The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is taking proactive measures to meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stadium safety and security standards by organizing a high-level workshop for clubs across the Premiership, Women’s League, and Division One.
Scheduled for Harare from July 30 to August 1, this workshop will be led by CAF experts Xolile Nokuthula Vilakati from Egypt and Abdul Lukooya Sekabira from Uganda. ZIFA announced that 40 participants are expected to attend, with discussions focusing on the safety of players, spectators, and service providers within stadiums.
In a statement, ZIFA said, “The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is pleased to announce the upcoming Safe Stadium Initiative Workshop, taking place from July 30 to August 1, 2024, at Cresta Oasis in Harare.
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This workshop represents a significant step towards enhancing stadium safety and security in Zimbabwe and across Africa. It will feature sessions led by CAF instructors Xolile Nokuthula Vilakati and Abdul Lukooya Sekabira, who will bring their extensive expertise in stadium safety and security management.”
The event will also be attended by representatives from CAF and FIFA, highlighting its importance. The workshop participants include members from the Premier Soccer League, the Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League, and regional security officers, making up a total of 40 attendees. This diverse group underscores the collaborative effort to improve football stadium safety standards nationwide.
ZIFA emphasized the importance CAF places on safety and security, particularly in the stadium licensing process for international matches. CAF mandates that a stadium must have a safety and security certificate for it to be approved.
Established on February 3, 2019, the CAF safety and security department has been crucial in setting safety standards for all member associations. In June 2024, an online conference introduced the safe stadium initiative to member associations’ general secretaries and presidents. During this launch, CAF committed to training 40 individuals per member association to ensure continuous education and training.
CAF is dedicated to the ongoing training of safety and security officers, including those at the national, club, and strategic stakeholder levels. This workshop is part of CAF’s broader initiative to enhance stadium safety and security across its member countries. ZIFA’s proactive stance aims to ensure the effective implementation of CAF regulations in Zimbabwe, benefiting all stakeholders.
In line with CAF and ZIFA’s focus on safety, Harare’s Dynamos football club, set to represent Zimbabwe in the Confederation Cup, has appointed a new head of security. Patrick Fakero has been replaced by Alec Jaure to meet the criteria set by ZIFA and CAF for club safety and security officers. Dynamos CEO Jonathan Mashingaidze confirmed the change to the Premier Soccer League, ensuring compliance with club licensing requirements.
According to Article 4 of the CAF Safety and Security Regulations (2019, revised February 2020), each CAF member association club must appoint a CEO and a club safety and security officer (SSO). The SSO, who reports to the CEO on all security matters, is responsible for organizing safety and security for all football stakeholders, compiling match day and incident reports, and maintaining records of known risky supporters. Qualifications for the SSO include a strong security background, professional qualifications, and strong interpersonal skills.
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