Online ReporterCurtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
The on-going Zimbabwe-FIFA MA referees’ course was yesterday blighted by the death of a five-month-old infant child of one of the 30 participants.
ZIFA are staging the five-day course which is being conducted by FIFA instructors − Zimbabwe’s Felix Tangawarima and Nasreddine Cherif of Algeria.
In a brief statement announcing the tragedy, ZIFA said they reported the incident to the police who are now handling the matter with the association’s full co-operation.
The tragedy occurred during a session attended by a female referee, who had brought her two young children together with her.
The referee is part of the 30 members who are attending an elite FIFA MA Referees course in Harare.
According to the statement, the infant child suffered a sudden and unexpected medical incident.
“Despite immediate efforts to render assistance, the child sadly passed away,” said ZIFA.
The exact circumstances leading to the infant’s death remain unclear.
“ZIFA are handling the case in accordance with the law.
“The association has pledged its full support to the bereaved mother.
“As an Association, we extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and respectfully ask that their privacy be observed.”
The participants yesterday entered the third day of the high-level course.
Another course for match assessors with the same FIFA trainers will begin on Monday.
