The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
THE ZIFA Eastern Region Division One League will this weekend start a month-long mid-season break to give clubs time to rest, refresh and prepare for the resumption of the second half of the campaign.
Confirming the development, ZIFA Eastern Region vice-chairman, Simba Wisdom, said all league action will be on hold for 30 days.
The marathon is at the halfway stage now, with 16 rounds of fixtures played.
“We recently held our board meeting and agreed that the league pauses for a month to allow for a mid-season break. This means that the games will be suspended until we resume after 30 days.
“This has been necessitated by the need to have teams take a rest and recharge. During that period, clubs will have time to adequately plan and prepare for the remainder of the season,” said Simba.
Simba said the interval gives clubs the much-needed respite to realign their operations with the resolutions and recommendations made by the board during its recent meeting as well as a workshop held earlier this year to explore ways of improving the league’s standards.
He added that clubs immensely benefited from the workshop.
Said Simba: “While reviewing the progress made in the season so far, we also reflected on the state of the league during our recent board meeting as we are seeking to continuously improve the game.
“During the workshop held in March, clubs through their administrators, secretaries and team managers were capacitated and equipped with skills to run their clubs more professionally. Thus, we have noted a marked improvement in the clubs’ conduct on and off the field and we commend them for that.
“We are also hoping that clubs with outstanding issues, including those that have not finished paying the affiliation fees as well as those fined for offences during the course of the first half of campaign will settle their dues.”
The ZIFA Eastern Region vice-chairman expressed satisfaction with how the league proceedings had progressed.
“So far so good. The league has progressed well without any major incidents. The level of competition has also been top notch that we are confident the team that will get promoted from the Eastern Region can hold its own and be a formidable force to reckon with in the Premiership,” said Wisdom.
Chisumbanje-based GreenFuel lead the race for elevation into the elite-league and are expected to shrug off stiff competition among the chasing pack.
Mutare City Rovers are within shouting distance as they trail the log leaders by four points in second position.
Ruwa-based ProGroup and Masvingo United are third and fourth respectively tied on 28 points.
Pro Melfort complete the top five and have amassed 25 points.
