MUKWIMA CHILALA writes
ZAMBIA Super League side Zanaco Football Club’s home ground, Sunset Stadium, will not have any problems in making the grade.
But the stadium needs a facelift to be able to host international assignments, declares Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) league manager Katongo Kabungo.
Kabungo expressed satisfaction with the development going on at Sunset after inspecting the facility on Wednesday morning.
FAZ inspectors conducted a pre-inspection at the home of Zanaco FC to check what is required to be done by the club in order to meet the minimum required standards to host international games.
Kabungo, in the company of two other inspectors, inspected the pitch, showers, toilets as well as the surroundings.
“In terms of the playing field and other facilities such as goal posts, nets, dressing room ventilation (air condition in the dressing rooms), the stadium will not have any problems in making the grade,” he said.
Kabungo said that FAZ was working with Super League and Division One clubs to improve football by setting up minimum standards in key areas.
The FIFA licencing system requires clubs to commit to minimum standards and principles in five key areas:
Sporting criteria such as clubs must have a youth development programme, and that clubs must promote fair play infrastructure criteria as clubs must have safe, comfortable stadiums for fans, families and media clubs must have training facilities.
Personnel and administrative criteria such as clubs must have qualified coaches and medical staff and professional, well-educated management.
Clubs must adhere to international statutes, club ownership must be transparent and fair.
Zanaco are this season in the hunt for a league title which would guarantee the team a slot in the CAF Champions League for the 2019/2019 restructured season.
A second position on the log would also guarantee the side playing in the Confederations Cup and hosting the continental games at Sunset Stadium.
The stadium, the home of Zanaco, has over the months been undergoing some facelift which has seen some new structures at the stadium in preparation for continental games.
