ZIFA to host FIFA club professionalisation and management course in Harare

HARARE – The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) will host a FIFA Club Professionalisation and Management course in Harare on October 9 and 10.

Announcing the development on its website, ZIFA wrote: “Zimbabwean football takes another decisive step forward on October 9 and 10, when the FIFA Club Professionalisation and Management course is hosted in Harare.”

The course will bring together senior administrators from across the game.

Each Premier Soccer League club will send two members of its top management, while the Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League will delegate one decision-maker per club, underlining FIFA’s emphasis on women’s football.

From Division One, only administrators from the two current log leaders in each of the four regional leagues will attend, a deliberate choice to equip those closest to promotion with tools for survival and growth at higher levels.

This is the second phase of the groundbreaking programme, following the inaugural course held in Angola last year.

“In a nation where football is more than a game, this is more than a course. It is a building block towards restoring Zimbabwe’s rightful place in the global football family,” ZIFA said.

“Determined not to be left behind, Zimbabwe raised its hand to host, ensuring local clubs benefit from a global initiative designed to reshape football governance.

“Unlike coaching or technical seminars, this programme focuses squarely on club management, aiming to strengthen governance, financial sustainability, commercial growth, and long-term planning.

“For too long, Zimbabwean football has been hampered by weak structures, poor financial controls, and short-term thinking.

“FIFA’s course provides a blueprint to reverse that trend, planting professionalism at the core of every club.

“Modern football demands more than results on the pitch. Clubs must function as businesses, cultural institutions, and community anchors.

“Without sound management, they risk collapse, talent drain, and continental irrelevance. Professionalisation means transparent governance, proper financial reporting, strong marketing, and sustainable youth systems.

“Effective management means efficiency, accountability, and vision.”

The event comes barely a month after Zimbabwe also hosted the COSAFA Under-17 Championship.