Home | Sports | ‘CRUISER’ HELPS ‘BIRDS’ EVADE E25 000 CAF FINE

‘CRUISER’ HELPS ‘BIRDS’ EVADE E25 000 CAF FINE

Font size: Decrease font Enlarge font

BIG BEND – Local sport has a messiah! From an ex-footballer, police officer to politics where he spent his first five years as Minister of Sports, Culture, and Youth Affairs, David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala is passionate about sport – any that is as he has tried by all means to attend to all, unconditionally.


He might have failed to get the Somhlolo National Stadium refurbished to a high profile 18 000-seater last year with government having approved E450m for it, but he still has not turned his back on football despite blaming it for that failed project which would have finished last month.
He has come to the rescue of Mbabane Swallows who faced further CAF restrictions and consequentially a fine of not less than E25 000 as their optional host venue, Mavuso Sports Centre, was found to have no anti-doping room as specified by FIFA for all international competitions.


“The minister really displayed his love and affection for sports as he assisted us in a big way to sort out this issue. We are really grateful for what he has done,’’ said the red and white giants’ General Manager Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane when questioned about the imminent fine by CAF if by Tuesday, the day they host Angola’s Club Desportivo Agosto at 3pm in the TOTAL CAF Champions League first leg of Group D, there would be no compliance.
He explained that they had been running around trying to find a solution with the relevant stakeholders and Ngcamphalala turned out to be just the person they sought in this great time of need, given the high travelling expenses and preparation for the games already.


“He even offered us transport to move the anti-doping equipment. We did not expect him to go to these lengths hence we well and truly owe him our gratitude,’’ he said.
Contacted yesterday, Ngcamphalala said every Swazi should be able assist Swallows in any way possible. He said the team was representing the whole country in Africa hence the need for everyone to play a part.
“I will meet them on Monday and will be on hand to provide further assistance if need be,” Ngcamphalala said.


CAF requires the host team to play in stadiums that have a doping area so it could carry out random tests on players as outlined by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Under normal circumstances, Swallows would host at Somhlolo National Stadium. A CAF inspection done ahead of the group stage games kick-off failed the venue, declaring its dressing rooms and floodlights a ‘health hazard’ as well as not fit to host games.
Last year, CAF declared the ‘No Man’s Land’ at the stadium as a threat to life and banned anyone from occupying it during its games. Above are some of the expected equipment in an anti-doping room;

Comments (0 posted):

Post your comment comment

Please enter the code you see in the image: