* Mandatory cooling breaks around 25th minute in first half and the 70th; availability of drinking water; and medical preparedness
* All clubs, match commissioners and referees to cooperate in implementing the precautionary measures throughout the period of high temperatures
By Duncan Mlanjira
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has issued an advisory to all clubs, match officials, players, fans and all other football stakeholders to take precautionary measures in view of the heatwave currently being experienced in the country.
Thus to safeguard the health and safety of players and match officials, FAM strongly advices on:
* Mandatory cooling breaks: match officials must ensure that cooling breaks are provided in both halves, preferably in the 25th minute and 70th, with additional measures taken where necessary, depending on the prevailing weather conditions;
* Availability of drinking water: Clubs must provide sufficient drinking water for players and technical officials before, during and after matches to maintain proper hydration; and
* Medical preparedness: Match organisers must ensure that medical personnel and first aid facilities are readily available to respond promptly to heat-related emergencies.
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FAM emphasises that “the safety and wellbeing of players, match officials and supporters must remain a priority at all times”.
“All clubs, match commissioners and referees to cooperate in implementing the precautionary measures throughout the period of high temperatures.
“Football safety remains everyone’s responsibility,” stresses the alert issued this morning ahead of this afternoon’s FDH Bank Premiership match between Ekhaya FC and Blue Eagles, kicking off at Mpira Stadium from 15h00 instead of the usual 14h30.
Ekhaya 7th on the log table with 22 points, 12 behind Blue Eagles, who are on 3rd place with 34 points.
Blue Eagles are one point behind runners-up Mighty Wanderers, who meet 13th-placed Karonga United (17 points) on Sunday away at Karonga Stadium.
Leaders Nyasa Big Bullets, who have 36 points, will host 11th placed Civil Service United (21pts) on Saturday at Mpira Stadium.
On 4th place are Silver Strikers with 32 points, who are hosting Kamuzu Barracks (14th/13pts) at Silver Stadium on Saturday.
Masters FC, who are 5th with 25 points are away in Karonga to be welcomed by Chitipa United, who are placed on 6th place with 24 points.
Ekhaya share 22 points with 8th-placed LUANAR Mitundu and Red Lions on 9th. LUANAR Mitundu are up against rock bottom of the table MAFCO (13pts) at Dedza Stadium tomorrow while Red Lions will be at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday to be hosted by another relegation-threatened side, Creck Sporting, who are 15th also with 13 points.
Placed on 12th place with 19 points, Dedza Dynamos are hosting 10th-placed Moyale at Dedza Stadium.
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