IN what will likely add flesh to calls for a Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) constitutional review, sportszone today reveals that the country’s flagship league, the Premier Soccer League is not a member of Zifa despite the PSL paying its annual statutory dues to the national association.

According to the ZIFA constitution, the congress has 62 delegates although at the moment they are 58 as the national division one league, which will provide four delegates, is yet to be formed.

Members of ZIFA instead are the 16 PSL clubs, not the league as an assembly, according to Article 10 of the ZIFA constitution. 

Other members are the four Division One leagues, 10 provincial leagues, four area zones, Naph and Nash, National Association of Tertiary Institutions, Zimbabwe Women Soccer League, beach soccer and Futsal.

Calls to increase the number of PSL clubs to 18 will also have to come after the constitutional review process as the ZIFA bible clearly states that 16 PSL clubs will be recognized as ZIFA delegates.

While the PSL has been paying close to $10 000 in affiliation fees to the national association, this has been happening illegally as only members of ZIFA ought to pay the affiliation fees.

The PSL constitution however states that it shall be affiliated to ZIFA.

“PSL is a non-profit making organisation of an associative nature affiliated to ZIFA, in compliance with the legislation of Zimbabwe. It is formed for an unlimited period,” reads Article 1 of the PSL Statutes as amended on February 22, 2014.

In November last year the Sport and Recreation Commission called for an extensive constitution review process that provides for good corporate governance.

“In this particular instance, the need to define in detail, the expected conduct of both the aspiring candidates for ZIFA positions and the members who constitute the association’s Electoral College is paramount. 

An extensive review process of ZIFA’s constitution, regulations, codes and other regulatory instruments should therefore be among the top priorities of the new Zifa board,” former  SRC director-general Charles Nhemachena was quoted saying.

 The Members of ZIFA are:

a)   The Clubs of the Premier Soccer League;

b)   The National League (once established);

c)   The regional Leagues, consisting of:

- The Northern Region Division One League;

- The Southern Region Division One League;

- The Eastern Region Division One League;

- The Central Region Division One League;

d)   The provincial Leagues, consisting of:

- The Bulawayo Provincial League;

- The Harare Provincial League;

- The Manicaland Provincial League;

- The Mashonaland Central Provincial League;

- The Mashonaland East Provincial League;

- The Mashonaland West Provincial League;

- The Masvingo Provincial League;

- The Matabeleland South Provincial League;

- The Matabeleland North Provincial League;

- The Midlands Provincial League;

e)   The Area Zones

f)    The National Association of Primary School Leagues;

g)   The National Association of Secondary School Leagues;

h)   The National Association of Tertiary Institutions Leagues;

i)    The Zimbabwe Women Soccer League;

j)    The Beach Football Groups;

k)   The Futsal Football Groups;