adminRaymond Jaravaza
ZIFA Southern Region clubs heaved a sigh of relief after the league executive decision to keep affiliation fees for both old and new teams stagnant, a move meant to keep the financially constrained teams viable in the 2016 season.
The decision, according to the league board member for finance Brighton Malandule, was reached with the current economic situation in mind.
a�?The affiliation fees will not be increased considering the current economic situation. An increase in affiliation fees will only further burden our financially strained teams so as a league we are trying to get sponsors on board to assist cater for expenses such as running the office and paying our staff,a�? he said.
Five newly promoted teams will be required to pay $3 000 each in affiliation fees while the 13 that are already part of the league will each fork out $2 500.
Clubs paid the same amounts last season.
The Bulawayo based trio of Highlanders Academy, Talen Vision and Zimbabwe Republic Police (Bulawayo Province) as well as Victoria Falls Tigers and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (Matabeleland North Province) make up the five teams joining the Southern Region League from Division Two.
Mpumalanga United and Old Nic Mine were both expelled last season for breaching the leaguesa�� rules and regulations which stipulate that a team that fails to fulfill three consecutive fixtures is automatically booted out.
Failure to pay affiliation fees is also grounds for expulsion.
Meanwhile, the number of teams in the league is set to increase to 18 from the traditional 16 teams that battle it out for the ultimate Premier Soccer League ticket at the end of each season.
The decision is in line with a board resolution that was made mid season last year.
League chairman Musa Mandaza explained: a�?We are increasing the number of teams to 18 which means we will not be relegating any team this time around. As a result of the expulsion of Old Nic Mine and Mpumalanga last season, five teams have been promoted to join 13 others that are already part of the league,a�? he said.
The 13 teams exclude the 2015 season title winners Bulawayo City FC who will play Premiership football this season.
The board is expected to meet this afternoon to review the 2015 season, map the way forward for the upcoming season as well as come up with a date for an Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Nokel Security, sponsors of the top goal scorer award will continue bankrolling the accolade in the upcoming season to the tune of $150 to the highest goal scorer every month.
List of teams in the Zifa Southern Region League:
Bulawayo Chiefs, Hwange Juniors, Bantu Rovers, Black Boots, Makomo, Amagagasi, ZPC Hwange, Casmyn, NUST, Ntabazinduna, Indlovu Iyanyathela, Technosphere, Trumus, Highlanders Academy, ZRP (Bulawayo Province), Victoria Falls Tigers, ZRP (Matabeleland North Province), Talen Vision.
Online Reporter