BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
THE Premier Soccer League (PSL) has drafted a proposal, which could eventually see resumption of local football for the first time since December 2019 following an outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a leaked document making rounds on social media platforms, believed to have been prepared by PSL CEO Kenny Ndebele, the local league came up with a master plan to salvage local football.
A proposal by the Sports ministry for football to return with a secure bio-bubble concept to ensure all the clubs camp in a safe environment, in September last year, eventually suffered a stillbirth.
But PSL’s new scheme seeks to resume competition by placing clubs in groups based on their locality to cut down on travelling.
“The Premier Soccer League consists of 18 football clubs dotted across the country. To restart football, a competition has to be introduced where intercity/provisional travelling is minimised for purposes of reducing the spread of the coronavirus and cutting costs,” read the document.
It went on to suggest that clubs would be placed in four groups, namely Group 1 comprising five teams to be located in Harare, Group 2 also made up of five teams to be located in Mutare or Mhondoro Ngezi.
Group 3 will have four teams placed in Bulawayo and Group 4 with four clubs camped in Zvishavane.
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“The teams shall play a round robin competition over a period of 4/5 weeks.
“Top teams from respective groups to proceed to the semi-finals. The winners to meet in the final match to be staged at the venue to be agreed with the sponsors. The matches shall be played behind closed doors,” PSL said.
The document also discusses at length Covid-19 protocols with regard to training, testing and vaccination.
“Clubs must ensure that the protocols are strictly followed. Testing to be done by laboratories registered with the ministry of Health and Child Care, and monitored by the PSL sports medicine committee. The committee will be expanded to have a total of 15 medical doctors.
“Players and officials will undergo PCR tests before commencement of training and AG tests on a regular basis. Players and officials, who test positive for the Covid-19 virus will be required to isolate as per the health guidelines. Training and match protocols will be prepared and forwarded to respective authorities together with this proposal.
“The World Health Organisation together with respective governments across the world are recommending vaccination as a solution to curbing/minimising the coronavirus.
“The PSL will seek application to get clearance from the ministry of Health to import recommended vaccines for all the players and officials. The process of vaccination will be carried out by the PSL medical committee doctors. All guidelines regarding vaccination to be strictly followed by all stakeholders,” the PSL proposal said.
So confident is the PSL in its proposal that clubs are expected to re-submit relevant documents for player registration before March 31, 2021.
Players will also be issued with licences to participate in all football matches and this should be accompanied by a vaccination certificate.
PSL clubs will be required to pay the annual subscription fee in the sum of US$2 500 each before February 28, 2021.
The Zifa first instance body will inspect all clubs, training fields and the four stadia to be used for the competitions while team buses will be strictly used to carry vaccinated officials and players only.
The PSL commits to recruiting 15 properly qualified compliance officers who will visit club offices, training grounds and match venues to ensure that the Covid-19 protocols are followed.
After getting a measly US$10 000 of the Covid-19 relief funds received by Zifa from Fifa, the PSL is set to request for a further US$ 100 000 for the running of the association’s business.
And as highlighted by Ndebele in an earlier interview with this publication, the PSL will also engage traditional sponsors Delta Beverages.
“PSL to request a sum of US$100 000 from the Fifa Covid-19 relief fund. The said amount will be used to pay staff salaries, rentals, stadium inspections, television production costs and other administrative costs.
“The league will engage Delta Beverages to sponsor the competition. The package is expected to cover prize money, administration fee and fuel costs.
“The league will also engage Fidelity Life Assurance to cover players and technical officials for the 2021 football season.
“The league will partner with local authorities, the ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, non-governmental organisations, the World League’s Forum, and other private sector companies and organisations to ensure that football is played in a safe and secure environment,” PSL said.
Ndebele and PSL chairman Farai Jere were not immediately available to comment on the document and the PSL’s plans for the resumption of local football.
