Zimbabwe Launches World-Class FIFA-CIES Sports Management Programme

Zimbabwe has taken a decisive step towards the professionalisation of sport with the official launch of the MSU/ZIFA/FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management, a globally recognised qualification now being delivered in the country for the first time.

The programme was officially launched in Harare, bringing together Government, academia, football leadership and international partners in a powerful show of collaboration and shared purpose. The initiative is being delivered by Midlands State University in partnership with the Zimbabwe Football Association, FIFA and the International Centre for Sports Studies, positioning Zimbabwe within an elite global network of institutions shaping the future of sports administration.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Emily Jesaya welcomed the programme as a milestone for national sports development, noting its alignment with Government’s vision of building strong, accountable and professionally run sporting institutions.

“This programme reflects the direction we want sport in Zimbabwe to take,” said Deputy Minister Jesaya. “It shows what is possible when Government, universities, sports associations and international partners work together. Sport is no longer sustained by passion alone. It must be managed with skill, integrity and professionalism, and this initiative directly addresses that need.”

The FIFA-CIES International Programme in Sports Management is a one-year diploma that equips current and aspiring sports administrators with knowledge across key areas such as governance, finance, marketing, communication, law and event management. Delivered through a mix of face-to-face and online learning, the programme combines academic rigour with real-world case studies and exposure to international best practice.

For Zimbabwe Football Association, the launch represents a critical pillar of its ongoing institutional reform agenda. ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi described the programme as an investment in people and systems rather than short-term solutions.

“This is about building the foundations of football and sport in Zimbabwe,” said Magwizi. “Modern sport demands professional leadership, sound governance and informed decision-making. By bringing the FIFA-CIES programme to Zimbabwe, we are ensuring that our administrators are equipped to lead with competence and credibility. This is also ZIFA and Midlands State University delivering on the Memorandum of Understanding we signed last year to provide world-class learning opportunities that build capacity not only for football, but for sport as a whole.”

The partnership with Midlands State University has been central to making the programme a reality. MSU becomes the newest African institution to join the FIFA-CIES International University Network, which spans over 20 universities across five continents.

MSU Vice-Chancellor Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa said the programme reflects the university’s commitment to applied, impactful education that responds to national development needs.

“This programme is a landmark for our university and for Zimbabwe,” said Professor Muzvidziwa. “Sport is a growing social and economic sector, and it requires administrators who understand leadership, governance and innovation. Through this partnership with ZIFA, FIFA and CIES, we are positioning Midlands State University at the forefront of professional sports management education and contributing meaningfully to the development of sport in Zimbabwe and beyond.”

International partners also underlined the significance of Zimbabwe joining the FIFA-CIES global education family. CIES representative Vincent Monnier welcomed the launch as an important expansion of the programme’s footprint in Africa.

“The FIFA-CIES programme was created to help sports organisations meet the increasing complexity of modern sport,” said Monnier. “We are proud to see Zimbabwe become part of this international network. This programme connects local administrators to global knowledge, global standards and a worldwide alumni community. It is not only about learning, but about building lasting professional networks that strengthen sport at national and regional level.”

The launch was also attended by senior officials from the Sports and Recreation Commission, representatives of various sporting codes, club administrators and prospective participants, underscoring the programme’s relevance beyond football. While football remains the anchor, the curriculum is designed to serve administratorsacross multiple sports, promoting a shared culture of professionalism, accountability and ethical leadership.

Government reaffirmed its support for initiatives that strengthen human capital in sport, recognising that effective administration is essential for athlete welfare, commercial sustainability and public trust. Through the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the SRC, Zimbabwe continues to encourage partnerships that blend education, governance reform and international cooperation.

The programme will run from April to December 2026, with limited enrolment to ensure quality and engagement. Participants will benefit from instruction by experienced local academics, industry practitioners and international experts, as well as opportunities to interact with the wider FIFA-CIES University Network.

As Zimbabwe embarks on this new chapter, the launch of the MSU ZIFA FIFA CIES International Programme in Sports Management stands as a clear statement of intent. It signals a shift from informal administration to evidence-based management, from isolated effort to strategic partnership, and from short-term fixes to sustainable institutional development.

For Zimbabwean sport, the message is unmistakable: the future will be built by knowledgeable, skilled and principled leaders, and that future has officially begun.

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