FC Platinum Stars chairman Dumisani Sisale believes he has what it takes to revolutionise the local league if he gets the mandate to lead the domestic competition at the elections scheduled to take place in Harare on Friday.
The PSL vote will determine a new board, comprising a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and three executive committee members.
Among the four contenders vying for the PSL chairmanship – former Dynamos boss Isaiah Mupfurutsa (now with Simba Bhora), Masimba Chihowa of Manica Diamonds, Leonard Musariri of Ngezi Platinum, and Sisale of FC Platinum.
In a notable development, Highlanders chairman Kenneth Mhlophe is running unopposed and will assume the role of vice-chairperson.
Sisale has presented a comprehensive manifesto in which he promises to :"Reignite the Game – Reform. Empower. Excel."
His candidacy is rooted in a deep passion for the sport and a clear vision for its future.
"My vision is rooted in a deep passion for football, a commitment to good governance, and the need to modernize our league to meet international standards,” he said.
“I seek to lead a transformation that benefits clubs, players, fans, sponsors, and the nation at large.”
His overarching mission is to transform the Premier Soccer League into a commercially viable, professionally run, and globally respected football league by enhancing competitiveness, promoting youth development, ensuring financial transparency, and embracing innovation.
A central pillar of Sisale's plan is Commercialisation and Revenue Growth.
He outlines a multi-pronged strategy to boost the league's financial health.
"We will prioritise negotiating competitive and comprehensive broadcast deals that increase the visibility of the league both locally and regionally," Sisale emphasises.
The veteran administrator highlighted the importance of partnering with national broadcasters and regional networks for live match coverage and launching or licensing digital streaming platforms to reach diaspora and younger, tech-savvy audiences.
Beyond broadcast, he aims to attract corporate sponsorships and partners through league rebranding asserting that a refreshed and modern league identity will be rolled out to make the league more appealing to potential sponsors and investors.
Youth development receives significant attention in Sisale's manifesto, with policies designed to ensure a steady pipeline of talent. This includes a mandatory Under - 19 registration requiring clubs to register a minimum of five Under-19 players as part of their 30-player first team roster.
To ensure actual game time, a mandatory minutes rule will obligate each club to accumulate a minimum of 2500 minutes of playing time for Under-19 players over the course of the league season.
This commitment is further bolstered by a proposed national Under-19 Development Fund," which will allocate A fixed percentage (e.g., 10%) of the league’s commercial and broadcasting revenue annually to uplift youth football infrastructure and capacity across all regions.
Sisale is committed to establishing good governance and transparency within the ZPSL.
"We will implement open and audited financial systems for the PSL Office to ensure all revenues and expenditures are traceable, reducing the risk of mismanagement and building stakeholder confidence."
Crucially, he intends to introduce club licensing sstems aligned with CAF/Fifa standards to professionalise club operations and enhance accountability and representation through club participation in decisions, fostering a more democratic and inclusive league.
Beyond these core areas, Sisale's manifesto touches on improved club support and league competitiveness, proposing periodic financial disbursements based on performance and compliance and standardised medical, legal, and welfare policies across all teams.
He also recognises the need to invest in stadium infrastructure through strategic partnerships.
In a digital age, digital and media advancement is key, with Sisale vowing to modernise the league’s digital platforms and expand the PSL’s digital footprint across regional platforms.
Finally, a forward-thinking element is women’s football inclusion, with a commitment to create a comprehensive roadmap for women's football development and to actively encourage and assist PSL clubs to establish their own women’s football teams.
Sisale's immediate goals (first 12 months) include securing a national broadcast partner, hosting a ZPSL Indaba, launching a youth development charter, and restructuring the secretariat.
By year five, he envisions 100% of teams with active youth academies and the league broadcast in at least three regional markets, alongside a significant increase in Under-19 player minutes and overall league competitiveness.
