In today’s edition of INSIDE FIFA TODAY, we are going to discuss the core development programme of FIFA especially on grass root football. Its obvious the remarkable contribution made by FIFA to world’s football over the years arguably with the power which goes beyond playing the game to promoting peace and security. Now, FIFA has instituted the FIFA FORWARD football development. This piece was retrieved from the Official website of FIFA.com to educate the stakeholders of football and the role they can play for the effective implementation of the programme. This piece is a questions and answers segment that would enable us fully understand the programme better.Lets proceed!
What is the FIFA Forward Programme about?
Ans: FIFA Forward is a “step change” for global football development and the way we share the success of the FIFA World Cup with our member associations.
We understand its built on some principles, what are they?
Ans: It is built on three principles to provide 360 degree, tailor-made support for football development in each of our member associations and the six confederations:
- more investment,
- more impact,
- more oversight.
What is then the main aim of the programme?
Ans: The aim is to improve the way we develop and support football across the globe, so that the sport can reach its potential in every nation and so that everyone that wants to take part can do so without barriers.
Such require huge investment, how possible?
Ans: More investment
We are significantly increasing our financial support for member associations and football development to 5 million USD per four-year cycle for each member association from 1.6 million USD per cycle.
Then what share can a member association have and what does it entails?
Ans: This means each association has access to 750,000 US dollars per year for football projects such as pitches, competitions and women’s football.
Who bares the additional cost in executing this programme? MA or FIFA, if so what proportion of amount would be factored?
Ans: And every association also receives up to 500,000 US dollars per year for running costs in areas including administration and governance.
Why is FIFA providing such support to the Member Associations and Confederations?
Ans: We are increasing our financial support for the six confederations so that they can do more to develop football in their regions.
Confederations now receive 40 million US dollars per four-year cycle for football development, up from 22 million US dollars.
In which other areas is FIFA supporting so far is this programme is concern?
Ans: We are providing extra help to member associations that need it, from football equipment and internship programmes to up to 1 million US dollars to cover travel costs so that women’s and youth teams can compete in international competitions.
Regional Youth is also a priority, which proportion of the funds goes into that?
Ans: And we will give regional associations up to 1 million dollars per year to reimburse the cost of organising regional youth competitions for young women and men.
Don’t you think FIFA Forward programme aim is beyond just infrastructure development?
Ans: More impact
We aim to improve the impact and efficiency of our investment in development, achieving better and more sustainable results so that football can thrive everywhere.
We are bringing together all of our football project support into one tailor-made contract of agreed objectives and a development plan to meet the specific needs and challenges of each association.
This means our member associations receive comprehensive and intelligent support, depending on their circumstances and the priorities and objectives they set for themselves, so that we make the most out of every dollar spent on football.
There are so many strategic priorities pertaining the FIFA Forward programme which thematic areas would be given attention?
Ans:We will focus on priority areas for the growth of global football, such as playing infrastructure, women’s and youth football, and domestic competitions.
We want to encourage best practice in football administration among our member associations, so that football has a strong foundation around the world.
We know such programme would not be achieved without motivating deserving association who judiciously yield positive results?
Ans: We will reward associations for fulfilling a range of criteria that we believe are necessary for the sustainable and responsible management of football at national level.
How would the expenditure side of the programme be financed taking into consideration running cost?
Ans: As part of Forward’s annual “running costs” funding per association, members receive basic support of 100,000 US dollars per year. They can then receive additional annual funding of 50,000 US dollars for each of the following criteria they fulfil, up to an additional 400,000 dollars each year:
- Employing a general secretary
- Employing a technical director
- Organising a men’s league
- Organising a women’s league
- Organising a men’s youth league
- Organising a women’s youth league
- Women’s football promotion and development strategy
- Good governance/integrity programme
- Grassroots football promotion and development strategy
- Refereeing promotion and development strategy
We know from earlier discussion women’s football would be given priority?
Ans: At least two of the areas that member associations can focus on for this extra funding must cover women’s football.
What advice and control measures would you share with the 6 Confederations and 211 Member associations?
Ans: More oversight
It is vital that these funds are used in the correct way so that they have the maximum impact for football on the ground.
We are introducing enhanced oversight controls to ensure that this increase in football development spending is transparent, carefully managed and effective.
- One contract of agreed objectives per association, setting the strategy for development over two to four years, approved by the Development Committee.
- All tailor-made projects must be linked to the contract of agreed objectives; any project above USD 300’000 to be approved by the Development Committee.
- FIFA administration to monitor the progress of projects.
- Independent financial audits of Forward funds for each association.
- Enhanced Development regulations, including greater powers of oversight and tougher compliance measures.
- At least 50 percent independent FIFA Development Committee to oversee Forward programme.
- Publication of independent audits of member associations’ annual finances
Source: (FIFA.com)
This piece, even though referenced by FIFA.com, does not fully entails all relevant portion of the programme.This was herein meant to educate or enlighten football stakeholders in Ghana, Africa and beyond.
TO BE CONTINUE….
Join me in my next edition of Inside FIFA today, as I bring to you educational aspect of the game, business related issues surrounding the game, developmental projects especially grass root development, policies and reforms in world football. Let’s promote football in the world.
INSIDE FIFA today: “making football educative, informative and innovative”
Host: Hanson Emmanuel