THE Footballer’s Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) says it will launch a pension scheme aimed at assisting football players when they retire, treating injuries or paying for expenses should they die. SPORTS REPORTER
In the past, footballers have found themselves in financial difficulties even though some of them would have made a lot of money during playing days.
FUZ secretary-general Paul Gundani spoke to Southern Eye Sport on the pension scheme yesterday.
“The reason why we decided to have this pension scheme is because you find that when players retire they are unable to sustain themselves since they would not have saved for the future.
“We approached Premier Soccer League clubs so that we could get permission to talk to their players. For now it’s not yet compulsory for players to join the pension scheme. But we want a situation where should a player die, the family could get a stipend up to 12 months or a lump player salary. This is also necessary when players are injured, so we want an ill-health fund until they die,” he said.
Gundani said they had travelled to Bulawayo, Zvishavane, Mutare, Kariba and Chiredzi to talk to players on the importance of the pension scheme. Players could make a minimum contribution of $25 every month.
