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Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FIFA Head of Development Programmes in Africa Solomon Mudege yesterday said the world football governing body is behind the efforts by ZIFA to revive the local game and make Zimbabwe competitive again on the global stage.
However, Mudege was a bit concerned Zimbabwe was lagging behind especially in embracing Club Licensing, which is one of FIFA’s blueprints for football development.
Mudege, who is one of the experts dispatched from Zurich to conduct a two-day club professionalisation and management workshop in Harare, told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the foundation of growth rests in solid structures underpinned by the FIFA’s Club Licensing programme.
“I think Club Licencing plays an important role as do other aspects which are focused on professionalising football. Even getting the licence to play in the CAF Champions League is something where you have to look at the Club Licencing.
“They look at all things such as payables; have you paid all your players as you’re supposed to? So, it leads to increased professionalism. Some countries are doing it well and expanding also to women.
“So, I think the uptake of Club Licencing is something that has been understood and even here other aspects linked to which are associated Club Licencing such as safer stadiums.
“I think you’ve had a workshop here on the safe stadium initiative. Those are also being emphasised, safeguarding and training of people to acknowledge that we need to have a safe football environment for everyone.
“I think we are making progress and we really are interested in ZIFA catching up and also implementing the same initiatives here,” said Mudege.
He was also impressed by the steps being taken by the Nqobile Magwizi-led ZIFA executive committee, which has realised the need to go back to the grassroots to revamp the game.
Mudege emphasised the need to integrate junior development and schools programme in the grand scheme. He said FIFA was strongly behind the efforts.
“ZIFA has already started working on the football in schools programme and they’re doing very well in terms of the distribution of footballs,” said Mudege.
Mudege, who is Zimbabwean by birth, is among the FIFA experts conducting a two-day African edition of the essential course in club management which ends today in Harare.
The FIFA delegation also includes the Lead FIFA Regional Office for Africa David Fani and FIFA Consultant Marcos Pelegrin from Spain.
The programme has brought together football administrators and club executives from the Premier Soccer League, the Zimbabwe Women’s Football League, as well as representatives from regional Division One leagues.
Key topics under deliberation during the two days include Strategic Planning, Governance, Finance, Club Licensing, and Commercial & Marketing.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter
This Mudege guy should not “THINK” if he was dispatched to come and implement actions to improve football in this country. Using the expression “I think” implies that he is providing personal opinions and not the real action which he has been sent to do. He should clearly state what must be done to obtain intended results. If his personal opinions are in line with the intended objectives, that’s OK but he cannot fly all the way from Zurich to come and “think” about what should be done to improve football in Zimbabwe.