‘FORCES’ MATTER FALLS OUTSIDE OF MINISTRY’S SCOPE’

MBABANE – Surely, the arm of the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs is not short to save, nor its ear too dull to hear.

This tweaked wise saying of the Bible best describes the response of the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs on the matter of the ‘Big Four’ against uniformed teams, which they believe are destroying their teams by recruiting their players. Yesterday, it was widely reported that Mbabane Swallows, Mbabane Highlanders, Moneni Pirates and Manzini Wanderers who are often referred as the ‘Big Four’ mobilised for the removal of the forces teams from the Premier League, on grounds of unfair advantage over the rest of the teams. They resolved to petition government in a bid to realise their dreams. Yesterday, this publication sought the sports ministry’s reaction to the unexpected developments. The ministry stated succinctly clear in its response on the matter that through its previous different forums, they stated that the issue of uniformed teams fell outside of its duties.

Rightful

The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Communications Officer Sibongiseni Zondi, said this matter was purely a football issue, which they felt  should exhaust all the rightful football channels before it could be considered for the ministry’s attention. Zondi also mentioned yesterday, that so far the ministry had not received any official correspondence on the matter and expressed the ministry’s willingness to engage on the matter. “The ministry operates on an open door policy and as such, is always open to engaging with relevant stakeholders on pertinent and relevant issues using proper channels,” the communications officer said. Swallows,  Highlanders, Wanderers and Pirates’ representatives held a meeting two days ago. Under the banner of Simunye (we are one) concept, they proposed to seek audience with the ministry on the issue of the uniformed teams. They feel government can also help them with mobilising for sponsorships.

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