PSL boss warns new clubs

Sport
THE Premier Soccer League (PSL) has issued a stern warning to the four newly-promoted teams not to cause any trouble when the league season starts next month.

THE Premier Soccer League (PSL) has issued a stern warning to the four newly-promoted teams not to cause any trouble when the league season starts next month.

HENRY MHARA Sports Reporter

PSL chairman Twine Phiri (pictured) issued the warning during on the opening of a two-day induction course for Whawha FC, Flame Lilly FC, Tsholotsho FC and Dongo Sawmill, who are beginning life in the top flight.

Chapungu and ZPC Kariba, who were promoted into the league last season, but could not be inducted that time, are attending.

Coming from a season blighted by numerous cases of indiscipline, what is of particular concern to the PSL is that clubs to ensure the image of the sponsors, Delta Beverages, is protected at all costs.

The course is being conducted by PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele, who is a CAF and Fifa instructor.

PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele
PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele

“Coming from the lower leagues to the top league there are a lot of changes that you will face,” Phiri said.

“You have to make sure that you fulfil our fixtures and you should be there on time. We should not only thrive to respect ourselves and each other, but respect the contracts with our sponsors, that’s the major thing we must respect. It’s not easy to find a sponsor.

“The moment you do good things at your clubs it’s easy for you to lure your own sponsor.”

He added: “Our economy, as you are aware, is not well. We are living in a situation where things are very hard to come by and we just pray that we will be able to finish the season.

“Fortunately for us, we already have sponsors whom we should all take care of. When they come to your games, please try and make sure those people are respected. You should try and make sure that whatever you learn here is implemented.”

The PSL has said the league season will start on March 7 and the fixtures are expected to be released anytime next week.

Phiri urged promoted teams, together with the rest of the clubs, to respect the media who help promote the PSL brand to the rest of the world. The relationship though, Phiri added, should be reciprocal.

“We are trying to make our league the best in Africa,” he said.

“You should respect our media. They are the face of the public. They are the guys who disseminate our information to the public so we should be able to give them all the information they might require and to provide the facilities they might need to use.

“You must make sure to give them facilities where there is enough Internet services so that information gets to the people when things happen. To our members of the media, you should sympathise with our new teams. These people are still learning. Yes, let’s criticise them, but we should remember they are still learning and we should be very patient with them.”