Times Of Swaziland: ‘FORCES’ MATTER  FALLS OUTSIDE OF MINISTRY’S SCOPE’

‘FORCES’ MATTER  FALLS OUTSIDE OF MINISTRY’S SCOPE’
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Nimrod Hlophe on 24/08/2022 08:43:00


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.