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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Sevens rugby committee say the Government has set strict conditions for the West African teams coming for the Africa Cup amid global fears over the spread over the deadly Ebola virus.
Sevens committee chairman Donald “Brasco” Mangenje told The Herald that they have been in talks with both the Sport, Arts and Culture Ministry, through the Sports Commission and the Health Ministry who have set conditions for West African teams to be allowed into this country.

Exactly a month from now, Zimbabwe will host the Sevens Africa Cup and West African countries, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria, will feature in the 12-team competition.

“We have received conditions from the Ministry of Health with regards the teams that are coming from West Africa and the teams from that part of the continent will first have to get medical clearance from their Governments stating that the travelling party was cleared of the Ebola virus.

“This does not end there as those who would have travelled to Zimbabwe for the tournament will be monitored by our health experts during their arrival and stay here and we are sure these measures will help us have a safe tournament.

“We have since communicated this information to the respective teams and unions and they have agreed to the conditions so, for now, we can say all scheduled teams are coming for the competition,” said Mangenje.

Since winning the bid to host the tournament a month ago, the Sevens committee has raised about half of the required US$100 000 and Mangenje is hopeful they will be able to raise the balance.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union only received around US$45 000 for the hosting of the tournament, which Mangenje says will only take care between 30 to 40 percent of costs.

“So far things have gone well, we have received about 50 percent of the required US$100 00 and this is not only in cash but also in kind as well but we still have a long way to go.

“We can’t really get excited that we will get all we need even after considering that we have raised about 50 percent of our budgetary needs in a few weeks and we still have a month to go as it is dangerous to count our chickens before the eggs hatch.

“We have had a lot of meetings with the various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, Sports Commission and sponsors but as a committee we meet every Wednesday for updates and review,” said Mangenje.

The last time Zimbabwe hosted an international Sevens tournament was in March at Harare Sports Club.

This time the committee wants to host the tournament on the Sports Club cricket field. “We are in talks with the cricket authorities to have the two-day tournament on the traditional cricket ground.

“We are positive we will come out with something good because we have also used the same field in past tournaments,” said Mangenje.

Teams
South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, Zimbabwe and Tunisia.