adminSenior Sports Reporter
THE National Rugby League might be called off with the first half of the league concluded as no sponsorship has been forthcoming. NRL chairman Noddy Kanyangarara said they will keep an eye on the situation this week and if no sponsor is secured, they will have no choice but to call off the league. Last weekend, clubs paid for their own transport to match venues but yesterday’s matches had to be called off after clubs indicated they were not able to secure transport money.
“We are going to monitor the situation this coming week, if no sponsor comes through we have to make a decision which in this case is simple, we call off the league. Last weekend, the clubs funded themselves but this week they said they have no money to travel. We are looking for any form of sponsorship, be it a donation or rescue package,’’ said Kanyangarara.
The NRL was left with no sponsor after Delta Beverages, who bankrolled the league for three years through their Lion Lager brand decided not to renew the sponsorship which expired at the end of last season.
Meanwhile, Zvishavane Bulls are in danger of being thrown out of the NRL after failing to raise enough players for their fixtures on two occasions.
The club was supposed to be summoned before a disciplinary hearing last weekend but the case had to be postponed to a later date due to a late notice to club officials. The development saw their league match against Bulawayo club, Western Panthers which was supposed to be played at McAdam Rugby Field in Zvishvane being moved to a later date.
Kanyangarara said the club will be included on the fixtures programme until the outcome of the disciplinary process is over.
“Zvishavane Bulls will be brought before a disciplinary hearing for failing to come up with a full team for a match twice this season. They will get a chance to present their story before a disciplinary committee. It is costing us money sending them for matches and sending teams to Zvishavane so we cannot continue with such a scenario where Zvishavane Bulls do not take our league seriously,’’ said Kanyangarara.
According to Kanyangarara, the worst case scenario will be the expulsion of the club from the NRL.
Zvishavane Bulls were promoted to the NRL at the beginning of last season amid excitement in the mining town. It was seen as a way of spreading the game to all parts of the country. That brought the number of southern region clubs in the NRL to five.
While they recorded some wins last year, it has been a terrible season for Zvishavane Bulls as they have lost all the nine matches they have played this season with heavy margins, the last being a 119-3 hammering they got from defending champions Old Hararians in their own backyard two weeks ago.
The death of Slimfield Moyo in a car accident while he was travelling for the team’s training session last year and the absence of Larry Chikukura who is in India furthering his studies has left the club without much personel with a passion for the game.
Mutare Sports Club, promoted to the top flight this season have proved to be more organised with three wins from nine matches.
Online Reporter