Times Of Swaziland: MPS WANT WANDERERS CASE OUT OF COURT

MPS WANT WANDERERS CASE OUT OF COURT
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Mengameli Mabuza on 08/11/2024 09:19:00


LOBAMBA- Sifiso Shabalala, the Dvokodvweni MP and Chairperson of the Parliament
Sports Portfolio Committee, has proposed a football indaba.
The Member of Parliament (MP) has identified the indaba as a potential solution
for the Eswatini Football Association (EFA). He emphasised the urgent need to
assess the current state of the league, particularly in light of ongoing court
cases involving football clubs that have left the sport’s future in jeopardy.
“It is essential to convene key stakeholders, including the minister,
principal secretary, and members of the EFA, to address these issues and find a
sustainable way forward for our league,” he stated.
Discussions
MP Shabalala recognised the critical role of the committee in facilitating
discussions that could yield tangible solutions to the challenges facing the
sport. He underscored the committee’s responsibility to lead a productive
dialogue aimed at ensuring the long-term stability of the league. “What is
causing the delay in the Sports Bill’s completion and presentation to
Parliament for deliberation? We need to act swiftly to ensure this legislation
is passed in a timely manner to tackle the challenges confronting the sports
sector,” he remarked.
In response to various ministerial submissions, Jane Simelane, the Acting
Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs addressed the progress of the
Sports Bill and the delays in stadium upgrades. She reassured the committee that
the Sports Bill is in progress and will be presented to Parliament for
deliberation soon.  The minister further explained that the stadium upgrade has
faced delays due to funding being provided in quarterly instalments, which has
extended the project timeline.  The minister is expected to provide written
responses to all outstanding questions.
Decisive
Meanwhile, Madala Mhlanga, the Mhlangatane MP, has urged the EFA to take swift
and decisive action to resolve the ongoing legal dispute involving Manzini
Wanderers. Speaking during yeserday’s portfolio committee debate on the
ministry’s second quarter performance report for the 2024/2025 financial year,
Mhlanga stressed the urgency of addressing this long-standing issue. “From my
perspective, the protracted dispute surrounding Manzini Wanderers requires
immediate intervention from the EFA in accordance with FIFA regulations. The
appropriate forum for resolving such disputes is not the courts but the
dedicated football tribunal established by FIFA. It is imperative that the EFA
acts swiftly to ensure that football-related issues are resolved within the
established framework,” he asserted.