Royals not in Women Super League: Ndlovu
HIGHLANDERS Royals are not taking part in the Zimbabwe Women Super League (ZWSL) despite being fixtured for midweek and weekend ties.
Royals chairlady Sibekiwe Ndlovu said they had not been officially told of their inclusion in the Super League and did not receive any fixture list.
She, however, said the club had decided against being part of the women’s top tier as their side is still at a developmental stage.
ZWSL vice-chairperson Samukeliso Silengane last week revealed they had expanded the league to 24 teams and Royals was one of the teams to be incorporated along with seven other sides that had formed a “rebel league”.
In a fixture list released at the beginning of last week, Highlanders had been paired with Midlands State University for a match on Thursday while yesterday they had been billed to face Weerams in Harare.
Ndlovu said it is their wish to one day grace the women’s top flight but discussions among the Highlanders family led to the club deciding to stay in the Southern Region.
“It is something that we talked about extensively and we met the Highlanders executive and board over the issue and the final decision was that we are not in a position to take part in football at national level as the women’s side.
“We only resuscitated the team last year and we are still trying to find our feet, our players are young and inexperienced and we don’t believe they can withstand competition at the level.
“Again financially the club cannot fund the Royals at national level, as it is we are struggling to keep the team running in the provincial league,” she said.
Ndlovu said it was unfortunate no communication was made to them regarding their inclusion into the Premiership and they only read about it in the Press. She said club leadership had expressed worry the Royals were now in the Super League despite a decision being made to the contrary. Ndlovu said their camp was thrown into disarray after players were informed by ZWSL fixture secretary, Samukeliso Ndlovu that they would be playing at national level.
“The official found players grouped at Barbourfields and told them of the fixture (against MSU) but as the club we received no communication. The players refused to train for three days saying they are not prepared to play in the Super League,” she said.
On the other hand, Silengane said she was not aware of communication inviting Royals to the Super League as it should be done from Harare and efforts to contact ZWSL chairlady, Rosemary Kanonge were fruitless.