Zambian Institute of Sport Appoints International Visiting Fellows to Strengthen New ZPL Certificate in Football Administration and Club Management
The Zambian Institute of Sport (ZIS) has announced the appointment of distinguished international scholars as Visiting Fellows in a strategic move to strengthen its newly introduced ZPL Certificate in Football Administration and Club Management.
The first appointment under this initiative is Ms Lydia Monyepao-Yele, a globally respected sport executive and current Chief Executive Officer and General Secretary of the South African Football Association (SAFA).
The ZPL Certificate in Football Administration and Club Management has been designed to professionalise football leadership in Zambia by equipping administrators, club executives, and football practitioners with advanced competencies in governance, financial management, commercial strategy, regulatory compliance, and high-performance sport administration. The programme aligns with global best practice standards and responds to the growing need for structured leadership development within the Zambian Premier League and broader football ecosystem.
According to ZIS leadership, the appointment of international Visiting Fellows is central to achieving the Institute’s strategic objective of delivering world-class sport education anchored in African realities and global expertise.
A Leader Aligned with ZIS Vision
Ms Monyepao-Yele brings over two decades of experience in sport governance, executive leadership, and financial management. As CEO and General Secretary of SAFA, she leads organisational strategy, stakeholder engagement, and governance reform at national, continental, and global levels.
Her career spans senior leadership roles including Chief Operations Officer at SAFA and Deputy Director of TuksSport at the University of Pretoria. She began her professional journey in accounting and audit at Ernst & Young, building a strong financial foundation that has shaped her governance-driven leadership approach.
A former South African international footballer, she has represented her country at major continental and global competitions, giving her both executive and athlete-centred perspectives on football administration.
Academically, she holds a Master’s degree in Sport Management from Loughborough University (UK), alongside degrees in commerce and accounting. She has completed executive leadership programmes with FIFA, UEFA, CAF, COSAFA, IMD, and leading business schools, reinforcing her global standing in sport governance and administration.
Strengthening Academic and Strategic Partnerships
Ms Monyepao-Yele maintains a strong professional and academic relationship with ZIS Chairperson, Professor Oscar Mwaanga, through their association with the University of London’s international sport management networks. She has been mentored within a global leadership framework that intersects sport governance, education, and institutional development.
Her appointment also reflects her longstanding engagement with football development professionals across the region, including former FAZ Technical Director Lyson Zulu and current Women’s Football Officer Annie Namukanga. These professional collaborations strengthen the Institute’s regional and continental networks and enhance knowledge exchange between Zambia and broader African football structures.
ZIS leadership notes that her experience directly supports the objectives of the ZPL Certificate programme, particularly in:
Building the Future of Football Leadership in Zambia
The ZPL Certificate in Football Administration and Club Management is positioned as a transformative step toward elevating standards in the management of Zambian football. By integrating international visiting fellows into the programme, ZIS aims to ensure that local administrators are exposed to contemporary global best practices while remaining grounded in local realities.
Ms Monyepao-Yele will contribute through specialist lectures, leadership seminars, mentorship engagements, and strategic advisory input into curriculum development.
Her appointment signals the Institute’s commitment to bridging academia and practice, strengthening professional pathways within football administration, and positioning Zambia as a regional leader in structured sport education.
Further appointments of international scholars are expected to be announced in the coming months as ZIS continues to expand its academic and professional footprint.