Is Zim Ready For Football Return?

Sports Reporter

RECOMMENDED protocols that must be followed for Zimbabwe football to restart during the Covid-19 crisis could be re-adjusted to ensure sustainability.

The committee set up by the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) to come up with guidelines for the return of football came up with tough measures in the preliminary report this year.

This led to PSL clubs’ outcry before even a report had been submitted and adopted.

On Monday Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation minister Kirsty Coventry is set to address media on the way forward for the game.

 “It will have to be something that the SRC will demand, a climb down of some sort but still ensuring they are not far off the WHO guidelines,” an official told ZTN Sport.

The measures include mandatory PCR tests for the club’s players and officials, costs that could be as high as US$2 000 for one team every time they are tested.

And given that the matches could be played in empty stadiums, clubs that rely on match-day tickets revenue look set to face huge losses.

It is a difficult time for Zimbabwe football.

The Minister’s address today will likely point to the direction that the SRC can take in guiding the association at a time international matches are fast approaching.

The Zimbabwe National team, the Warriors, must fulfil Chan and Afcon qualifiers using mostly locally-based players.

This is a result of stringent travel restrictions across the world that could affect foreign-based players’ movement, among other factors.