Final Whistle: Let’s put a lid on Asiagate scandal

Sport
Simba Rushwaya The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) president Cuthbert Dube wants the nation to believe that the long and winding Asiagate scandal will be concluded at the end of this month. True?

Speaking to our sister publication NewsDay this week, Dube who acknowledged that this scandal had “drawn us backwards” suggested that the high-profile football saga of all time in this country was near conclusion.

By his own admission Dube said: “We know that people, especially those that were affected, the players, coaches and administrators, all want to know their fate.”

I share the same view with Dube, but I’m not convinced that this case will be brought to finality come month-end because of past examples. I have respect for Dube, but he appears to me a sweet talker with little results on the ground and is more importantly, indecisive.

For starters, Dube unconditionally stated last year that Asiagate would be a thing of the past by October of the same year. But he later shifted the dates to end of March this year. Before we know it, he again claims it will be end of this month.

The Zifa president continues to shift goal posts at every turn on this important issue that will shape the future of our football.

The problem is that the disgraceful scandal has been turned into a platform to score points by the current administrators while players suffer. There is so much grandstanding with little or no solutions. It would appear football development has suffered while Asiagate continues to make headlines.

In his defence, the Zifa supremo argues that “we don’t want any half-baked processes,” but I think there was ample time to both investigate and conclude Asiagate since it broke out one and half years ago.

My heart particularly goes to potentially innocent players whose careers have been in limbo as this Asiagate axe hangs above them. I have no doubt in my mind that bright prospects like Khama Billiat and Ovidy Karuru have been greatly affected as has been evidenced by their dip in form.

Billiat, who set alight the South African premiership in Ajax Cape Town colours and indeed with the Warriors, appears a pale shadow of his former self while Karuru’s French club is facing relegation. We last heard of Karuru scoring a long time ago. While they might not say it, the two players who looked like the fulcrum of the future Warriors team, must be suffering inside. Just like little blossoming flowers, the Asiagate has nipped their careers in the bud.

 

That is why I’m urging Dube and his wise advisers to find a speedy resolution to this matter so that players in particular, can move on with their careers. For feed back sms 0772 843 256