Africa lags behind in Fifa development funding

Fifa took advantage of the first ever Fifa Forward forum on the continent to emphasise that this programme provides more investment in development for members, to meet specific needs and to make sure all funds are used responsibly.

But more significantly, its clear objective is to ensure a level playing field, according to Fifa’s chief Member Associations officer, Joyce Cook.

“We’ve seen tremendous improvements and positive results from countries like Iceland and Australia, as well as the Caribbean region,” she said.

“Our role as custodians of the game is to develop the game and ensure that happens across the globe.

“As you know not every 211 MAs are in the same position, not all of them are wealthy, not all of them have the opportunities that perhaps some members in Europe have in terms of facilities.

“Our job is to ensure that we do everything we can to level that playing field, so every MAs and single person that wants to play football can do so without hindrance.”

For the next Fifa Forward Programme (2019-2022), the MAs will have a global strategy that will serve as a foundation for the diverse projects that will be implemented during the cycle.

The global strategy will allow MAs to manage the game in a sustainable manner with a positive social impact across all levels, from grassroots to professional football.

The ultimate goal is to boost the growth of football in each of the MAs’ countries by using the investments of the Fifa Forward Development Programme in an effective and responsible manner.

Fifa also says by 2022, more than US$3 billion dollars would have been spent and it has a stringent monitoring programme for the project.

“We have a procedure in place to ensure that money being approved is committed solely to football development,” Cook added.

“Those who violate this agreement (diverts funds for private use) are handed severe punishments and banned from coming close to football.

“In Africa we make conscious efforts to ensure that there is continuity in running football because a change of leadership brings about different challenges and affects growth.”

The next Fifa forward development forum on the continent is scheduled for the city of Lome in Togo on 5 December.