The Sunday News
Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Football Association has given an explanation on the rationale behind the revisions made to the coronavirus relief funds distribution.
In a statement on Wednesday, Zifa said the Premier Soccer League will receive its US$ 100 000 share as a once off payment.
“The other US$ 66 000 that had been earmarked for the top flight in the second tranche will now be channeled towards lower leagues referees’ fees when competitions resume. In retrospect, we realised that we had overlooked these officials while clubs in the lower leagues also suffered financial distress, if not worse than those in the top flight,’’ Zifa said.
According to the local football governing body, the adjustments made to the allocations resulted from several proposals collected from wide-ranging discussions with all assembly members, who included PSL governors.
The most significant lesson from this exercise, Zifa said the need to be proactive as a football nation in terms of generating revenue so that relief funds only come in to help, not to take care of all financial challenges.
“Zifa reiterates that all affiliates and critical support stakeholders are equally important and no one is more important than the other with regards to covid-19 assistance.”
The national association pointed out that PSL will actually benefit more seeing that they are getting US$110 000 while they have 18 teams.
“Further, it must be pointed out that the other affiliates, save for the PSL, received their grants as a combo for both the offices and the clubs under their jurisdiction. To the extent basic mathematics will show that the regions which received only US$124 000 have a minimum of 64 teams with provinces which received a total of US $160 000 have 160 teams yet the PSL which only have 18 teams received US$110 000. Clearly a simple fair analysis will show the PSL got more per Club or official than any other affiliate,’’ Zifa said.
The football governing body urged affiliates and officials to understand the underlying principles of some decisions before they make any remarks as the current Zifa leadership and administration has an open-door policy which stakeholders must take advantage to seek explanations on any issues they have questions on as bickering can drive away would be sponsors.
