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World soccer governing body Fifa are funding the course as part of their development initiatives across the globe and their administration instructors Henry Tandau of Tanzania and Premier Soccer League chief executive Kenny Ndebele are conducting the course.
The course, which will be officially opened this morning, has also brought in members of staff from the association’s secretariat, Zifa provincial and regional chairpersons as well as representatives of women’s football, Five-A-Side and Beach soccer.
The National Association of Secondary Schools Heads, junior football, the referees desk are also attending the course.
Both Tandau and Ndebele declined to discuss much about the course at least until after the official opening ceremony.
But according to the programme notes for the course, the participants will during the six days of learning, be taken through the Fifa statutes, Fifa’s development programmes and initiatives around the world and a general understanding of the confederations that are affiliated to the world body.
“Fifa are providing all the course material and the participants will also cover such topics like general management, finance management, event management and management of competitions.
“A medical doctor will also present a paper on sports medicine while another paper will be on communication and marketing’’.
The key issue of club management, something that has been lacking in the country will also be tackled during the course as will be a topic on human resources and another on refereeing.
Fifa have made club licensing mandatory and it was imperative that the participants be taken through the basic requirements of effect management of clubs given that it as this stage where most of the game’s leadership cut their administrative teeth.
It has often been a huge worry that forming a football club in Zimbabwe appears so much easier than setting up a tuck shop yet most of the clubs fail to last the distance with some even collapsing after just one season on the radar in their different leagues.
That Fifa experts will also share with participants the key factors needed for one to effectively organise an event and this could help reduce the chaos that often characterises the turnstiles at local matches.
Although the Premier Soccer League has managed to attract corporate partners, the regional Division One leagues remain unbranded and that their chairmen are attending this course could bring some hope that they will emerge from the six days of class with some ideas on how to tackle the challenges they are facing in luring sponsors.
Meanwhile, long-serving Zifa councillor and former Mashonaland West province chairman Solomon Makuvaro has died.
Makuvaro died at the weekend and was buried in Chinhoyi yesterday.
Makuvaro’s death also comes barely three weeks after the death of two other Zifa councillors, Five–A–Side chairman Joseph Mabhonzo and honorary member Godfrey Vela Moyo.
Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze said in a statement last night, that the association’s board and assembly had been saddened by the news of Makuvaro’s death and described him as one of the domestic game’s father figures.
“Zifa and the entire football family grieve with the Makuvaro family following the passing on of Mr Solomon Makuvaro.
“Death stalks mortals from the womb up to the tomb.
“Baba Makuvaro was snatched from our midst and his next port of call is God’s choice.
“Football is poorer without the wise counsel of paragons of excellence of the mould of the late Makuvaro.
“He stood for truth and honesty. We urge the Makuvaro family to draw courage and solace from the warm legacy Baba Makuvaro bequeathed to all and sundry.
“Football shall always have a special seat in the hall of luminaries for him.
“May his dear soul rest in eternal peace,’’ Mashingaidze said.
Online Reporter