ZIFA sets five ‘O’ levels requirement, women’s quotas for its elections

HARARE – The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has proposed to introduce a minimum academic qualification of five ‘Ordinary’ Levels as well as gender balance for its next elections.

The proposed development is enshrined in the new statues drafted by the FIFA appointed ZIFA Normalisation Committee (NC), currently overseeing operations at the football federation.

“All members of the Executive Committee shall have passed a minimum of five O-Level subjects (Education level) or an equivalent educational level,” reads part of the draft statutes proposed by the NC.

The proposal is yet to be ratified for implementation by ZIFA members who hold the constitutional right to elect their desired leadership.

Whether aspiring presidents, vice presidents, executive committee members would “need to hold a minimum of five ‘O’ level subjects or an equivalent academic qualification” to contest for posts in the upcoming elections, will be known after a review by ZIFA members.

Reviewing of statutes is a democratic process that ensures ZIFA members have a say in the qualifications they deem important for their leaders.

Furthermore, the ZIFA NC’s proposed statutes that are still under review, also advocates for a review of the composition of the executive committee.

The NC recommended a 11 member board, with three slots reserved for female candidates only.

Additionally, the NC proposed that all executive committee members must be Zimbabwean citizens with a minimum of three years of active involvement in football in the last ten years.

Integrity tests for candidates will involve police clearances to ensure that they do not have any criminal record.

ZIFA is set to hold its elections after the adoption of all legal instruments including the constitution and the electoral code by the ZIFA council.

At the moment, the election timeline is yet to be confirmed.

The Zimbabwean football community will be expectant of updates from the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) when the term of the NC ends on June 30, 2024.