The principal director in the Local Government Ministry, which runs the National Sports Stadium, Joseph Mhakayakora, yesterday said the Wa...
The principal director in the Local Government Ministry,
which runs the National Sports Stadium, Joseph Mhakayakora, yesterday said the Warriors should
never have been barred from training.
“We heard about the incident and it was quite unfortunate
that it had to go to that extent. In fact, when the news came, we immediately
directed that the team should train at the ground while things were being
worked out.
“We had a meeting with the ZIFA chief executive (Joseph
Mamutse) here on March 4 and then with the technical director (Wilson Mtekede)
the following day and they clearly explained the standards they expected to see
at the ground.
“We have always given football, especially our national
team, the priority to use the facility. That is why the Warriors have trained
and played at the National Sports Stadium several times, even without meeting
their obligations.
“But the only difference now, probably, was that the
tickets are being sold online and I understand our guys requested access to the
process so that they can be able to account for the 12 percent royalty for the
purposes of Government audit.
“ZIFA did not respond to that. It’s important to note that
the money paid through stadium bookings is used to maintain the facility for it
to be in good condition.
“The stadium does not receive a grant from the Treasury.
“And, because they always come at the last minute, they
were given a contract on Tuesday, but they never returned, only to pitch up at
the stadium on the fateful day for training without any documentation.
“So, it could be that the officials at the ground acted
according to procedure since there is a committee that runs the stadium in
accordance with the constitution. But a directive was still given for the
Warriors to train.’’
The team yesterday trained at Yadah Complex and might get
their only chance this morning since the afternoon is reserved for the visiting
team.
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