MPS WANT WANDERERS CASE OUT OF COURT

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.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: