The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) aimed at managing the FAZ COVID-19 testing programme in provincial leagues.
FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala and his ZMA counterpart, Masiku Phiri signed the deal for the two respective organisations which presents a comprehensive solution to the COVID-19 testing and protocols in order for football to be played in its leagues safely.
The MoU also gives a green light to the commencement of the provincial leagues which was delayed due to COVOD-19 protocols which were being finalised by the two institutions.
FAZ will take care of all costs related to all COVID-19 protocols taking into account that lower clubs are financially handicapped to finance such an undertaking.
“This we believe will continue to improve the accessibility of COVID-19 testing for footballers and other stakeholders as ZMA will also manage, organise and monitor laboratory testing and results management on behalf of the FAZ for all FAZ affiliated clubs especially those in the lower leagues,” Kashala said.
“The Association decided to partner with ZMA who will take care of medical and technical aspects of the FAZ COVID-19 Testing Programme and develop tenable solutions that will allow football to be played in conformity with the Ministry of Health public health rules and regulations as well as legislation such as Statutory Instruments number 21 and 22 of 2020.”
Kashala urged all football affiliates to join hands and fight the COVID-19 pandemic as no life is worth losing for the sake of the game.
And Phiri said ZMA was grateful to FAZ for trusting the Association in coming up with solutions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 and manage all protocols relating to the pandemic.
“The Zambia Medical Association in partnership with FAZ will be collaborating in areas that will ensure that we have a safe game under the new normal,” Phiri said.
“ZMA will provide medical expertise , oversight and services required for the FAZ COVID-19 testing programme, and using our wide membership of qualified doctors that some of them sit on regional bodies will work with FAZ.”
“We are grateful to the FAZ executive, administration and secretariat for giving confidence to the Zambia Medical Association in the wonderful game; we look forward to uninterrupted league. COVID-19 is real and we need to observe the guidelines as shared by the Ministry of Health.”
The MoU will run until 31st August, 2021.
