Zim’s modern premiership turns 25

Fungai Muderere .
THE countryaï¿½ï¿½s modern topflight football league will next year celebrate its silver jubilee (25th anniversary).The Premier Soccer League (PSL) was founded in 1992. So far the league has had a good run enjoying great sponsorship and partnerships with Delta Beverages, Supersport, NetOne, OK, BancABC and Mbada Diamonds.

It came to life when clubs were not happy with the football mother body Zifaaï¿½ï¿½s levies and funding of football clubs.

aï¿½?Next year PSL will be celebrating its 25th anniversary after making a number of landmark achievements and producing a number of role models,aï¿½? said PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele.

The league has over the years produced esteemed administrators that include the late Morrison Sifelani aï¿½ï¿½ the first chairman of the league-Rafiq Khan, Wyatt Mpofu, Tendai Madzorera, Chris Sibanda and Mwandibhuya Mutepfa.

Some of the founding administrators went on to serve well at Zifa.

Players such as ex-Highlanders eccentric goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini, Costa Nhamoinesu, Honour Gombami, former AmaZulu duo of Esrom Nyandoro, Vusa aï¿½?Sgcebheaï¿½? Nyoni, Cephas Chimedza, Nyasha Mushekwi, Washington Arubi and Willard Katsande electrified the league before going international.

The countryaï¿½ï¿½s modern day league has also been home to consistent and naturally gifted players like Ronald aï¿½?Gidizaaï¿½? Sibanda, Johannes aï¿½?Tshisaaï¿½? Ngodzo, Murape Murape, ex-Hwange goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda and Mthulisi Maphosa to mention but a few.

Respected match officials that include Felix Tangawarima, Thomas Khumalo and Brighton Mudzamiri have done well on the local football scene in the process being called for international assignments.

Ndebele said subject to approval of board of governors, they would have an eventful calendar from the pre-season to 22 December 2017.

aï¿½?There will not be mere celebrations. We will try to market the products of the league. We will also take time to say thank you to our stakeholders (sponsors, media, affiliates and fans) who have worked with us so well. Therefore, the planning should start now. A full plan of the events will be presented to the board and our aim will be to generate revenue, set benchmarks for the future and encourage the spirit of fair play.aï¿½?

The PSL has evolved to be professional and responsible for the development of the game of football.
Highlandersaï¿½ï¿½ Peter Dube is the current board chairman of PSL.