Football academies across Zimbabwe are preparing to submit a formal petition protesting a sharp increase in registration and affiliation fees imposed by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).

In a petition seen by this publication, academy representatives accuse ZIFA of introducing the new charges without consultation and of failing to recognise the operational costs already borne by grassroots structures tasked with nurturing the country’s next generation of players.

The backlash follows ZIFA’s announcement last week that it would assume direct control of all junior football leagues, including Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 divisions. Under the new framework, academies will be required to pay a registration fee of $3 000 and an annual levy of $2 000, bringing the baseline cost to $5 000.

In addition, academies must pay $20 per player to ZIFA and a further $6 per player to the Sports and Recreation Commission. For an academy with 100 registered players, the total annual cost would rise to $5 620.

Academy operators argue that the increases represent a dramatic shift from longstanding practice. Historically, junior football structures paid a uniform affiliation fee of $200, which they say signalled commitment to development without placing excessive strain on limited resources.

They warn that the new fees risk pricing out smaller academies, particularly those operating in rural and low-income communities where access to structured sport already faces financial constraints.

“For grassroots football in Zimbabwe, that is not regulation, that is a barrier to entry,” the petition states, adding that higher compliance costs could ultimately shrink the talent pipeline rather than strengthen it.

The academies are now calling on ZIFA to suspend the fee structure and engage stakeholders in meaningful consultations, arguing that sustainable reform must balance governance oversight with the realities on the ground.

–ChannelAfrica–