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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has urged all Zimbabwean sports persons living in the violence hit South Africa to remain calm as government arms were taking all the necessary steps to ensure their safety. Violence against foreign black nationals has been going on for more than two weeks now and although no sports person has been reported to have fallen victim to the barbaric act, Zimbabwe’s supreme sports body has gone ahead and advised its nationals to be careful.

“Obviously we’re worried as SRC about what’s happening in South Africa. We therefore would like to urge our fellow sports persons there to exercise caution whenever they visit certain areas. They should be wary at all times especially of those they move around with,” said the SRC director general Charles Nhemachena yesterday.

He said as a sports body, their concern also was not just on the playing personnel but even on the general public who watch sporting activities.

“These sports icons will not be where they’re now without anyone cheering them who in this case are the masses, some of whom have since fallen victim to the attacks. Our concern is also on them,” said Nhemachena.

He said the sports commission would leave all the evacuation, if need be, to the relevant government arms who are better skilled and equipped to deal with such eventualities.

Zimbabwe Warriors striker Tendai Ndoro, now plying his trade with Mpumalanga Black Aces in the Absa Premiership, on Thursday raised alarm when he took to his Facebook page.

“Xenophobia in our area, GOD HELP US,” the former Chicken Inn star forward said.

In a brief interview, the player reiterated his fear and said the situation was really bad.

Zifa have said they will stand guided by the government through the SRC on whether to send a team to next month’s Cosafa Cup, bankrolled by South African Breweries through their Castle Lager brand.

Meanwhile, the South African Football Association (Safa) has become the first football association to publicly condemn the xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals being perpetrated by what it called criminal elements.

According to the South African media, Safa president Danny Jordaan said the attacks were against the 2010 World Cup legacy.

“What’s happening in certain parts of the country whereby fellow Africans are being subjected to all sorts of hate and abuse is quite unacceptable.

“This isn’t what the 2010 Fifa World Cup Legacy was all about. When we hosted the 2010 showpiece, it was an African World Cup, to unite the continent, speak and relate as a united family,” Jordaan, who was the CEO of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, is quoted saying.

“What’s happening now in some parts of the country is quite the opposite. It’s like undoing all the good work and legacy of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. South Africa is part of this great continent and we shouldn’t alienate ourselves with these regrettable and barbaric actions.”

The Safa president said after years of isolation, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had played a critical role in getting South Africa to be readmitted into the Fifa family.

“CAF and the entire continent were at the forefront of telling the world that apartheid had no place in the sport and that unless it was abolished, South Africa should remain isolated. If it wasn’t for them, it could probably have taken many more years for this country to enjoy the fruits of the abolition of apartheid.

“So instead of embracing our brothers from across the continent as part of us, we’re making them feel unwelcome. This is unfortunate and unacceptable. It must stop. Everyone must say no to xenophobia (where fellow Africans are being attacked) because it’s some sort of apartheid in reverse. It has no place in modern society,” added the Safa president.

South African national teams and clubs participate in various competitions on the continent and Jordaan warned those who promote xenophobia that they risk putting their teams in a very risky position when they play away from home.

“It’s like saying to Africa it’s us versus you. Such actions only help to isolate us from the rest of the continent. It goes against the spirit of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

“We as Safa are saying these barbaric actions must end; and end now. We fought against apartheid because it segregated society and xenophobia has the same apartheid tendencies.”