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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
RUNNERS-UP in the 2022 Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League championship ZPC Hwange, Bosso 90 and Casmyn were conspicuous by their absence at a National Division One League consultative meeting held on Saturday in Bulawayo.
Fifteen out of the 18 Southern Region Division One Soccer League clubs met Zifa chief operation officer Xolisani Gwesela for a briefing on the setting up of a National Division One League that will be a feeder to the Premier Soccer League, as provided for in the Zifa constitution.
Gwesela described the meeting as a success as clubs got an opportunity to state their views on the National Division One League.
“The majority of the clubs from the Southern Region Division One Soccer League attended the National League consultative meeting.
It is good to note that this was purely a consultative meeting, as the clubs who are key stakeholders have to be involved in coming up with suggestions on how to implement the National League which is enshrined in the constitution.
Their contributions have been noted and will be considered in the National League process. Similar consultative visits will be made to the Central, Eastern and Northern Regions,” Gwesela said.
Establishing the National Division One League is widely viewed as a good development for the growth of the Zimbabwean league.
Gwesela, who is responsible for Zifa’s day-to-day running of communication, competitions, marketing and club licensing activities said; “The ultimate goal is to improve the country’s football and the National League, which is provided for in the constitution is meant to cover the developmental gap.
Having a National League will lead to a strong and competitive PSL and ultimately the national teams will benefit.”
The concept of the second-tier national league, which is provided for in the Zifa constitution, was first mooted and adopted into the constitution in 2013 but successive administrations at the association have not been able to implement it.
The introduction of the National Division One League will see two clubs relegated from the Premier Soccer League at the end of the season instead of four.
Presently, each region — Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern — promotes a team each into the PSL. There have been arguments that more competitive leagues in the world have one promotional division contributing two clubs like the English Premiership and the Spanish La Liga.
Having at least 64 teams contributing four to the Premiership, has been viewed as one of the major reasons that have weakened the top flight league.
The tally of at least 64 teams represents a potential four divisions, meaning clubs that should be playing Area Zone football find themselves at a higher league than reality. — @ZililoR
Online Reporter