Fifty-two hours, more than two days —that’s how long it took the Zimbabwe’s U-15 football team to reach Walvis Bay, Namibia in yet another example of how the welfare of player being taken for granted in this country
Children as young as 13 and 14, entrusted to the care of Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), were left to face unimaginable hardship.
The team departed Harare at 7 pm on Tuesday, expecting a reasonable travel time. Instead, they faced a never-ending odyssey. As they arrived late last night after 10pm.
Meanwhile, ZIFA officials slumbered peacefully in their comfortable beds, oblivious.
The young athletes suffered in cramped bus seats, with no ablution facilities. Their basic needs ignored. No proper bath since Tuesday. Nature’s calls became agonizing dilemmas.
As dawn broke on match day, exhaustion and desperation clung to the team. Kickoff loomed at 11am. How will they perform? One can only hope they have qualified and well educated beings on sports recovery to try assist the athletes to be in a better competing level because with such Travelling the young boys and girls are already trailing in each and every match
This is no mere oversight; it is systemic neglect. Children exploited for football’s sake. Their well-being sacrificed.
ZIFA’s actions demand accountability. How could adults abandon minors to such suffering? The world watches, aghast.
Justice must be served. Protect our children. Ensure their safety and dignity this should not ever happen again
