adminFrom Sikhumbuzo Moyo in Gweru
PREMIER Soccer League staffers yesterday spoilt what was otherwise meant to be a celebratory moment for the history making FC Platinum by barring members of the media from conducting post match interviews.
So hostile were the staffers that they could not even allow members of the media to sit in the makeshift but safe VIP arena. The press had to cover the game in an open and unsafe environment.
Pure Platinum play wrote their name into the annals of Zimbabwean football history by lifting the league title courtesy of a 2-0 final score line over Chapungu, in the process becoming the second club after St Pauls from outside Bulawayo or Harare to lift the coveted title.
In a strange but real life behaviour by the league, which was represented by its competitions manager Elisha Mandireva and communications and media liaison officer Kudzai Bare, the Zifa vice president Omega Sibanda, who are the custodians of football in the country, was also not given the VIP treatment during the prize giving ceremony.
When the helicopter landed at the venue, the PSL marshals came to the VIP stand and asked FC Platinum officials, to go to the trophy presentation podium, leaving Sibanda hopelessly stunned and lonely.
Mandireva told members of the media that they will not be allowed to conduct post match interviews inside the pitch while Bare did not even bother to entertain the press, despite her portfolio.
Bongani Ndlovu