We are ready for anything, says SAFA Vhembe

Following the state president’s pronouncement that the national lockdown will be extended by two weeks until the end of this month, the SAFA Vhembe Regional Association said they will be ready to adhere to whatever decision their mother body, the South African Football Association (SAFA), will take after the lifting of the lockdown.

According to the SAFA Vhembe’s general secretary, Mr Eric Muneri, the international football federation, FIFA, has already given their member federations some guidelines to follow when making decisions relating COVID-19. Muneri said that priority shall be given to the health of people. He further stated that the first thing they will look at after the lifting of the lockdown will be the possibility to complete their league programme.

He stated that the worst scenario will be the federation’s decision to declare the current season null and void and resume with a new season at the right time. Muneri said that a decision to nullify the current season will have far-reaching consequences. According to him that decision is likely to spark a huge outcry saying it will have huge financial implications.

Muneri said their league is currently enjoying sponsorships from two companies, MMK Administrators and the South African Breweries (SAB) and that nullifying the season would mean that they must have serious negotiations with their sponsors. According to him the cause for him to spend sleepless nights was the fear of the unknown.

“You see, we are not even sure at this stage if the lockdown will be uplifted at the end of the month or we are going to see another extension” he said. Muneri also stated that it was his wish as a person to see the lockdown coming to an end this month. “When all is said and done, the decision lies with the relevant authorities” he concluded.

Sport - Date: 17 April 2020

Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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