Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
THE Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has taken a major step towards modernising the administration of the local game after hosting the first-ever FIFA Club Management course in Harare this Thursday.
The two-day course has drawn participants from Premier Soccer League clubs, the Women’s Premier Soccer League, and lower division teams.
The programme is only the second of its kind in Africa after being piloted in Angola last year.
It focuses on key pillars of modern football administration such as strategic planning, financial management, marketing, governance, and club licensing, essential elements in aligning Zimbabwean football with international standards.
The course is being led by a team of FIFA experts, including Marcos Pelegrin, formerly with La Liga; Solomon Mudege, who is handling governance modules; and Davis Fani, the FIFA Lead for Africa.
The Zimbabwe Football Association believes the capacity building for club administrators is for sustainable football structures and improving competitiveness on and off the field.
“This is a watershed moment. We are not here for just another workshop, but to shape the future of Zimbabwean football. Success on the pitch is planned and deliberate. We want club leaders who are well capacitated because good planning helps players thrive,” ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi stated.
FIFA officials have commended ZIFA for prioritising education and professional development within the game.
“We want to commend your mother body for making capacity building a priority. When we last visited, there was already a strong commitment to train administrators. We’re happy to see that realised, and as FIFA, we aim to help clubs manage themselves better to achieve long-term success,” Fani said.
The FIFA Club Management course ends this Friday, with more capacity-building programmes set to follow in November as part of ongoing efforts to professionalise football administration in Zimbabwe.
