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Ambassador David Hamadziripi Urges Footballers To be Good Ambassadors Of Zimbabwe
By David Hamadziripi
Programme Director, Chairman of the SA-based Zim Legends Mr Alexander Maseko, Representative of the Zimbabwe Football authorities, Representative of the South African Football Association, My Wife, The Consul General, The Sponsors Zororo Phumulani
Members of Staff of the Embassy and Consulate, the Zimbabwe Soccer Legends and Players in South Africa, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
Good Evening
It is indeed a very good evening as we gather here tonight for a truly history – making event.
I am deeply honoured, pleased, and privileged to be addressing you tonight as we celebrate this occasion and witness the launch of the South Africa-based Zimbabwe Soccer Players Association.
I invite you all to join me in heartily congratulating the initiators and founders of this Association on their achievement.
Tonight, we celebrate. We celebrate the realization of a vision that seeks to bring about unity, a vision that is driven by care and concern for others in a true expression of the spirit of being one’s brother’s keeper. It is a vision that strives to protect and promote the dignity and welfare of our footballing stars and icons.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Congratulations are due to Mr Maseko and his committee for their commitment and for all their hard work that has led to the launch of this Association tonight. As most, if not all, of us are aware, it is relatively easy to start something but much harder to sustain it.
This Association is no exception. It’s future, it’s success and it’s sustenance are in the hands of it’s members, first and foremost. It is your baby.
To the current and future members of the Association, I say, please nurture and nourish it so that it can grow and mature and look after you tomorrow.
To the rest of us, let our relationship with it end after the celebration tonight. Let us support this Association, in the ways that we can, when called upon to do so. As witnesses to the birth of this organization, we have established a relationship with it. More importantly, we have an investment interest in it’s success and sustenance.
I have been informed that this Association is not just concerned by the welfare of it’s members. It is equally concerned about giving voice to the soccer legends and current players who have much that they would like to contribute towards the development and elevation of the beautiful game in Zimbabwe.
To the soccer regulatory authorities and other stakeholders, this Association is a willing and ready partner in raising the game in Zimbabwe.
The members of this Association have heeded government’s call and encouragement to be meaningful involved in the march towards attaining the aspirations of vision 2030. I urge you to work with this Association towards this goal.
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my hope that the Association that we are launching tonight will serve as an example of supporting each other to fellow Zimbabweans here in South Africa and in other countries throughout the world, not only among soccer players but in many other sectors and spheres of life.
There is strength in numbers to support each other, to more effectively advocate for your interest, to raise your visibility and to build invaluable networks. The advantages of such a coming together are too numerous to enumerate.
We welcome this Association as a partner in raising high the banner of our beautiful country, Zimbabwe, here in South Africa and beyond. We look forward to working with it’s members in promoting our mutual interests. Let us work closely together in representing the best of and about our country. Let us be the best brand Ambassadors of our country.
I invite your Association to also be a voice that advocates for good citizenship and good behavior among it’s members and among Zimbabweans here in South Africa. Each and every one of us loses something when ever of us is caught offside or portrayed in negative light.
It is always heartbreaking when we hear or read about stories of soccer players, whether retired or current who have fallen on hard times for whatever reason.
You, the players of the people’s game, are true stars and models for many people, young and old alike. The impact that you have as role models on the lives of many people is immense.
That is why you have many young people who seek to emulate you and even become your namesakes because of your skills and excellence on the field of play.
The establishment of this Association is therefore timely. I believe that, through it’s stated mission and vision, it will contribute to preserving the dignity and stardom of it’s members. I can only wish you every success in the journey that you have embarked on.
I wish once again to congratulate you on a successful launch of the Association. Be assured of our support and availability to ensure it’s success and sustenance.
Thank you.
David Hamadziripi
Zimbabwe Ambassador To South Africa
