Zanzibar Vice President calls for stronger football rules as Zanzibar eyes AFCON 2027 windfall

Zanzibar Second Vice-President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla has called for stronger regulations and increased investment in football as the Isles position themselves to benefit from opportunities associated with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Hemed made the call at the fourth Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) Awards Ceremony held at the New Amaan Complex on Sunday, where he stressed the need for reforms to create a more professional and commercially viable football industry.

He said government investment in sports infrastructure, including the Zanzibar Sports City in Fumba, formed part of broader preparations for the continental tournament.

“The facility forms part of preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that is expected to unlock wide-ranging economic opportunities for Zanzibar and Tanzania as a whole,” he said.

Hemed wants football gaps closed

According to Hemed, ZFF has made notable progress in football governance, domestic competitions and the adoption of digital systems designed to improve transparency and efficiency.

He also pointed to the increasing involvement of Zanzibar clubs in regional and international competitions, saying their participation was helping to raise the Islands’ profile and expose local football to wider opportunities.

However, he urged the federation to do more to address challenges affecting clubs, referees, coaches and players.

Hemed said stronger legal and regulatory frameworks were necessary to create an environment capable of attracting sponsors and investors while allowing football to develop into an industry that could generate employment.

He further appealed to the Zanzibar Premier League Board and ZFF to work closely with clubs to prevent vandalism at sports facilities.

The Second Vice-President said professionalism, discipline and compliance with established standards must become central to the development of football in Zanzibar.

AFCON preparations expected to create jobs

Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports Riziki Pembe Juma also underlined the economic importance of sports, particularly its potential to create employment opportunities for young people.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting ZFF and encouraged athletes and the wider public to prepare to take advantage of opportunities expected to emerge from AFCON 2027.

ZFF Vice-President Yahya Abdalla Shamuni said the federation was implementing reforms aimed at bringing football administration closer to international standards.

Shamuni also called for sports facilities across Zanzibar to be used more effectively and said the government would support efforts to attract additional sponsors for domestic competitions.

ZFF Secretary General Hussein Ahmada Vuai said ongoing investment in stadia and other sports infrastructure was creating fresh opportunities for football and the wider sports sector.

TFF calls for greater cooperation

Representing the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), Tanzania Premier League Board Chief Executive Officer Cornel Barnabas urged football administrators, clubs, players and other stakeholders to respect the rules governing the game.

He stressed that continued cooperation between TFF and ZFF would be crucial to strengthening football across Tanzania.

With Zanzibar preparing to benefit from the wider economic impact of AFCON 2027, the federation has been urged to ensure that improvements in infrastructure are matched by stronger governance, professionalism and investment across the football ecosystem.