SAFA peace conference to promote soccer as unifier

South Africa, which last year was rocked by xenophobic violence which
saw mobs of local men attack and killing more than 60 African
immigrants and displacing thousands of others in Johannesburg and other
cities, is hosting world soccer's premier competition.

The March 28 peace conference that has the backing of local Nobel
laureates Nelson Mandela, Frederick W. de Klerk, and retired Archbishop
Desmond Tutu as well as President Kgalema Mothlante seeks to use soccer
as a to bring societies and people of different cultures together,
according to conference patron Irvin Khoza.

Soccer has played a huge role in bringing unity to South Africa and
now more than ever we must show our responsibility as a nation, as a
soccer family, and as a host of the World Cup.

The event must be the most peaceful World Cup in its history with
people from all nations inter-mingling in harmony as guests of South
Africa, said Khoza, who is also chairman of the South African Premier
Soccer League.

Among other top dignitaries who will attend the conference will be members of the Nobel Peace Committee. – CAJ News

Ndlovu lined up for coaching at Thanda Royal Zulu

Peter Ndolvu – Could end up in coaching team for Thanda Royal Zulu

DURBAN — Former Zimbabwe soccer captain could soon join the coaching
department at South African side Thanda Royal Zulu FC, sources at the
club said.

Ndlovu plays for the Durban-based side but our sources said the club
appeared keen to utilize the former Warriors forward as a coach because
of his vast experience gained playing in Zimbabwe, England and South
Africa.

I am sure the club executive has faith in Ndlovu because to some
extend he has been helping the coaching department by giving guidance
to upcoming players, said a player at Thanda Royal. It's not so clear
as to whether Ndlovu is still a player or one of the technical staff
because the work that he does is more that of a coach than a player.

Ndlovu one of the greatest players to emerge form Zimbabwe has played
for Highlanders and spend years at various clubs in England before
leaving to play for South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns.

CAJ News

ZIFA asks for donations for under-17 team

BULAWAYO — The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is appealing to
the corporate world, business community, individuals and government to
donate funds to help meet the costs of sending the under-17 soccer
squad to the African Youth Championships in Algeria next month.

ZIFA chief executive officer Henrietta Rushwaya said the soccer
controlling body had run out of funds for national teams who appear to
be doing well for the nation.

The senior Warriors side qualified for the inaugural African Nations Championships underway in Cote D'Ivoire. 

ZIFA is broke and we are appealing for donations in cash and kind in
order to boost the players morale when in Algeria, said Rushwaya.

She said donations should be channeled to the ZIFA head office in Harare before the tournament kicks off on March 18.  CAJ News.

Coventry flies Zimbabwean flag high

HARARE — Zimbabwe swimming sensation Kirsty Coventry for the umpteenth
time did the country proud when she was voted the best African athlete
from the beneficiaries of the Olympic Solidarity scholarships.

The scholarships were awarded to African member states during the
Olympic Games held in Beijing, China last year where Coventry collected
four medals, among them gold and three silvers on her way to glory.

According to the information released by the chief executive of the
Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, Robert Mutsauki, about 225 scholarships
were issued out to 47 African countries ahead of the Olympics.

He said from the 225 scholarship recipients, only 98 of the
beneficiaries qualified for the Beijing Olympic Games with Coventry
come out tops with the four credible medals.

The United States (US)-based swimming champion won her four medals in
China last year in the 200 metre backstroke, 100 metre backstroke, 200
individual medley and 400 m IM to outshine the rest of the Olympic
Solidarity scholarship beneficiaries.

An excited Mtsauki said: This is a success story of Zimbabwean
athletes. I would like to believe Zimbabwe, will this time have more
scholarship beneficiaries provided credible candidates have been chosen
to represent the country.—CAJ News.

New Zealand postpones Zimbabwe tour

JOHANNESBURG – New Zealand's Black Caps cricket side has postponed its
tour of Zimbabwe to June next year after Auckland threatened to block
the tour.

The decision to postpone the tour follows a meeting between Zimbabwe
Cricket (ZC) chief executive officer Ozias Bvute and Justin Vaugh of
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) in Johannesburg on Wednesday on the sidelines
of the International Cricket Council conference (ICC).

New Zealand Players’ Association chief Heath Mills said he was relieved
the tour had been postponed saying players were worried about the
safety of visiting Zimbabwe at a time the southern African country is
battling cholera among other crises.

Mills said: "From the players’ perspective we were very uncomfortable
about the team being in Zimbabwe while there are issues about cholera,
water shortages and there are some question marks about the standard of
medical care.

This gives everyone time and perhaps with the new coalition government there in Zimbabwe things might change with time."

New Zealand has since 2002 when President Robert Mugabe won
controversial presidential elections been reluctant to visit Harare
citing lack of rule of law, farm invasions and gross violations of
democratic principles by the Zanu (PF) government.

At one point the newly elected New Zealand Prime Minister John Key
threatened to use his powers to bar the cricket national team from
touring Zimbabwe–CAJ News.