PSL boss hails African Soccer Conference

He said there was so much to learn about the game, its administration and organisation.

 

The veteran administrator who served his apprenticeship at Highlanders, was among a host of other Zimbabweans who attended the Johannesburg gathering.

Soccer personalities from Africa and overseas attended the event.

“It was an educative gathering. It covered so many aspects of the game and was quite interactive for the participants. I liked it and learnt a thing or two that I hope will help the game,” said Ndebele.

Among the high-profile people at the conference was Jerome Champagne the former Fifa general-secretary who served under Sepp Blatter.

The Fifa regional development officer Ashford Mamelodi was in attendance as was South Africa’s Danny Jordan, Cosafa’s Sue Destombes and South African Football Association chief executive officer Robin Petersen.

Stanley Matthews, the South African PSL chief executive officer and Joop Lensen of the Dutch association also attended.

The Football Association of Zambia was represented by its chief executive officer George Kasangele.

From overseas was Liverpool’s head of partnerships, Sunderland’s chief executive and Gary Rathbone of Supersport.

The PSL president Twine Phiri led Zimbabwean delegation which included board member development Cuthbert Chitima, the FC Platinum duo of Tadson Zhou and Philemon Muvengwa, Miriam Sibanda and William Mutekede of Northern Region side Twalumba FC.

FA Cup sponsors Mbada Diamond Holdings were represented by Lloyd Mutsata.

The event ended on Friday.

Such symposiums help administrators share ideas of how to tackle common problems, bring new ideas about how to assert soccer as the world’s number one sport.

PSL boss Phiri said attending such soccer gatherings was the way forward. He said it was necessary for the sport’s growth.

“It is a good forum for the inter-exchange of ideas. We gained as Zimbabwe through participation and we will share with colleagues so that we continue to grow the PSL and the game here,” said the soft-spoken Caps United majority shareholder.