Mhlope: It’s a setback
Chioniso Mashakada
HIGHLANDERS chairman Kenneth Mhlophe has described the cancellation of the club’s Annual General Meeting and elections as a setback.
The events were scheduled for January 30 and February 7 and Highlanders had since applied for authorisation from the local football mother body through the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and the Sports Recreation Committee.
The application was however, turned down because it did not comply with Covid-19 rules.
“We respect the decision, but it’s a setback, we were ready for the elections. The election mood is toxic to the brand. We will wait until it is possible to do so, but it’s a major setback to us,” he said.
ZIFA on Tuesday released a letter stating that Highlanders’ AGM has been postponed in line with the lockdown rules.
“ZIFA wishes to inform the football fraternity and the nation that indeed Highlanders FC applied through the Premier Soccer League (PSL) on 11 January 2021 but ZIFA received the request on 25 January 2021.
“ZIFA subsequently sent the request to the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) on the same day. SRC promptly responded and advised ZIFA that the request was late for approval processes to be completed in time for the proposed events. SRC also noted that the request was not accompanied by elaborate Covid19 protocols for the event.
“The sports governing body further stressed that gatherings had been suspended under the new lockdown measures. Consequently, SRC recommended the postponement of the Highlanders FC meetings,” wrote Zifa.