FIFA club professionalisation and management programme kicks off
The Programme aimed at enhancing club football management was officially opened by FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim who was in the company of FUFA 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha and FUFA 3rd Vice President Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi.
Also present were FUFA Executive Committee Members; Rogers Byamukama, Rogers Mulindwa, Sam Mpiima, Ronnie Kalema, Apollo Ahimbisibwe and Dan Obote.
FUFA CEO Edgar Watson Suubi, FUFA Deputy CEO-Services Humphrey Mandu and StarTimes Uganda Premier League CEO Bernard Bainamani also attended the event.
FIFA’s delegation was headed by Solomon Mudege, the Head of FIFA Development Programmes- Africa, Marcos Picallo Aguilar- FIFA Senior Professional Football Manager and Development, Davis Ndeyisenga- FIFA Lead Regional Office MA Division CECAFA, Silmara Sousa- MA Regional Coordinator, FIFA Development Programmes and Osman Salah- MA Africa Coordinator, Member Associations Africa.
Others included Abigail Haile Michael – MA Development Manager FIFA Member Association Regional Office and Kaly Keza- FIFA Member Association Regional Office Kigali
The FIFA instructors included Marcos Pelegrin, Javier Jose Pedro Sobribo and Pedro Manuel Correia Miranda.
In his remarks, FUFA President called upon Club administrators to embrace such Programmes because they help in transforming the League in areas such as governance, business and sporting.
“We are glad that FIFA’s support is not limited to only Federations (MAs) but even Clubs are benefiting from Projects like this one. As FUFA, we extend our sincere thanks to FIFA and it is now upon the club administrators here to partake of the information and knowledge shared in order to become better brands,” he said before adding.
“Knowledge is power and you need it to transform society. I therefore implore our clubs to fully embrace this Programme.”
FIFA Head of Development Programmes-Africa Solomon Mudege indicated this Programme will in the long run help football clubs in Africa to holistically develop.
“This Programme is a core activity of FIFA in order to build capacity in clubs and Leagues so that there is holistic growth of the game in the long run.”
Marcos Picallo Aguilar – Senior Professional Football Manager and Development- FIFA revealed that this Programme has been rolled out to 11 African countries and Clubs will be tasked to share their strategic plans later.
FIFA will then select clubs with the best strategic plans and invite them to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in USA for further programmes.
Day one of the workshop dwelled on two topics namely Strategic Planning and Governance.
Participants (StarTimes Uganda Premier League Club Chairmen and CEOs) were taken through various modules how they can formulate strategic plans, club organisational structures and separation of powers among others.
Day Two (Friday) which is the final day of the workshop will put emphasis on financial, brand and marketing strategies.
