adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
THE Plumtree District Soccer League has collapsed. The management committee has no teams as those that took part in last year’s competition have pulled out.
League chairperson Chakudza Mutarika said no teams have shown interest in playing competitive soccer this year.He said teams refused to pay registration fees forcing the committee to call off the league.
“Teams have refused to pay their registration fees and they have indicated that they are not interested in playing competitive soccer. They are only interested in social soccer which shows they are not serious about soccer. As a result we have called off the league but we are not dissolving the committee with the hope that some teams with interest will come on board,” said Mutarika.
He said the committee had cancelled a tournament which had been scheduled for this month. The event would have been used to lure teams to the league.
“We had scheduled a tournament which was set to begin on February 9. We had hoped to hold six games in different places across Bulilima and Mangwe.
“We had invited few teams to participate and we had hoped to attract other teams in those areas in the process. Unfortunately teams did not turn up for the tournament and we had to cancel it,” he said.
Added Mutarika: “The tournament was meant to kick-start our league matches in March.”
He said the biggest challenge facing teams was lack of sponsorship. The league which was launched in April last year kicked off with 17 teams. The league lost seven of its teams by end of last year due to financial challenges. Out of the remaining 10 teams eight pulled out after failing to licence their players leaving only Zebras and Nxele Rovers.
Online Reporter