Africa-Press – Eswatini. LOBAMBA Regional Football League clubs are challenging the kick-off of the 2021/22 season.
The clubs have since reported the Hhohho Regional Football Association to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) through a petition signed by 18 teams both from A Division and B Division, which is in possession of this publication.
The current HRFA calendar will only stage first round games following its late commencement about three weeks ago (the weekend of March 26-27).
The clubs have stated that it was impossible to compete this season due to lack of sponsorship and that they last played in 2020, so it was impossible to assemble teams for the current financial year.
They cited the effects of the novel COVID-19 pandemic, which affected most clubs as owners faced difficulties in running teams.
The aggrieved clubs argue that they were not educated on COVID-19 protocols on football resumption.
“We currently have no sponsorship agreements with any companies and, therefore, it is wrong to restart our football matches and incur expenses but gain nothing at the end of the season. As Lobamba we have played two successive seasons based on the thought that our league was sponsored but received nothing at the end of the day,” reads part of the petition.
The on-going league is being played by eight teams in the A Division and three in the B Division, which were registered before the deadline on April 1.
“The clubs did not have enough time to prepare and face financial hardships due to the effects of COVID-19.
Teams also lack knowledge on the required COVID-19 football standards because they were not educated,” reads the petition.
locked
Efforts to reach EFA Chief Executive Officer Frederick Mngomezulu proved futile as he was reportedly locked in a meeting for the better part of yesterday.
HRFA Secretary Nkosingiphile Shongwe said they recently received a copy of the petition from the complaining clubs.
“We did receive a copy of the petition and we have also met some of the clubs from the Lobamba zone on quite a number of issues on two occasions. We did inform them about the dates of the new season kick-off and further advised them about the registration deadline,” he said.
Shongwe further stated that the current league had eight teams.
“Only the eight registered teams from the zone are playing in the current league. We are willing to meet Lobamba teams concerning their grievances,” he said.
Regional football in the country has since resumed after a two-year absence due to COVID-19.
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