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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
ZIFA and Premier Soccer League (PSL) medical committee chairperson Edward Chagonda has said they will start training lower division teams and their medics to meet minimum Covid-19 protocols before they can restart games.

Lower division leagues have not seen any action since sporting activities were halted in March 2020.
However, the Government has since given all sporting activities the green light to resume, albeit under strict Covid-19 protocols.

Speaking to ZTN, Chagonda said people must get vaccinated if normal sport is to return.

“I think it’s very clear Covid-19 has had a terrible impact on sport. Football is one of the industries that thrive in a healthy nation. I will speak on football because this is my terrain. We have trained the PSL guys to follow the proper guidelines. After PSL we are going to be training Zifa lower division leagues and all their medics, probably starting this week so that we comply with the minimal requirements, said Chagonda.

“What is critical is that we should demystify all myths surrounding Covid-19. People must just get vaccinated,” he said.

On fans returning to the stadia, Chagonda was adamant that vaccination is the only way to go.

“People should be vaccinated if we are to return to normal sport. If we are to have fans back in the stadium, people need to be vaccinated. You look at European countries and how they are enjoying, we could do that if we reach herd immunity.

“If we continue being sceptical with things like vaccination then we are not going anywhere. Firstly, we want to have players and administrators vaccinated and we are almost at 99 percent with the PSL. Once we are vaccinated, we will then lobby the Government to say this is where we are and take it from there,” he said.

The PSL is expected to start at the end of the month, while it is not yet clear when lower division football will return.
However, the regional bodies have been calling on their affiliates to get vaccinated. —  @innocentskizoe