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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
PREMIER Soccer League clubs are set for another year of financial challenges after it emerged that they will have to spend more to get through the 2014 season. Resolutions passed at last Saturday’s end of season review meeting attended by all the PSL board of governors in Harare enjoin clubs to put together a policy document with requirements for the 2014 season.
Kennedy Ndebele, the PSL chief executive officer, said the resolutions are in line with Fifa’s Club Licensing System which in turn will help clubs turn professional.
“There are a number of things that were discussed and above all the clubs agreed to abide by Fifa’s Club Licensing System. Throughout the 2013 season we visited some clubs explaining to them about the developments in as far as the Club Licensing System is concerned. It is not the PSL who set the requirements but we are just pursuing what the world governing body Fifa resolved.
“These structures will help develop clubs and make them better entities with Zifa set to follow up to make sure that Premiership affiliates subscribe to that,” said Ndebele.
Clubs without proper structures will be required to spend a substantial amount in setting up football administration offices, establishing youth development programmes and employing fulltime staffers.
According to the PSL resolutions, from next season all clubs will be expected to have operational football offices manned by fulltime staff.
Among the new personnel and administrative requirements agreed upon are the recruitment of full time employees to fill the positions of General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, Finance Officer, Media Liaison Officer, Security Officer, Doctor and Physiotherapist, Head coach with a minimum of Caf C Coaching badge or licence certificate, and a Head of Youth Development Programme. These should be provided to the PSL by January 2, 2014.
Most of the clubs have been operating without a proper structure and these new requirements are likely to see institutions like Highlanders and Dynamos having to review their constitutions so that they are in line with Fifa Club Licensing expectations.
All the clubs will also be expected to provide the following to the PSL:
“All Clubs must submit a valid copy of the Club Constitution or extract from Public Register containing information on the club.
- Declaration in respect of participation in Club Competitions.
- Recognising as legally binding the statutes, rules, regulations and decisions of Fifa, Caf, Zifa and PSL.
- Acceptance of exclusive jurisdiction of Caf.
- Prohibition of recourse to ordinary courts of law.
- Participation in Caf Competitions at continental level.
- To abide by and observe club licensing regulations.
- To submit documents as complete and correct.
- Authorise the competent licensing authority to examine documents and seek information.
- Acknowledge that Caf and/or Fifa can execute spot checks.”
In addition to this, the clubs agreed to the establishment of youth development programmes that will cater for 15-19-year-olds as well as 10-14-year-olds. All clubs must submit a written youth development programme covering organisation, personnel, finance, football education, school education and medical before the season begins.
“If any club fails to fulfil the development plan agreed on, they will miss out on the development grant for their teams. We therefore encourage clubs to put their houses in order so that we move together towards developing football in Zimbabwe,” said Ndebele.
Online Reporter