Are ZIFA and SRC having a cold war?

Tendai Chisiri

 The local premier Soccer League (PSL) is waiting resumption after a hiatus of almost 2 football seasons and many are pessimistic of the bio- bubble suggested by Sports Recreation Commission (SRC) to the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) administered league as it may not  materialize.

In an interview with Shasha Sport Online, former Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigove said the possibility of the bio- bubble transpiring is questionable. He revealed the SRC had been at loggerheads in the past with ZIFA such that a cold war may be in place.  The SRC according to Chigove accused ZIFA of embezzlement with regards to FIFA funds and called for an audit of ZIFA’s financial statements. ZIFA turned a deaf ear and said it was against FIFA protocols for a government to intervene in its administration.

In a twist of events, it is now SRC giving the Covid-19 lock down protocols to ZIFA and it seems severe for the PSL to have bio- bubble for the league to resume.

“Bio- bubble is costly to Zimbabwean clubs. Few clubs can manage to have accommodation for the layers at one place”, added Chigove.

 Bio- bubble is a safe and secure environment that is isolated from the outside world to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection, a bio-bubble permits only authorized sports persons, support staff and match officials to enter the protected area after testing negative for COVID-19. Naturally, individuals must be regularly tested, temperature checked with respective health reports filed accordingly.

The bio-bubble does not just limit itself to the pitch or field; it is, of course, mandatory that all entities partake in this new form of quarantine. The Premier Soccer League clubs will provide ‘bio secure bubbles’ in accommodation places, training sessions, matches and transportation.

Churches have been allowed to open for the vaccinated only. The use of empty stadiums is welcome as when the number of Covid-9 cases decrease, fans may be allowed to watch their favorite teams.

Chigove is not the only one having these sentiments about the bio- bubble as Newsday Sport reported that Manica Diamond a PSL outfit could not afford to buy tracksuits for its players meaning having a bio- bubble environment to them is a non-starter issue.