FUFA CEO Mr. Edgar Watson and his Deputy Mr. Sam Bakiika are in South Africa at the Nelson Mandel University-Port Elizabeth attending the FIFA Executive Programme for African General Secretaries and Top FIFA Forward Staff.
The duo is undergoing the two more modules in areas of strategic planning and project management (module 3), marketing and sponsorship (module 4.
On 31 October, FIFA and the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University (NMU), launched a Football Executive Programme for African General Secretaries and top FIFA Forward staff members in Port Elizabeth.
This was the first time a capacity building programme was organised by FIFA and its partners for English-speaking Member Associations (MAS) in the region. Both Watson and Bakiika attended the opening two modules that highlighting the latest and most innovative best practices and research in football organisation, including sessions focused on organisation of world Football, administration and finance. Through the Football Executive Programme, FIFA and CIES aim to professionalise and harmonise the MAs top level management in Africa by addressing local needs and providing practical outputs.
‘It is a good session where we are learning a lot and how to manage football in Africa and especially back in my country. Bakiika and I have picked a lot in terms of football knowledge which will improve on our systems at the secretariat and other structures’ said FUFA CEO Edgar Watson.
With the help of such interactive and oriented programmes, FIFA and CIES are striving to keep fostering football development worldwide according to the specific needs of all MAs on the ground, focusing on their progress towards more professionalisation as well as long-lasting and impactful football development.
In both courses, each participant will have to take part in all the different modules in order to obtain an official certificate once the programme is completed.
FUFA has a vision of becoming the number one football Nation in Africa both on and off the pitch.
MAIN PHOTO:  L-R Cape Verde FA General Secretary Dan Merkel , FUFA Deputy CEO Sam Bakiika , Florie Ramogodi Programme Officer (Botswana Football Association), FUFA CEO Edgar Watson and Ethiopia FA General Secretary Eyasu Merhatsidk Gebreegziabher at the FIFA Executive Programme in South Africa