have given up on trying to get funds from Treasury and that’s why we are looking elsewhere and this a national project and we appeal through your committee to the whole nation to support the sport and recreation.”
Chipare said the Sports ministry has since come up with an independent committee responsible for fundraising for the Mighty Warriors.
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