FIFA has over the years made deliberate efforts to make sure Women’s Football takes giant leaps in terms of growth both on and off the pitch.
Football in modern times is a viable industry that rakes millions of money and Women’s Football has over the years shown progress. To widen the revenue streams, FIFA comes up with strategies.
The latest is the commercial strategy that will be piloted in Uganda and Romania before spreading elsewhere.
In Uganda, the commercial strategy attached to the FUFA Women Super League was launched on Tuesday at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.
FIFA’s delegation included Head of Development Programmes- Africa, Solomon Mudege, FIFA Lead for Women’s Football Development- Africa, Doreen Nabiwire, Abigail Lemma Hailemicheal (FIFA Development Project Coordinator – Regional Office) and Carlos Valenzuela (FIFA Expert).
Nabwire indicated that the strategy will help to build women football clubs into strong brands that will generate income in the near future.
“The launch of the FUFA Women’s Super League Commercial Strategy marks a significant milestone in the professionalization of the league. It aims to build a strong and recognizable brand, attract lucrative partnerships, and ensure long-term financial sustainability while strengthening women’s competitions in Uganda.” She said.
The Commercial Strategy is one of the new initiatives under the 13 FIFA Women’s Football Development Programmes, designed to support Member Associations in advancing the women’s game globally.
FUFA was selected by FIFA, alongside Romania, to pilot this groundbreaking programme, a true game changer that will create opportunities to monetize commercial rights and establish financially sustainable structures for women’s football.
Nabwire commended FUFA for taking the lead on the African continent in championing Women Football and programmes.
“Over the past few years, FUFA has demonstrated strong commitment and leadership in the region in developing the women’s game. The federation has maximized available development programmes, including the Women’s Football Campaign aimed at increasing participation and expanding the number of girls playing football; the League Development Programme, which has strengthened the structure of women’s competitions; the Club Licensing system, designed to raise standards across women’s leagues and clubs; and the Coach Education Scholarship,” she stated before adding, “ FIFA remains committed to supporting FUFA in the implementation of these programmes as part of the continued efforts to grow and strengthen the women’s game at the local level.”
FUFA President Hon. Moses Hassim Magogo revealed that FUFA has walked a long journey in as far as Women’s football is concerned and he believes with such strategies, the game will get better.
“Women’s football has had a very long journey here in this country. At a time when there were few girls who wanted to play football, the only option they had was to play with the boys. Eventually, teams were formed, competitions followed and stars were born. That is how we arrived where we are today. Sometimes progress is slow, but that is the right way. Football needs money at all levels, and over time we have been able to build our commercial skills, receive government support and benefit from increased FIFA funding,’ he said.
The one-day workshop also saw personalities from different scopes of work share their ideas in as far as revenue generation and brand building is concerned.
These included artiste Spice Diana, footballers Zaina Nandede, Paul Mucureezi, Anne Owori from UTB, Joanne Katushabe and Head of Marketing Finance Trust Bank.
