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Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter
THE Premier Soccer League clubs have said the annual meeting has to provide practical solutions to challenges clubs are facing, ahead of the resumption, of domestic football.
The indaba, which set to be held in Harare on Friday, is expected to set the tone for the much-awaited return of top-flight football.
The game has been in limbo since March 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic.
CAPS United vice-president, Nhamo Tutisani, told The Herald clubs needed to clean up their house, to ensure football returns in a viable manner.
“First and foremost, let’s try and enhance the consultative processes within the PSL itself, so that we all have an input when decisions are made at the top,” he said.
“I think we also advised, after our meeting with Dynamos and Highlanders, that we are seized with some mundane concerns, like the issue of expiring contracts.
“I feel this issue needs clarity because some clubs are now going behind each other’s back and it’s creating problems on the transfer market.
“Of course, competition is necessary on the field of play but outside we should be seen to co-operate, with one another, so that our football benefits.
“So, we have to come together and chat the way forward,” said Tutisani.
Tutisani said the forum should also be used to discuss how the league can attract corporate sponsors, and partners.
“Our league should be commercially attractive. We are the flagship of Zimbabwe’s domestic football and we should demonstrate that we are organised,” he said.
“For instance, SuperSport is involved in 49 countries, why is Zimbabwe excluded? It probably means we have to self-introspect.
“Why have we been losing numbers at our football matches?
“Why do we keep recycling players? What are we doing to bring the talented football players in from the remote rural areas?”
“I wouldn’t want to speculate. But the bottom line is, whatever we talk about we, have to find ways to grow our football.”
Dynamos chairman, Isaiah Mupfurutsa, said they were also looking to put across their concerns to the indaba.
“We also have expectations but I wouldn’t want to comment much on it because it will be more like pre-emptying.
“Remember, we are also part of the decision-makers so I feel it may not be proper to share our thoughts now.
“But, whatever comes out of the meeting will be binding; we will work with that because it’s a resolution made by all clubs,” said Mupfurutsa.
Of late, there have been bitter fights between players and clubs over disagreements, emanating from the interpretation of the FIFA guidelines, on contracts that expired last year.
Herentals secretary-general, Fainos Madhumbu, said their club have pinned all their hopes on the AGM.
“We have three major expectations as a club,” he said.
“The first and most important of all is the issue of contracts. This one hasn’t been clarified.
“We want to know what exactly should be happening with contracts that expired last year because we have been seeing some confusion around this matter.
“Fortunately, on our part, we have had long-term contracts with our players but I hope the discussion around this area will benefit many clubs.
“Secondly, it has to be made clear who is financing the resumption of football. Of course we all have to contribute. But, who is going to play what part?
“Is there going to be shared responsibility?
“Then, we would, obviously, want to know when the game is going to start and in which format.”
Yadah chairman, Everson Chatambudza, said clubs have to find common ground at the AGM to avoid transfer chaos.
“We haven’t been active for some time and one sure thing is that clubs have been struggling to meet costs,” he said.
“We have to find a way to make sure our clubs remain viable under this difficult Covid-19 environment.
“Clubs we have done their best to keep paying salaries and meeting all other obligations.
“But, I am confident that the game will kick-off this year, as long as the clubs are doing their best to make sure that they adhere to the Covid-19 regulations.” The league have requested the 18 clubs to pay an annual subscription fee of US$2 500, as they prepare, for football resumption.
The clubs will also meet their camping, and upkeep costs, during the games.
Online Reporter