Vusumuzi Dube
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE Zifa National Normalisation Committee (NC) is in the process of setting up an anti-violence focus group for fans and Premier Soccer League teams in a bid to curb disturbances that occur at stadia.
This was revealed by the Normalisation Committee’s member Sikhumbuzo Ndebele during a football “Indaba” hosted in Bulawayo by the Sunday News.
It was held under the theme, “Tackling Football Violence To Ensure Social Cohesion.”
Speakers at the historic meeting included PSL boss Kenny Ndebele, Highlanders vice-chairman Fiso Siziba and Fungai Mpfeka from women’s football. Football fans, residents of Barbourfields, the police and administrators were also in attendance.
In his address Sikhumbuzo Ndebele said the Normalisation Committie was acting on violence at stadia.
“As the Normalisation Committee we have what we call a Focus Group that is under design and architecture. As we speak some of the members, l won’t mention them but PSL, SRC and the Police are going to be involved. Some members l won’t surprise and mention them here. The group is club specific in the sense of Dynamos FC and Highlanders FC and it will include passionate supporters and the executives of the teams,” said Ndebele.
The ZIFA member added that: “We are hoping the focus group will show what we call the response programme as regulators. It will effect training among the clubs. We are promising to call clubs one by one to undergo specific training. If l am to put timelines to it we are just short of having a ministerial approval because there is a piece of legislation that needs to be passed before we go ahead with the programme.
“If dialogues like these continue to happen it might end up in the crafting of a law that is made by the people.”
Some of the resolutions from the gathering included a call for stricter penalties including the possibility of enacting laws to impose harsh consequences on individuals involved in acts of hooliganism within stadia.
There was also a suggestion to ban repeat offenders.
Participants also stressed the importance of timely opening of exit gates to prevent stampedes and possible damage to walls.
It was noted that transparency in dealing with referees’ mistakes, public education on incitement of violence (which can sometimes be fueled by players and coaches), and responsible media coverage were all essential aspects in a bid seek to address the problem.
The use of drones was suggested.
Bongani Ndlovu