Lack of registrations delays the start of the JOGABETS league and "Liberta" Valentine's Day

Love can wait, but bureaucracy can't. The start of the 5th edition of the Jogabets League, initially scheduled for this Saturday (February 14th) – Valentine's Day –, has been postponed. The decision, announced this Thursday by the Maputo City Football Association (AFCM), is due to the lack of registration of players from the participating clubs.

According to official statement number 009 from AFCM, received by our newsroom, the competition, which brings together 13 clubs from the capital, was scheduled to begin on Valentine's Day. However, the absence of athlete registration processes made the kick-off impossible.

Therefore, the governing body of football in the nation's capital decided to move the event to the following weekend. The new dates are set for February 21st and 22nd, Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The AFCM also established a deadline for the regularization of documentation: clubs have until next Wednesday, February 18th, to register their players, with no possibility of further postponement.

Thus, thanks to the slow administrative procedures, Valentine's Day is "free" for the athletes. Instead of their debut on the field, the players will have extra time to continue their physical and tactical preparation, and may even use the date to celebrate with their partners.

While the passion for football can wait, love can be celebrated this Saturday. The ball will only start rolling again in the Jogabets League next weekend, provided that, this time, the clubs comply with the regulations and register within the new deadline stipulated by AFCM.