Sports Writer
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has announced plans to establish a new head office and technical centre in Harare, alongside regional football facilities in Masvingo and Gweru, as part of efforts to strengthen football administration and development across the country.
The association has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP), inviting landowners, property developers, real estate companies, institutions, local authorities, trusts and other eligible entities to submit proposals for suitable land for the planned developments.
According to the request for proposals, ZIFA is seeking at least 10 hectares of land within a 30-kilometre radius of Harare’s city centre for its proposed head office and technical centre.
For the regional facilities, the association requires a minimum of one hectare each in Masvingo and Gweru. The land in both cities must be located within a 30-kilometre radius of the respective city centres.
ZIFA has stipulated that all properties must have valid title deeds, comply with applicable statutory and planning requirements, and be legally available for transfer.
The association has outlined several possible arrangements for acquiring the land, including outright purchase, full donation, a combination of donation and purchase, or a commercial partnership involving a long-term lease of at least 25 years.
Interested parties have been invited to submit written proposals electronically, clearly detailing their proposed terms, conditions and benefits.
The association said the planned infrastructure would support the long-term development of football in Zimbabwe while serving the wider public interest.
As a non-profit organisation, ZIFA has also encouraged proposals that recognise the national and community value of the projects, including philanthropic contributions, social investment and partnership arrangements.
The proposed developments are expected to provide infrastructure for the association’s administrative operations and football development programmes, while expanding its capacity to support the game beyond the capital.
The initiative comes as ZIFA seeks to strengthen the facilities needed to support football administration and development at national and regional levels.