FIFA efforts to make football truly global demands stragetic planning and tailor-made programmes that can transform the game fully.
Over the years, FIFA has come out with different programmes in several areas such as governance, coaching, football business, financial management and capacity building among others.
Last year, FIFA introduced the FIFA Coach Educators’ Development Pathway. High-quality coaching is fundamental to strengthening the football environment.
The objective of the aforementioned programme is for member associations to develop their own coach educators in the best possible way.
By developing home-grown coach educators, member associations will improve the standard of coaching education, become self-supporting and maximise talent development. FIFA’s coaching development philosophy is football-driven, learner-centred, competence-based and context-dependent.
The FIFA Coach Educators’ Development Pathway provides personal, social and professional development opportunities, with an emphasis on adult-learning principles and a reality-based approach, according to the context and environment of each member association.
In Africa, Women football coaches from 19 African countries convened in Rabat, Morocco for a four-day workshop (15-19th September).
The countries that had representatives included; Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Uganda was represented by Kampala Queens assistant coach Sharon Kizza.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino who was in Morocco took time to speak to the participants and highlighted how crucial they are in terms of making a difference in their respective countries.
“You will give hope, make dreams come true and hopefully train future world Champions but most importantly, bring smiles to millions of young girls and help FIFA use the magic of football to transform and empower lives. I have great admiration for all of you, representing the great diversity of this continent and showing everyone once more that football truly unites the world.” He said.
On the sidelines of the workshop, Infantino also met the newly elected Member Association Presidents in Africa. These included Fabrice Shema – FERWAFA (Rwanda), Francis Amin – SSFA (South Sudan) and Abdoulaye Fall – FSF (Senegal).
