Coltart directive in national teams gets nod

Sunday News

22-28 July 2012

The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has endorsed a directive by the minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart, to have all national teams’ games spread countrywide.

The SRC said sports associations in the country have agreed to facilitate the rotation of the games so as to giver every Zimbabwean a chance to watch national team games.

SRC corporate communications officer Tirivashe Nheweyembwa disclosed that they met the associations on 30 June who embraced the ministry’s initiative.

“The SRC board me on 30 June and the issue was brought up and all the national sports associations agreed to take up the challenge and ensure that games are spread to all provinces,” said Nheweyembwa.

He was confident that with immediate effect all stadiums fir to host international games would be granted that opportunity.

“Barbourfields stadium among other stadiums should be in a position to host the next international match as Zifa has not advised us about any abnormalities in the stadium. The only challenge that we might be facing is that not all provinces have enough resources to host other games hence as we try to capacitate them, some of the games will be still be played in Harare,” he said.

Earlier the minister had issued as order urging the sports body to publicly announce changes in their policy regarding International matches.

“The SRC should exercise its discretion to authorize, subject to undertakings having been obtained that equity will be obtained in future fixtures.”

“The SRC must publicly announce this change in policy and annually produce a report detailing where all international matches have been held, the dates they have been held, the dates they have been held, the respective attendance figures and the report should give any justification applied to allow any deviation from a precisely equitable share of matches at all internationally accepted venues,” said Coltart.

The directive by Coltart is to be implemented from next month and will affect all national football teams, including youth sides and the women’s team.

Apart from the national Sports Stadium, and Rufaro, Barbourfields Stadium is the only other sporting facility approved to host international matches outside the capital.