FAWUZ Unveils Pitch of the Month Competition to Honour Pitch Managers

The Footballers and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (FAWUZ) has launched the Pitch of the Month Competition, an initiative aimed at promoting well-maintained playing surfaces while recognising the often-overlooked contribution of pitch managers to the beautiful game.

The competition was launched on 7 October 2026 at Reiz Area in partnership with ZANACO Bank Plc, with the initiative initially targeting clubs competing in the MTN Super League.

The initiative seeks to encourage clubs to invest in the maintenance of their playing surfaces, recognising that the quality of a football pitch plays an important role in player safety, performance and career longevity.

Under the competition, visiting team captains will vote on the condition of the pitch after every match. The votes will be collated throughout the season, with the ground receiving the highest number of votes each month earning the K10,000 monthly prize, which will be awarded to the pitch manager responsible for maintaining the playing surface.

The competition will culminate in a Pitch of the Year award at the end of the season, with a K20,000 grand prize and K10,000 for the runner-up.

FAWUZ General Secretary Joe Kaunda said the initiative is also intended to give pitch managers greater recognition for their contribution to football, while encouraging clubs to take greater ownership of their facilities.

Speaking at the launch, Zambian Premier League (ZPL) Chief Executive Officer Joseph Chimpampwe, who served as Guest of Honour and represented the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) General Secretary Charles Chakatazya, welcomed the initiative as an important step towards recognising pitch managers.

Chimpampwe said the initiative would amplify work already being undertaken by the Zambian Premier League over the past three seasons to improve the standards of playing surfaces.

“Over the last three season, the League has investmented in pitch managers through specialised workshops conducted in Chipata, Solwezi and, most recently, Choma, and such programmes are important in equipping pitch managers with the knowledge and skills needed to maintain quality playing surfaces. And this initiative by FAWUZ will further motivate them to do their work in a more expectional way.”

Chimpampwe further noted that pitch managers are often overlooked despite being vital to the successful staging of football matches and the overall fan experience.

The initiative also supports the broader development of Zambian football and efforts to align the country’s football infrastructure with CAF requirements and standards.

FAWUZ says the partnership with ZANACO will provide an incentive for clubs and pitch managers to continuously improve their facilities, while creating a culture where good pitch maintenance is recognised and rewarded.

The initiative will also include media recognition, with K5,000 awards proposed for the best and most consistent coverage in three categories, Electronic media (Radio & TV), Print media and Social media/bloggers, with a total allocation of K15,000 at the end of the season.

All official MTN Super League venues will be eligible to participate, except national stadia primarily maintained by the State or other national authorities like Levy Mwanawasa and Heroes Stadium, in order to ensure fairness and encourage clubs to take greater responsibility for their own playing facilities.

Through the initiative, FAWUZ and its partners hope to improve playing surfaces, reduce avoidable injuries, enhance the match-day experience for fans and, importantly, ensure that the people working behind the scenes to make football possible receive the recognition they deserve.