North West ready to host PSL matches in bio bubble

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Jul 07, 2020. 13:00

The North West province of South Africa is reportedly ready to host Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches in a ‘bio bubble’ as football authorities attempt to complete the 2019-20 season.

Absa Premiership (top flight) and GladAfrica Championship (second tier) teams have made a return to training after permission was granted by the government in the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions.

The leagues plan to complete their season in one location in a ‘bio bubble’ to minimise the risk of coronavirus transmissions and an official from the office of North West MEC Galebekwe Tlhapi, Hendrick Metsileng, said the province is ready to host this unprecedented programme.

“We are willing and ready to host PSL matches in our province‚” said Metsileng, as quoted by Times Live.

“We have given them information regarding our readiness in terms of accommodation‚ stadiums‚ training facilities and other related logistics.

“What is left is for them to come to verify information that we have given them so that they satisfy themselves.”

He added, “In terms of the facilities that we have‚ we think we will be ready to host all the 32 teams but it depends on what the PSL wants.

“If they want us to only host PSL matches‚ we can do that. If they want us to host the GladAfrica Championship matches‚ we will do that.

“We will hear from them what they want. If we can’t host the PSL‚ then we will definitely host NFD matches but if they want to bring all the matches to the North West‚ then we have enough facilities to host them.

“We will be able to handle the workload that will be there from the players‚ officials and other related logistics.”

Metsileng explained that four stadiums can be used: “They (PSL) approached Royal Bafokeng Sports last week because they wanted to check if the Royal Bafokeng Stadium is available to host matches.

“The next step for the PSL is that if they are happy with the information that has been provided to them‚ they must come to the province and have discussions with us.

“That is the next step that we are awaiting. Our Covid-19 cases are low and we will not be having fans inside the stadiums.

“With regards to training venues‚ I believe that the PSL has identified a number of schools that have facilities that can be used as training venues.

“The Royal Bafokeng Stadium can host matches tomorrow but we will have to do some work on Olympia Park Stadium‚ Moruleng Stadium and Mogwase Stadium.”