Mulenga okays league

SUN SPORTS writes

FANS may be allowed at stadiums if the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is able to come up with a system ensuring public health guidance, says Sports, Youth and Child Development Minister, Emmanuel Mulenga.

Meanwhile, FAZ has written too Premier League and Division One clubs announcing that the first league matches will be played on the weekend 18 and 19 July at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium with club trainings expected to resume on July 1.

The Sports minister recently announced that teams can start preparing for the league resumption following approval from the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Health.

“All sports disciplines should not open now until when their fields have been inspected by the government as well as their federations. We need to make sure that the fields are in good condition.

“They also need to get certification from the Ministry of Health. All sports fields need to be certified by all relevant authorities,” Mulengasaid.

“No one should open their facilities until all the conditions have been met. The league will resume next month and I wish all the players all the best I know they have stayed away from the fields for a long time but thank God the fields have been opened and we are wishing them all the best and I wish for the best team to win the league.”

Meanwhile, Mulenga has urged FAZ to sensitise members on the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health.

He said social football in various communities remains banned with only the Super Division and the National Division one, the only leagues approved to start with strict adherence to Ministry of Health guidelines.

“Those who want to play social football, I know they are bored over the weekend but we are not stopping them because we want to exercise our powers, we are stopping them because we want each and every Zambian to be protected,” he said.

FAZ General Secretary Adrian Sakala has since requested administrators in the FAZ MTN Super Division and the FAZ Eden University National Division 1 to attend briefings mapping the way forward on the resumption of the league matches.

In a circular, Kashala has announced that clubs can resume training in small groups of up to 10 players while maintaining social distancing and complying with the health guidelines.

FAZ has also provided guidance on training, testing and prevention measures in light of Covid-19.

Kashala disclosed that the full fixtures and dates for the resumption of Provincial leagues will be announced later.