The FIFA-CIES International Programme in Sports Management has resumed with Block Two currently underway at the Midlands State University (MSU) Harare Campus, as participants continue their journey towards becoming the next generation of football and sports administrators.
Delivered through a partnership between the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), FIFA, CIES and Midlands State University, the internationally recognised programme is equipping professionals from across Zimbabwe’s sporting landscape with practical and academic expertise in modern sports management.
The second block, running from 20 to 25 July 2026, has brought together local and international experts to deliver intensive modules covering Finance Management, Governance for Sports Organisations, Marketing and Sponsorship, alongside research, examinations and industry presentations.
Participants have benefited from lectures led by renowned academics and industry practitioners, including CIES President Pierre Cornu, Dr Njabulo Nkomazana, Dr Mirriam Mugwati, Collins Dei of the Ghana Football Association, sports management researcher Gerard Akindes, and marketing executive Irimayi Muzorewa, among other distinguished facilitators.
The programme blends classroom learning with practical case studies, group projects and interactions with leading professionals from across the global sports industry, ensuring participants gain knowledge that can be immediately applied within football administration and the wider sporting ecosystem.
Programme Director Professor Thomas Marambanyika said the second block continues to build on the strong foundation established during the opening module, while exposing participants to contemporary issues shaping sports management across the world.
“This programme is designed to develop visionary sports leaders who are equipped with the knowledge, skills and ethical grounding required to transform football and sport. The diversity of expertise being shared during this block, from finance and governance to marketing and sponsorship, ensures that participants appreciate the interconnected nature of modern sports management,” said Professor Marambanyika.
He added that collaboration between FIFA, CIES, ZIFA and Midlands State University continues to create a unique learning environment that benchmarks Zimbabwean sports administration against international best practice.
“This partnership is about building capacity that will have a lasting impact on football and sport in Zimbabwe. By learning from leading international and local experts, participants are developing competencies that will strengthen institutions, improve governance and contribute to sustainable growth across the sporting sector.”
The programme forms part of ZIFA’s broader commitment to strengthening football governance through education and professional development, while creating a pipeline of highly skilled administrators capable of driving the game forward.
As Block Two progresses, participants will continue engaging with practical and strategic aspects of sports management before advancing to subsequent modules later in the programme, reinforcing the shared vision of FIFA, CIES, ZIFA and Midlands State University to raise professional standards within Zimbabwean football and the wider sports industry.
More News
Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 32 Draw Sets Stage for Thrilling Knockout Football
Wed 22 Jul 2026
The road to Munhumutapa Challenge Cup glory took another exciting turn today as the highly anticipated Round of 32 Grand Draw was conducted in Harare, officially unveiling the fixtures for both the men’s and women’s competitions. The colourful event brought together an impressive gathering of football stakeholders, government officials, club representatives, sponsors, administrators and members […]
Zimbabwe Football Association 2026 © All Rights Reserved