All set for Chipiku League launch
Central Region Football Association (CRFA) will relaunch the Chipiku Stores Premier League on Saturday at Dimba ground in Mchinji where Extreme FC will face St. Gabriel.
This follows a meeting CRFA held with sponsors on Monday.
CRFA general secretary Bernard Chiwiruwiru Harawa said the sponsors have committed to continue the sponsorship.
“We are happy that Chipiku Stores has once again committed to sponsor the league. It’s something we are very appreciative of considering the economic situation as a result of Covid-19. They have shown that they are true partners in sports development in the region,” he said.
Harawa said they have communicated to all teams to adhere to Covid-19 guidelines at all match venues.
He said as CRFA, they have made it a priority to enforce Covid-19 guidelines so as to be in line with the conditions set by the Presidential Task Force on Covid 19.
“In total 250 people will be allowed inside and each team will be allocated 20 supporters. We have been in touch with both teams to discourage their supporters from trekking to the venue. The health of the players, officials and the fans is our priority,” said Harawa.
Extreme FC chairperson Prosper Chisale said his team is ready to start the league.
“We have been waiting for a long time. It’s good news that now we are rolling out. Our opponents are a good team and we are not underrating them. But our target is TNM Super League promotion and to achieve that we have to start with a win,” he said.
Chisale also committed to ensure that Covid-19 guidelines are followed.
“We will have sanitisers at every entry point and inside the stadium. We will also ensure that everyone, apart from players, masks up,” he said.
St. Gabriel team manager Ringo Kanshulu is optimistic of a positive result on Saturday.
“We have played them twice already and on both occasions we drew. It’s a game that we are taking very seriously. We are rivals and pride is at stake. But we have prepared well and are looking forward to win,” he said.
