ZIFA Administrators Course Underway at ZIFA Village

The ZIFA Village is once again a hub of learning and progress as the ZIFA Administrators Course gets underway, bringing together football leaders from across the country in a shared effort to strengthen the game from the inside out.

Facilitated by seasoned football administrator Archford Mamelodi, the course has attracted a diverse group of participants drawn from Zimbabwe’s regions and provinces. The cohort reflects the full spectrum of the local football ecosystem, with administrators working at elite and grassroots levels including clubs, academies, the Premier Soccer League Zimbabwe, development leagues and schools.

Among the notable participants are Rodwell Thabe, Chief Executive Officer of the Premier Soccer League, and Yvonne Manwa, former Chief Executive Officer of ZIFA. Their presence underlines the importance being placed on continuous learning and professional development at every level of the game.

The programme has been deliberately structured to go beyond theory, with a strong emphasis on practical engagement. Participants are working through a mix of individual and group assignments, designed to mirror real-world challenges faced by football administrators on a daily basis. The sessions are highly interactive, encouraging the exchange of ideas, experiences and solutions that can be applied across different contexts within Zimbabwean football.

Speaking during the course, Mamelodi highlighted the significance of investing in administrative capacity as a foundation for long-term success. “This course is about more than just knowledge transfer,” he said. “It is about shaping a new generation of football administrators who understand the game, who can plan effectively, and who can run organisations in a professional and sustainable way. When administrators are strong, the entire football structure benefits.”

The ZIFA Acting General Secretary, Norman Gwangwadza, echoed those sentiments, stressing that the development of capable administrators is central to the association’s broader vision for the game. “We often focus on players and coaches, which is important, but strong administration is what holds everything together,” said Gwangwadza. “From grassroots football right up to the national teams, we need competent, ethical and forward-thinking administrators. This course is part of our commitment to building that capacity across the entire football pyramid.”

The initiative reflects a growing recognition that the future of Zimbabwean football will not be shaped on the pitch alone. Effective governance, sound planning and professional management are increasingly seen as critical pillars in the development of a competitive and sustainable football ecosystem.

By bringing together administrators from different levels of the game, the course is also helping to build a shared understanding of standards, expectations and best practice. This alignment is key to ensuring that talent pathways are well managed, competitions are properly organised and institutions are run with transparency and accountability.

As the sessions continue at ZIFA Village, the message is clear: investing in people behind the scenes is just as important as developing those on the field. With a new generation of administrators being equipped with the right skills and mindset, Zimbabwean football is taking meaningful steps towards a more professional, organised and resilient future.

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