Upper East RFA chairman Salifu Shaibu Zida to seek re-election for GFA ExCO position

The Chairman of Upper East Regional Football Association (UERFA), Mr. Alhaji Salifu Shaibu Zida has confirmed his decision to run again for a position on the Ghana Football Association Executive Council.

Salifu Zida has disclosed to Nkrataasem.com his intention to contest for the Ghana Football Association Executive Council slot once again.

The GFA last week, announced August 7, 2023 as date for the opening of nomination for individuals interested to contest for the GFA Presidential seat, GFA Executive Council and Regional Football Association chairmanship position.

Zida will vy for one of the two slots available for the ten(10) Regional Football Association Chairmen and in an interview, confirmed he will contest.

“Definitely, am contesting again. Clearly, I have had several consultations and people around me has encouraged me and given me reasons why should contest”

“Why not, I have to pull strings to help my region develop when it comes to Football and also contribute to the growth of Ghana Football because am amongst the few long-serving members of the FA currently and atleast our experience will be needed to drive the good course of football”

“So obviously, will contest when the nomination opens”.

“At first, I thought it was time to leave but when the people you’re serving gives you a reason to stay, you don’t have to disappoint them and I think it’s right I listen to them. My work on the ExCO is to help develop the game from my region and at large make good contributions to it’s development to the ecosystem”

Zida is the owner and bankroller of former Ghana Premier League club Bolga All Stars SC. He owns an U-17 team known as Bolga All Stars Babies as well as Colts teams.

In addition, he manages a female team thus Bolga All Stars Ladies SC (Zidcom Ladies), a team that qualified for the Regional Women’s championships twice in a row.

Zida who played for Upper Stars during his football playing days, established Bolga All Stars SC in 2007 having managed Upper Stars from 1999, where he qualified the team to second division and division one.

Went for four middle leagues but wouldn’t qualify for Premier before forming Bolga All Stars SC and eventually competed in the country’s lower-tier run by the Regional Football Association(RFA), till they secured qualification to the division one league, Ghana’s second-tier in 2014.

With hardwork and perseverance, he secured Bolga All Stars promotion to the top-flight in 2015-16 season but suffered relegation due to several uncertainty. Nevertheless, gave good account of themselves with some brilliant results.

Currently, the club trades in the Regional Division league.

Who is Salifu Shaibu Zida

He is an astute football administrator, who begun his journey of football in 199 as a club administrator before becoming club owner in 2007. He became a key figure to the development of Ghana Football in 2011 when he was elected to the GFA Executive Council after winning the chairmanship position of Upper East Region for the first time.

Popularly known as Salyman, he is a certified accounted and a holder of several certificates from Tamale Polytechnic, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, University of Cape Coast, Winneba and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Many within the sports fraternity, describe him fearless and man full of integrity. He is trustworthy and above all, a listening leader. One who also seeks to have opinions from all around him, not quantifying what issue it is.

He is morally upright, accountable, brave and selfless.

His long-service to the development and commitment to Ghana Football, saw his image as a hardworking administrator fenced with a huge edifice in Winkogo- Upper East Region. I mean, the Winkogo Astro Turf project where it is expected to give birth to talent development.

Story Kolog Bonaventure