PSL poised for better times

Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
PREMIER Soccer League clubs, stung by constant criticism over the way they conduct their business, have come up with a raft of measures aimed at turning the top-flight into an attractive brand that angles towards professionalism.

The country’s top clubs met in Harare for a two-day workshop that ended yesterday during which they tabled a host of governance issues that have negatively affected their operations every season.

They wound up their workshop to turn their attention to the start of the 2018 Castle Lager season, which bursts into life this afternoon with six matches lined up across the country, including the start of champions FC Platinum’s title defence against ZPC Kariba at the National Sports Stadium.

ZPC Kariba have to use the National Sports Stadium owing to the failure by the municipal authorities in the resort town to upgrade Nyamhunga in time to meet basic Premiership standards.

They are not the only club affected by poor facilities at their home venues and the issue of stadium infrastructure was among the topics covered during the workshop.

ZIFA, through the First Instance Body, have also commendably led the way in the implementation of Club Licensing requirements, which are key in strengthening the domestic football brand.

The two-day workshop attracted the club presidents who form the PSL’s policy-making body – the board of governors – and the chief executives of the top sides.

After two days of frank discussions laced with presentations from selected experts on some key topics, the clubs’ chiefs left the venue of the indaba seemingly determined to turn around the elite league.

Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Kazembe Kazembe had set the tone when he implored the Premiership to lead the way in creating a conducive environment in order to attract diverse and sound sponsorship deals from corporate entities.