The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter
CLUB in the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One League are struggling to pay affiliation fees, amid revelations that less than half of the envisaged 20 teams have managed to pay resulting in a delay in the start of the regional second tier league.
New teams in the Eastern Region are required to pay $3 600, while old ones are required to fork out $3 100 in affiliation fees at the start of the season.
Of the $3 600 and $3 100 affiliation fees per club, $600 is forwarded to ZIFA for club registration fees, while the reminder for every club goes to the regional football administration body for day to day administrative expenses.
ZIFA Eastern Region general manager, Tedious Machawira, confirmed that only eight teams had paid their affiliation fees.
Mwenezana, Mucheke Pirates, Bikita Minerals, Prime Rangers, Hartley Academy, Surrey, Gutu and Tenax are the only clubs that have paid their affiliation fees, while Masvingo army outfit United Lions have paid half of the required amount.
“We are having problems in the payment of affiliation fees by clubs in the region. This has resulted in a delay in the start of the league season for 2017.
“We no longer want a scenario in which clubs are barred from fulfilling their league matches towards the end of the season simply because they are failing to pay affiliation fees. This gives undue advantage to other clubs especially those in the championship race, while disadvantaging others.
“As we speak, we only have eight that have paid in full. It appears that the prevailing economic hardships are affecting clubs, hence the failure to pay affiliation fees by clubs in time,” said the veteran Masvingo based football administrator.
The ZIFA Eastern Region is meant for three provinces, Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Masvingo.
A provisional list of 20 teams that have expressed interest in taking part in the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One has since been drawn and now awaits confirmation to be made during the preseason regional meeting to be held anytime soon.
Buffaloes, Mutare City Rovers, Black Eagles, Redwing, Africa Trust, Bikita Minerals, Mucheke Pirates, Masvingo City Dortmund, United Lions, Mwenezana, Renco Mine, Surrey, Mutoko Traders, Prime Rangers, Hartley Academy, Masvingo United, Tenax and Chitungwiza United make up the list of teams that have expressed interest in taking part in the Zifa Eastern Region Division One 2017 season.
After an eventful 2016 season, Harare side – Yadah Stars – eventually gained promotion into the Premiership albeit under controversial circumstances.
