The Sunday News
Sports Reporter
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League has shortlisted 13 people they want to be part of the Club Licencing Committee that will have between three and five members. PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said the onus was now on Zifa to put the committee in place as it is the football body’s duty to monitor football clubs with the standard regulation set by Fifa.
Ndebele, however, could not reveal the names saying it would be premature to do so.
Club licensing regulations will see clubs being required to adhere to set minimum standards with focus being on junior development, infrastructure, proper club structures and proper financial procedures among other requirements.
Ndebele said it was time clubs met the regulations.
“Clubs have been given enough time to comply with these requirements and Caf will soon be enforcing them, meaning those who do not meet the standards might find themselves being barred from taking part in continental competitions. Zifa will also have to create an appeals body for those with queries,” he said.
Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze last year said they would be appointing the committee at the beginning of the year but they were yet do so.
He said then that the committee would work closely with the Premier Soccer League and would comprise individuals independent of the PSL but who had a hawk’s eye and were conversant with requisite benchmarks.
“Club licencing is a professional template that has been developed by Fifa and Caf and is aimed at ensuring that football clubs are run properly and have facilities of their own. Clubs should have a proper executive, proof of sponsorship, lucid accounts, a technical committee comprising qualified personnel and there should also be vibrant youth development structures,’’ said Mashingaidze.
Meanwhile, Zifa competitions manager Weston Mabhande will attend a two-day Fifa Club Licensing seminar in Cairo, Egypt hosted by Fifa next month.
The symposium is set for 22 April and 23 April and all 54 member associations of Caf were invited by Fifa for the seminar.
During the two-day programme, attendees will be imparted with skills to do with implementing club licencing in their member associations, Fifa and Caf club licensing goals and objectives and new tools available for member associations.
