Chronicle EditorLAST week the Zifa Assembly adopted a new constitution which stipulates that the Zifa president should have five O-levels as a prerequisite for the position.
This move has stirred up a lot of debate and mixed feelings among football stakeholders in the country. While some have applauded the move saying it is a step in the right direction, others have questioned whether it will improve the running of the association and football in general.
Zifa has been embroiled in a lot of controversies and scandals over the years, and it is understandable that stakeholders are looking for ways to improve the governance and management of the association. However, we cannot help but wonder if this new requirement for the president to have five O-levels is the solution we need.
It’s important to note that all previous Zifa presidents who have held office in this millennium had five O-levels, yet we have seen the association going south. Mere academic qualifications do not necessarily guarantee good leadership and management skills. Therefore, it is unlikely that this new requirement will make a significant difference in the running of Zifa.
It’s quite puzzling that Zifa only sees the need for its president and two vice-presidents to possess five O-levels when there are no prerequisite qualifications for the 78 delegates who will vote them in. It then begs the question — does the Zifa presidium want to lead a bunch of structures led by so-called “illiterate” administrators?
It’s also worth noting that the majority of football administrators in the country come from grassroots structures and do not necessarily have academic qualifications. They have been able to contribute immensely to the development of football in the country despite their lack of academic qualifications. Therefore, it is unfair to discredit them as “illiterate” and deny them the opportunity to participate in the governance and management of football in the country.
Zifa must focus on more important issues that affect football in our country, such as infrastructure development, player welfare, and the grassroot development. These factors will have a direct impact on the quality of football and the success of the national teams. Having a Zifa president with five O-levels will not necessarily improve the standards of local football.
There are many successful leaders and managers in the country who do not necessarily possess academic qualifications but have been able to lead successful businesses and organisations. Therefore, it is unfair to limit the pool of potential candidates for the Zifa presidency based on academic qualifications alone.
The new requirement is unlikely to make a significant difference in the running of Zifa and may end up limiting potential candidates for the presidency. Football administrators should be judged on their track record, experience, and leadership skills, and not just academic qualifications.
Online Reporter