Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
PLAYERS have an obligation to train and compete.
This came to light when Footballers union of Zimbabwe’s (FUZ) Vaida Makotsa addressed delegates at the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) Athletes Commission seminar in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
Athletes and administrators from a good cross section of sporting disciplines attended the workshop in which ZOC’s Newman Gomendo also spoke about anti-doping measures in a bid to retain local sport as very clean.
Makotsa whose FUZ has grown to a feared labour union for soccer players had a chance to give attendees an insight into what athletes are expected to do or deliver in contracted.
Athletes have obligations to their employers and cannot arbitrarily go on industrial action.
“Athletes have an obligation to train and compete. They also have an obligation to maintain professional conduct, comply with rules, attend promotional activities,” said Makotsa.
“They are expected to respect anti-doping regulations in today’s sport which is essential.”
She highlighted about five different scenarios which are red flags to potential player prejudice which athletes should always be on the lookout when signing contracts.
These are:
• Extremely long contract periods
• Pressure to sign immediately
• Unclear payment terms,
• No salary dates
• Automatic renewals
• No copy provided
• No termination rights
• One-sided obligations
• Blank spaces
• Verbal promise
The above incidents rate high among flash points to awaken athletes to potential prejudice and need to
tread carefully before committing to clubs or associations.
A lot of athletes have been taken advantage of because of their low literacy levels.
Contracts are legally binding agreements that create rights and obligations between parties.
“Many people think a contract is about what I’m getting, a contract is mostly about what I’m giving.“
She said more often the first thing athletes do is to look at the salary page, but there are obligations and rights that come with it.
“Talent gets you noticed, performance gets you selected but understanding contracts, sponsorship and image rights protects your future,” she said to the approval of the delegates.
She said there are a number of contracts and each serving specific areas of engagement between club and athlete.
Some common athletes contracts are, athlete employment contracts, sponsorship agreements, endorsement contracts, appearance agreements, with other popular ones including promotional agreements, management agreements all serving different purposes and demanding closer scrutiny before one commits to pen and paper.
Contracts she said have key components to be looked at which are:
• Duration
• Compensation and bonuses
• Athlete obligations
• Performance expectations
• Conduct requirements •
Termination clauses
• Dispute resolution provisions.
She said the costliest clause is often one where the athlete would have omitted reading or failed to comprehend.
Makotsa said athletes have a right to fair treatment, timely payment, safe working environment, respect and access to justice and representation.
Representing the athletes a member of their commission Hellen Mitchell said she was happy with the engagements that took place in Bulawayo.
