Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba has described the FIFA Club Professionalisation and Management Workshop as a vital step in strengthening football governance and administration across the country.
The workshop, held at Protea Hotel in Ndola, brings together FIFA officials, the FAZ Executive, Zambian Premier League representatives, and club administrators for intensive training in modern football management. FIFA Regional Lead Development Officer David Fani said the event is an opportunity to re-orient administrators on modern management skills.
In his opening remarks, Mweemba expressed his delight at participating in the milestone engagement, which brings together football stakeholders to share knowledge and plan for the game’s future.
“I am extremely delighted to be part of this historic event that brings together great football minds in one place. It is not so often that we meet as a football family to share knowledge and map out the future of our beautiful game,” he said.
He added, “Today is extra special as we have representatives from our mother body FIFA who will run us through various aspects of the management of the game during the FIFA Club Professionalisation and Management Course.”
Mweemba extended appreciation to FIFA for its consistent support to Zambian football and reaffirmed FAZ’s commitment to working closely with the global governing body.
“May I extend a warm welcome to the FIFA delegation that is here in Zambia on this special mission. On my part as president, I am greatly indebted to FIFA for having helped us walk through this leadership journey since I took over office in May,” he said. “Most notably, some members of the FIFA delegation have been present with us from the inception. Today, we take another step forward walking hand in hand with FIFA to open a new chapter in our game.”
Meanwhile, Fani emphasized that the workshop demonstrates FIFA and FAZ’s commitment to capacitating football administrators. He encouraged participants to actively engage with the facilitators throughout the course.
“We are delighted to be here this morning for the commencement of this very important initiative which demonstrates both the Football Association of Zambia and FIFA’s desire to improve club management,” Fani said.
The workshop is being facilitated by FIFA Head of Development Programmes Solomon Mudege, David Fani, MA Development Manager Sanda Rasoamahenina, and FIFA Consultant Marcos Pelegrin, alongside FAZ and Zambian Premier League officials.
The initiative aims to equip local club administrators with modern management skills, improve governance structures, and enhance the commercial and operational capabilities of Zambian football clubs, marking a significant step in the country’s football development.