ERSL inducts newcomers
THE ZIFA Eastern Region Soccer League has started preparations for their 2024 campaign, which gets underway at the beginning of April.
As part of efforts to ensure smooth operations for the new season, the region held its induction as per their road map at the Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo to familiarise the new boys with the statutes and club administration regulations.
A total of nine clubs attended the induction including the duo of Chicken Inn (Manicaland), and Rusununguko from Mashonaland East, who gained promotion while Bikita Rulers were absent.
The other seven teams came through invites. ERSL regional administrator Fungai Munyoro Chingaira said the induction went well and the region is now under a vigorous process of assessing the statuses of these new teams to see if they have the capacity to participate. Last season Ruwa crumbled along the way after failing to fulfil their matches and the region is looking forward to avoiding such a scenario.
“We had our induction for our new boys as per our ERSL road map and it went well.
These teams got promoted from our provincial leagues so there was a need to familiarise them with the statutes and administration processes ahead of the new season,”she said.“Due to unforeseen circumstances we always make room for other teams which can meet the requirements of ERSL to join us in case old teams fail to be with us.
“So of all the nine teams that took part only two qualified but others came through invitation in the case that there is a team that fails to come up.
“In general football is expensive to run and you will find other teams bowing out hence the need to have other teams equipped with the knowledge of the requisites in case a slot opens up.”
She added:
“In the meantime we are still doing due diligence over these teams, checking their status and capacity to play.
“But we will assure you that by the end of this month, we will have made a decision.
“The reason why we are taking our time is that this time around we don’t want a team that comes in and plays just two games and folds. We want a team that can go all the way.”