Warriors' soccer venues debate rages on

The Zimbabwe Football Association says they are keen and committed to staging international matches at other venues outside Harare, but the desire to do so is being hampered by severe financial constraints.

The comments come in the wake of the recent concerns raised by the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart who communicated his apprehension through correspondence to the Sport and Recreation Commission.

Senator Coltart expressed worry over what he deems as an inequitable distribution of international match, manifested through the fact that the Warriors have not played outside of Harare for some time, thus depriving football supporters across the country of the opportunity to watch the national team in action.

ZIFA President Cuthbert Dube responded to the Minister's concerns by saying the football motherbody has nothing against staging international matches outside Harare, but are being pinned back by severe financial limitations.

"We would love to have matches at other venues but there's a lot that involved in staging matches outside Harare. People should realise that if teams come they need to be flown to these venues but we don't have the resources to do so.

"We are actually reeling from lack of funding so it becomes difficult for bus to take matches outside Harare. If we receive funding from the ministry then other venues will host international matches," said Dube.

Minister Coltart last week issued a directive for national sporting events to be held across the country with effect from the 1st of next month.

The debate of venues only in Harare being used to host international matches has raged on for some time with some questioning why the capital city is enjoying the monopoly of staging national team matches.

Others blame ZIFA for demonstrating a lack of enterprise in generating resources to sustain its operations and spread matches beyond Harare, highlighting the need for the football motherbody to first put its house in order before going around with begging bowls in hand.

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