Harare Administrators Challenged to Turn Learning into Action

Football administrators who completed the Harare Administration and Management Course have been challenged to make three practical improvements in their organisations within thirty days, as ZIFA strengthens its investment in the people responsible for running the game.

The five-day course concluded at ZIFA Village in Harare, with ZIFA Executive Committee member responsible for Marketing, Kudzai Kadzombe, officiating as Guest of Honour. ZIFA Vice President Kennedy Ndebele also attended the closing ceremony.

Facilitated by Archford Mamelodi, the programme formed part of Phase Three of the National Course Directors Programme. It covered governance, leadership, planning, finance, communication, competitions, club management and event organisation.

Addressing participants, Kadzombe recognised ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi and her fellow Executive Committee members for their work towards transforming Zimbabwean football on and off the field. She said investment in administrators was essential to building institutions capable of supporting the association’s ambitions.

“Progress on the field must be supported by dependable systems behind it,” Kadzombe said.

She congratulated participants on completing the programme and encouraged them to judge its value by the improvements they introduced after returning to their organisations. Better decisions and more reliable competitions, she noted, would demonstrate that the lessons had taken root.

Kadzombe challenged each participant to identify three achievable changes for implementation over the following thirty days. These could include improving financial records, clarifying committee responsibilities or establishing a dependable system for communicating fixtures.

She encouraged administrators to discuss their plans with colleagues, agree on responsibilities and review the results. The emphasis was on addressing real organisational needs through changes that participants could take responsibility for delivering.

The closing ceremony also highlighted the importance of maintaining professional standards as Zimbabwean football pursues further progress. Proper player registration, clear regulations and sound financial management help protect opportunities for players while giving clubs greater stability.

Ndebele underlined the importance of making administrative development a continuing responsibility across football structures.

“Strong football institutions depend on capable people. Take this knowledge back to your organisations and use it consistently,” Ndebele said.

The programme’s wider purpose is to help sound practices reach beyond individual participants. Administrators who share their knowledge with colleagues can improve how clubs and leagues operate, extending the benefits of training into the communities they serve.

For Kadzombe, whose Executive Committee responsibilities include marketing, professional administration also has a direct bearing on commercial confidence. Sponsors need assurance that agreements will be honoured, resources accounted for and reports provided on what an organisation has delivered.

Supporters form their own judgements through everyday experiences, including the accuracy of information, responses to enquiries and the organisation of events. Reliable administration therefore helps football build the trust needed to sustain relationships with supporters and commercial partners.

Kadzombe paid tribute to Mamelodi for the time, expertise and experience he had invested in Zimbabwean football. She said his contribution would continue through the decisions participants made and the colleagues they subsequently helped to develop.

Mamelodi encouraged participants to treat the course as a starting point for improving their work.

“The real test comes when you return to your organisations. Apply what you have learned, review your progress and keep learning,” Mamelodi said.

The subjects covered during the course connect directly to responsibilities administrators carry every week. Accurate records support accountability, timely communication helps teams prepare, and clear procedures allow committees to make decisions that others can understand and trust.

For organisations working with limited resources, a realistic annual budget helps match planned activities to the money available. Proper records allow those responsible to explain spending and make informed financial choices. These routines give a club a clearer understanding of what it can deliver and where it needs support.

Similarly, issuing fixtures and event information in good time helps clubs organise travel and preparation. Clear entry information and careful coordination make events easier for supporters to attend. These practical responsibilities show how the quality of administration influences people’s experience of football well beyond the office.

A well-managed organisation also gives coaches greater freedom to concentrate on preparing their teams. For players, particularly those entering organised football, competent administration can help ensure that registration requirements are met and development opportunities are protected.

Participant welfare remained central to Kadzombe’s closing message. She urged administrators to protect young players, ensure fair opportunities for girls and women, and make supporter safety a central consideration when planning football events.

She also acknowledged that the obligation to uphold standards applied to ZIFA’s leadership. Executive Committee members, she said, shared responsibility for accounting for their decisions and improving the service provided to the game.

Kadzombe thanked Mamelodi, the organising team and everyone who had supported the programme before officially closing the course.

The challenge for the Harare class now moves into their clubs, leagues and communities, where everyday decisions will determine how effectively the learning translates into stronger football organisations.

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