Football is a business and it should be led as suc...

Football is a business and it should be led as such

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

The notion that football is a social activity has kept Zimbabwe lagging behind the rest of the serious football world. Football is the pinnacle of global sporting business and it is being run that way. The future of Zimbabwean football needs to be entrusted into the hands of a visionary business minded leader who will be able to walk into boardrooms and make a business impact for the sport.

The South African Football Association remains a relatable example of the business of football. According to their last annual report, “Revenue increased by 4% to R237 million (USD12.6m) which is still 25% off from our targeted range of R300 to R350 million (USD160.5m to USD187m)

“This increase is 20% over a two-year period; therefore, we project to reach our targeted range within the next three years. Our emphasis on innovations, smart approach, and creativity in dealing with broadcast revenue, following the trends and approach of successful Associations in North America and Europe, will be paramount as we navigate the next five years.” The United States Soccer Federation is set to make US$193million in revenue in 2024 England’s Football Association generated of 481.8 m Pounds (USD 605.72m) and an operating profit of 39.4m Pounds (USD49.53m) Football demands a meaningful bottom line. It requires a functional business development side and a strong commercial component that will drive junior development

The professional side of football, when done right, will boost the social side. A financially powerful football association will have funds available for investment in social causes and can seriously create opportunities for life changing investment into the lives of players, administrators and even fans.

People running around on dusty pitches in high density areas, with no ablution facilities and no seating, speaks directly to a limited view of what football has become. Corporate partnership and sponsorships have become the bedrock on which football is run and without an appreciation of the inner workings of this side of business, it meansany leader is doomed to performing dismally

Football no longer needs to be led by someone because they had a great playing career. Their talent on the field does not transfer automatically to the world of business, and while it is Football is not a philanthropic venture where someone comes into leadership with a track record of giving assorted handouts to former players and players.

Football should never be a kiddie’s game where anyone with a botte store can buy some cheap t-shirts, print his name across the front and have national teams warm up in those t-shirts while calling it sponsorship.

The space on national team and club uniforms is prime visibility space and a business minded leader can initiate programmes that will bring a commercial planning element into each club from the lowest level up to the national team.

Recent partnerships show there is an appreciation of this concept with the Warriors receiving sizeable partnership amounts for visibility.

Local players going off to look for contracts in Zambia, Tanzania and other nations does not paint a good picture of the state of our football. Our lack of facilities further creates headaches for the nation’s favourite sport. A homeless football federation defies credibility. This is why football needs a business minded leader.

A leader who will create the environment that has allowed clubs like Al Ahli, Zamalek to retain players in Egypt; the same environment that has allowed TP Mazembe to keep players in the DRC and the same mindset that has allowed Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaiser Chiefs to retain key talent in South Africa. Zimbabwe has the commercial potential to achieve this. It just needs a football leader who appreciates the relationship between business and football.

When the factors outlined above are called into consideration, Nqobile Magwizi makes a compelling case for himself. He has been directly involved in structuring positive deals for the country’s biggest clubs and Is leading the charge to bring national football back to Zimbabwe through renovations to the National Sports Stadium. The business executive provides a refreshing outlook to the face of football.

Untainted by football related scandals and carrying a positive business name, he brings a fresh perspective to the game. Of all the confirmed names on the list, he stands out as the one with the clearest manifesto for moving the game out of its social mindset and into step with the leading lights of the sport.

Zimbabwe needs to take football seriously and choosing the right leader is a good way to begin.