BY TERRY MADYAUTA
THE Rainbow Amateur Netball League (RANL) is to resume its elite competitions under a cluster competition, which will be hosted at five venues, with teams playing in groups.
This, according to league chiefs, will be a pilot test for them to estimate the aggregate costs they will incur when operating under COVID-19 restrictions.
Out of 18 teams, 14 have already confirmed their willingness to participate in the cluster competition, but the other four are yet to make their decisions public.
Speaking to NewsDay Sport, RANL secretary-general Moses Gukurume said: “We are set to resume soon, but we are being careful considering the COVID-19 situation.
“Although it might seem difficult considering the situation with ZINA [Zimbabwe Netball Association], I think we are well on course to continue working like we did in the last seasons.”
He added: “But not all teams have confirmed their willingness to join us this time. We will, however, work with those that are available. We are also happy to retain our sponsorship that keeps us going.”
The other four teams are reportedly sceptical pending the outcome of their dispute with ZINA, which has for the past three years refused to officially register RANL.
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“The other four teams are yet to confirm with us if they are going to be with us when we start, probably because they want to be sure about the ongoing events with ZINA,” Gukurume said.
“But on our part, everything is well in line and we expect to release fixtures this week so that everything starts to run.
“Our objective remains the same, to give netball teams a chance to compete for something.
“For now, we want to have a forecast of the costs of everything, from the COVID-19 tests, the camping costs, the venue costs and accommodation if we take the bio-bubble.”
In fact, ZINA recently attempted to halt the RANL annual general meeting saying it was not sanctioned by them, amid indications that the former is plotting to form a separate league.
- Follow Terry on Twitter @madyautatpm
