Zim PSL joins the English and others in World Leagues Forum

The Premier Soccer League has become the latest African League to join the World Leagues Forum (WLF) which comprises of football leagues from around the world.

The WLF is the world association of professional football leagues which represents 37 members. The organisation was established in 2016 and is chaired by Richard Scudamore, who is also the executive chairman of the English Premier League.

Some of the members include the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A, Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga and France’s Ligue 1. In Africa, the Zimbabwe Premier League becomes the ninth member of WLF along with Algeria, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Algeria, South Africa and Guinea.

The objectives of the World Leagues Forum are to help develop modern, effective governance structures within world football that respect football national bodies’ role, to foster cooperation between the Leagues and their member clubs through knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices with an emphasis on helping the emerging Leagues in their development and to represent the Leagues and their member clubs on all matters of common interest towards sport and political institutions.

Membership is open to any football league that operates top level competitions in their country. The Leagues must have a legal structure and statutes of their own. The leagues must also be financially independent with its own administration structure and a dedicated board.

The PSL Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Ndebele said the association with WLF would foster close ties with top flight leagues around the world as well as develop Zimbabwean football through learning from other advanced nations.

“We stand to benefit greatly from our membership as we get a chance to learn and co-operate with advanced nations in the operations and management of football competitions and all aspects of the game.” Ndebele said.

He thanked Brightwell Kadenge, a recent graduate of the FIFA master programme for facilitating the PSL’s involvement.

Kadenge said the local league stands to gain global exposure and commercial growth.

Zimbabwe has been invited to the AGM which will be held in Mexico on 29 November 2018.