By BustopTV Sports Reporter
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is yet to come up with a clear plan on the return of soccer as other countries in the region have resumed their leagues.
Countries such as Zambia and South Africa have already started their league football but it seems Zimbabwe could be a very long way to go in terms of the resumption of soccer.
Speaking in a press statement, ZIFA Communications and Competitions manager, Xolisa Gwesela said that ZIFA will continue to consult on the safe return of football which hints that it could be long before we see soccer in Zimbabwe.
“The Association will continue to consult stakeholders and affiliates on the safe return to football activities. The Association would like to thank fans and members of the football fraternity for their support as we continue to work on plan for safe return to football,” said Gwesela.
The ZIFA Executive Committee also deliberated that youth leagues, women league and infrastructure development be prioritised since FIFA has approved the payment of the legacy debts project.
“FIFA has approved the Payment of legacy debt project and the Association is pursuing the implementation of the following projects:-
a) Infrastructure (Construction of basic stadiums)
b) Youth Leagues
c) Women League
d) Purchase of buses
e) Grassroots football.
f) Construction of a new Head Office and Association offices.” Said the ZIFA statement.
The other issue of importance is that ZIFA will have to revise the COVID 19 relief funds.
“ZIFA Executive committee will continue engaging affiliates and stakeholders for the development and growth of football in the country. Following consultations with affiliates, covid-19 relief allocations have been revised and will be distributed as per attached schedule,” read the statement.
Also agreed upon by ZIFA is the payment of retirement packages of their former staffers.
“The Executive Committee has approved the payment of statutorily computed retirement packages and golden handshakes for former employees, Sam Dlodlo and Tadious Machawira.”
It is critical to note that the country’s soccer governing body did not give the figures of the revised COVID 19 relief funds. The Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League PSL season still hangs in the balance and it is unclear what is going to happen seeing that the supreme body in the country has been engaged in consultations for over half a year now.
