Greenlight for Young Warriors’ SA trip

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Football Association is in the process of finalising travel logistics for the country’s Under-20 men’s team for the Cosafa Championship in South Africa after permission was granted for the squad to travel to Mzansi.

Yesterday, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) announced that a go-ahead had been granted by the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation acting in liaison with the Ministry of Health and Child Care for the Young Warriors to take part in the Cosafa tournament.

“We confirm having received been informed by SRC that the U-20 has been granted clearance to travel to South Africa for the U-20 Cosafa tournament. We are grateful to the government and we are currently working on their travel arrangements,’’ said Gwesela.

SRC chairman Gerald Mlotshwa in a statement said approval had been granted to Zifa for the Young Warriors to embark on the trip to South Africa.

“Pursuant to the appeal by Zifa for the Zimbabwe national Under-20 (men) participation in the Cosafa tournament from 3-13 December 2020 in South Africa, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) is happy to announce that the approval for the Under 20’s to participate in the Cosafa tournament has been granted. The approval was granted by the Ministries of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in conjunction with that of Health and Childcare,’’ Mlotshwa said.

According to Mlotshwa, Zifa re-submitted their request for approval following the guidance by the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation after the football governing body sought the intervention of Minister Kirsty Coventry. This was after the SRC refused to grant Zifa permission to send the youngsters to South Africa on the basis that the request had not come 30 days before the team’s departure.

“Zifa will be required to strictly adhere to both the National and International Protocols for the prevention and containment of Covid-19 given the increase in the number of confirmed positive cases in the country and hosting province. We wish the Under-20’s all the success as they represent the country,’’ Mlotshwa said.-@Mdawini_29