Takudzwa Changadeya

Zimbabwe Football Association, (ZIFA) has resolved to disburse funds to the top 80 referees and affiliate members to help mitigate Covid-19 effects.

In a statement, ZIFA Communications and Competitions Manager, Xolisani Gwesela revealed that the Executive Committee resolved to pay ZWL2 000 to the top 80 referees and an Administration grant to all affiliate members.

The local football governing body also made a resolution to pay a sportsman levy for 24 500 registered athletes and officials which is due to the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC).

The statement reads:
“..As part of the resolutions, the Executive Committee also approved submissions from the finance committee and directed as follows:

i) Zifa to pay on behalf of our affiliate members sportsman levy due to the Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC) for 24 500 registered athletes and officials. The disbursements to the SRC to be done immediately.

ii)It was also resolved that due to Covid-19 the top 80 referees to be paid an allowance of ZWL 2 000.00 each since some of them were not formally employed.

iii)Moreover, the Emergency Committee also authorised the disbursements of an Administration grant to all affiliate members to help mitigate the Covid19 effects. The quantum of the grant per affiliate is equivalent to the 2020 subscription fees paid or payable by the respective affiliate. The grant will be immediately disbursed to all paid up members and will be deducted from Zifa administration operations budget for 2020. In order to ensure all affiliates benefit, those who have not yet paid their affiliation will have their grant set off against their dues to Zifa at which point they will be deemed fully paid up. Zifa hopes that the money though not sufficient, will go a long way to assist the members. The Executive Committee continues to pursue other means to alleviate the suffering during and post Covid19 for all its stakeholders.”

He also added that football activities remain suspended until further notice. This follows after ZIFA had noticed that some of its football associates had planned to resume their activities around August 2020.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) would like to advise all football stakeholders that football activities remain suspended until further notice. The resumption of football activities will also be done in consultation with CAF and FIFA, ” he said.