Fifa referees’ courses in doubt

ZIMBABWE could miss out on hosting Fifa referees, instructors and match assessors’ physical courses set to run for a month should the Government maintain its blanket ban on sports due to soaring Covid-19 infections.

The world football governing body has given Zimbabwe the green light to host elite referees, match assessors, promising referees (under 25 years old) and instructors’ capacitation clinics between August and September.

Fifa’s top instructors, who include Zimbabwe’s celebrated official Felix Tangawarima, and some regional mentors have been booked to officiate in the programmes, which start on August 7 and end on September 8.

According to the Fifa calendar, 30 elite referees made up of 15 officials on the Fifa panel and 15, who officiate in the Premier Soccer League, are supposed to enroll for the course from August 7-8 for theory and practical lessons.

The 15 officials on the Fifa panel are referees Brighton Chimene, Norman Matemera, Prince Mathumo, Lawrence Zimondi, Thanks Nyahuye and Mercy Mayimbo, as well as assistant referees Brighton Nyika, Tafadzwa Nkala, Thomas Kusosa, Edgar Rumeck, Salani Ncube, Mhara Luckson, Faith Mloyi, Stella Ruvinga and Claris Simango.

From August 12-16, 30 instructors from the country’s 10 provinces are expected to converge for the trainers’ programme, followed by the referees’ assessors’ course from August 20-24.

Bryton Malandule, Zifa referees committee chairperson, said they had deliberately asked each province to send three instructors so that all “corners of the country” are covered.

He said the young talent course, targeting match officials below 25 years of age, will run from September 4-8.

Malandule said local instructors, who include Brighton Mudzamiri and Sabelo Maphosa, will assist seconded Fifa officials in the courses.

He said they will submit their application to hold the courses under strict Covid-19 protocols.

“The sports ban might affect courses that we’ve been given by Fifa. Unfortunately, if we fail to get the greenlight to host these courses, it means we will have to wait for next year. Our guys would have missed out on opportunities to capacitate themselves.

“What we intend to do is use the bio-bubble system for everyone attending the courses. We will test everyone and those found Covid-19 positive will not be allowed into the bubble,” said Malandule. - @ZililoR